Fee waivers, sliding scales and scholarships published by the
organizations that run these programs — each with who is eligible and the page
that decides it. Nothing here is estimated from a family's income, and a program with
no aid published simply does not appear. A few are awards toward college rather than
help with a program fee; those are labelled College scholarship.
13 schemes serve Burlington families.
Scholarship
Burlington Parks & Recreation Department (Town of Burlington)
Burlington Parks & Recreation Financial Assistance Policy
Reduced registration fees ('scholarships') for Burlington residents toward Parks & Recreation Department programs, awarded as up to 75% off for verified financial need and up to 50% off for personal or family hardship.
- Who is eligible
- Burlington residents only, with proof of residency (a driver's license or photo ID, OR a utility bill mailed to the home within the past 30 days, OR a purchase-and-sale/lease agreement showing a Burlington address). Applicants receiving aid from a federal, state or local agency, or referred by their school, Burlington Youth & Family Services, or another social-service agency, may be eligible for up to 75% off; residents not currently receiving such aid may be eligible for up to 50% off for personal or family hardship. Limited to two programs per person each season; trips, special events and some contracted programs, and equipment and supplies, are not included. Applicants receive a written response within five business days and pay their share on approval. Programs held at Simonds Park are funded from Simonds Trust funds and carry a small processing fee.
Fee waiver
Burlington Public Schools
Burlington Public Schools Financial Assistance Program
Central financial-assistance program providing a prorated subsidy for qualifying families toward certain school-related fees and curriculum-based field-trip expenses.
- Who is eligible
- Policy adopted by the School Committee on 26 October 2021. Available to households earning less than 350% of the US Department of Health & Human Services poverty guidelines, with the subsidy prorated by income band and household size. Covers curriculum-based field-trip expenses and other curriculum-required fees; it does not cover optional trips or student travel (e.g. overnight trips). Applications are available in ParentSquare. Fees are not waived, refunded or prorated without the Business Office determination letter, and no principal, counsellor or staff member may waive fees without it. Questions: financialassistance@burlingtonpublicschools.org.
Financial aid
Burlington Public Schools
Burlington Public Schools meals at no cost
Breakfast and lunch are served at no cost to every Burlington student, funded through the USDA and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; the meal-benefit application remains the route to Sun Bucks and SNAP.
- Who is eligible
- Meals are free to all students in all BPS schools (universal, with no income test at the point of service). The separate meal-benefit application is income-tested on USDA free/reduced-price guidelines and, for qualifying families, unlocks Sun Bucks (summer grocery benefits) and can qualify the household for SNAP; the household income information families provide is confidential.
Financial aid
People Helping People, Inc.
Burlington Community Food Pantry
Weekly food assistance (non-perishable goods, fresh produce, dairy, meat, bread and prepared foods) for registered Burlington households, plus holiday meal and gift programs.
- Who is eligible
- Open to Burlington residents who show proof of residency (a recent utility or tax bill mailed to their home address) and self-declare that their income is within the pantry's guidelines, which match the Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund income limits by household size. Registered clients may visit once a week during distribution hours without an appointment; residents may also be screened for other assistance by Burlington Youth & Family Services (781-270-1961).
Financial aid
People Helping People, Inc. (administered by Burlington Youth & Family Services)
Covenant for Basic Needs emergency fund
Emergency fund that pays rent or utility costs to help Burlington residents avoid a shut-off or eviction; part of the community's social safety net.
- Who is eligible
- Burlington residents facing a housing or utility emergency. The fund is administered by Burlington Youth & Family Services (Human Services Building, 33 Center Street), which screens applicants and connects them with other available resources; requests are approved by People Helping People.
College scholarship
People Helping People, Inc.
Kathy Abouzahra Memorial Scholarship
Scholarships totalling $5,000 awarded to Burlington graduating seniors who have demonstrated impactful community service and exemplary volunteer work, paid directly to the tuition office of the institution they attend.
- Who is eligible
- Full-time high-school seniors who are Burlington residents and plan to attend college, university, or vocational/technical school. Burlington High School seniors apply through the BHS Guidance Department; other Burlington residents mail the application with a copy of their transcript. Deadline April 1, 2026.
College scholarship
Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation (Scholarship America chapter)
Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation Dollars for Scholars
Locally run Dollars for Scholars chapter, founded in 1988, that raises and distributes post-secondary scholarships for Burlington residents.
- Who is eligible
- Open to town residents of Burlington pursuing post-secondary education. Students apply by creating a Dollars for Scholars student profile on the chapter site (deadline May 1, 2026); local scholarship applications for Burlington High School students are posted on Scoir.
Sliding scale
Burlington Youth & Family Services (Town of Burlington)
Burlington Youth & Family Services counseling (income-based fee)
Confidential individual, family and couples counselling for Burlington families on issues from anxiety and depression to substance use, family conflict, school problems, divorce and loss, with a fee based on income.
- Who is eligible
- Burlington families with children, adolescents and young adults. There is a nominal fee for counselling that is based on income, and no resident is denied services because of an inability to pay. Counsellors also screen residents and provide referrals to aid from People Helping People, the Salvation Army, HelpIs and other state, federal or local programs.
Sliding scale
YMCA of Greater Boston (North Suburban YMCA)
YMCA ACCESS financial assistance
Need-based financial assistance ('ACCESS') toward YMCA membership and programs, including the YMCA After School Program the Y runs in Burlington schools.
- Who is eligible
- The Y states its programs are available to all regardless of age, income, ability, race or religion, that eligibility is on a sliding scale, and that it will not turn anyone away because of an inability to pay full fees; the ACCESS program provides financial assistance based on need through an application. The YMCA After School Program runs at Francis Wyman (Grades K-5, serving Fox Hill, Francis Wyman and Pine Glen) and Memorial (Grades K-6) and also offers a sibling discount.
Sliding scale
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC)
Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA)
State subsidy that pays child-care and out-of-school-time providers directly for Massachusetts families who meet the program's income and service-need rules; parents may pay a parent fee based on family size and income, and many families pay nothing.
- Who is eligible
- Eligibility is based on family composition, income and a recognised 'service need' (parent/caregiver working, in education/training/job search, experiencing homelessness or domestic violence, retired and over 65, actively deployed military, a documented disability, or in substance-use treatment). Income must be at or below 85% of State Median Income (e.g. $11,755 per month for a household of 4; $9,874 for a household of 3), with families at or below 50% of SMI given priority. Families with a DTA (TAFDC/SNAP) or DCF referral qualify without the waitlist. Families must provide proof of parent identity, Massachusetts residency and all gross household income.
Scholarship
Burlington Youth Soccer Association
Burlington Youth Soccer Association College Scholarship
College scholarship for graduating Burlington seniors who played in and volunteered for or refereed BYSA. Includes the Ron Brush, Trevor Saxon, Jim Brine and General Scholarships; applications due April 1.
- Who is eligible
- "Any graduating senior and Burlington resident attending a college, university, junior college or technical school" ... applicants "must have been an active participant in BYSA, as a player, for at least two years (four seasons)."
Scholarship
Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation
Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation Dollars for Scholars
Local Dollars for Scholars chapter that raises and distributes scholarships to Burlington residents for post-secondary education, including named awards such as the Steve Preston Memorial Scholarship.
- Who is eligible
- "provides scholarship opportunities for town residents of Burlington, Massachusetts."
Scholarship
FMC Ice Sports (Burlington Ice Palace)
FMC Ice Sports Scholarship
Annual education scholarships for high school seniors involved in ice hockey, figure skating or recreational skating at FMC arenas; application deadline May 1.
- Who is eligible
- "open to High School Seniors who demonstrate personal excellence on and off the ice" ... "All applicants must be New England residents and skate at FMC arenas."