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 of the 324 programs in Cambridge say they offer financial aid or a scholarship, and 14 schemes are set out below.
Sliding scale
City of Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP)
DHSP Summer Camps and Programs income-based tuition
The city's summer camp and program tuition is set on a sliding scale by household size and income, with priority in the summer lottery for lower-income households and a hardship review on request.
- What it covers
- Tuition is free for 13-year-olds enrolled in Cambridge Youth Programs.
- Who is eligible
- Tuition rates for DHSP Summer Camps and Programs are based on household size and income. Lottery priority is reserved for applicants with a household income of 65% HUD Area Median Income or less. Families can request a financial review if they are experiencing a hardship.
Sliding scale
Cambridge Office of Early Childhood (City of Cambridge and Cambridge Public Schools)
Cambridge Preschool Program (CPP)
A city preschool program that heavily subsidizes full-day, full-year preschool tuition for Cambridge 3- and 4-year-olds, with income-based fees above the free threshold.
- What it covers
- Full-day, full-year preschool free for families at or below 65% of HUD AMI; sliding-scale monthly tuition above that.
- Who is eligible
- Cambridge residents whose children will be 3 or 4 years old by August 31 are eligible to apply. Families whose household income is above 65% of HUD AMI pay monthly tuition fees based on household size and income; families at or below 65% of HUD AMI receive full-day, full-year education and care for free.
Scholarship
Cambridge Camping Association
CCAccess Camperships
Need-based camperships that place Cambridge-area children at day and overnight camps at reduced tuition, negotiated directly with partner camps.
- What it covers
- Tuition rates are negotiated with partner camps to meet families' needs; awards are based on financial need.
- Who is eligible
- Camperships are awarded based on financial need and camp availability, for children ages 5-17. All families will be asked to make a tuition contribution and pay a $10 non-refundable registration fee.
Financial aid
Cambridge YMCA
Financial Assistance (Membership)
The Cambridge YMCA offers financial assistance toward membership to Cambridge residents who cannot afford basic membership, applied for through the Y's Financial Assistance Application.
- Who is eligible
- Financial Assistance may be available for Cambridge residents who cannot afford basic membership. A Financial Assistance Application is available on the YMCA's forms page.
Scholarship
Cambridge YMCA
Janet Belanger Memorial Fund
A memorial fund at the Cambridge YMCA that provides child care tuition assistance and scholarships to the Y's child care programs.
- Who is eligible
- Donations to this fund are used to provide childcare tuition assistance and scholarships to our child care programs for underprivileged children.
College scholarship
Cambridge Community Foundation
Falcon Pride Scholarship
A multi-year scholarship, founded by Cambridge Rindge and Latin School parents and alumni, for CRLS graduates with financial need pursuing post-secondary education.
- What it covers
- A four-year scholarship; since 2022 it has been a $10,000 scholarship.
- Who is eligible
- Designed to support CRLS students who have the determination and passion to pursue postsecondary education but do not have the needed financial resources. Each year the Scholarship works with CRLS to select eight graduating seniors.
Financial aid
Cambridge Youth Soccer
Cambridge Youth Soccer Financial Aid
Fee assistance available at any CYS program level to any family that requests it, applied as a discount during online registration.
- Who is eligible
- FINANCIAL AID is available at any level to all who request it. If you plan to request financial aid, please complete this 1-minute financial aid request form
Scholarship
Cambridge Youth Hockey
Cambridge Youth Hockey Financial Aid
Scholarships for the instructional hockey program, applied for through the club's financial aid form.
- Who is eligible
- Scholarships Available! Please see our Financial Aid Form here. Families in need are encouraged to apply.
Financial aid
East End House
East End House School Age Program Financial Assistance
Limited financial assistance and accepted childcare vouchers for the School Age Program and summer programs.
- Who is eligible
- East End House offers limited financial assistance to families in need. We also accept vouchers from a number of resource and referral agencies.
Sliding scale
East Cambridge Little Baseball League
ECLBL Sliding-Scale Fees and Financial Aid
Sliding-scale registration fee for the youth baseball league, with financial aid available.
- Who is eligible
- Fee: sliding $80-$120, financial aid available
Scholarship
José Mateo Ballet Theatre
José Mateo Ballet Theatre Need-Based Scholarships
Need-based scholarships for the Teenager's Introduction to Ballet program (ages older beginners).
- Who is eligible
- Need-Based Scholarships are available.
Financial aid
NuVu Studio
NuVu Summer Financial Aid and Scholarships
Need-based financial aid and scholarships for NuVu's summer design programs; sibling, multi-session, returning-student and MIT employee discounts are also offered.
- Who is eligible
- We offer financial aid and scholarships! We think all children should have the chance to experience our program. Click here to download our financial aid application and instructions on how to submit
Scholarship
MIT Introduction to Technology, Engineering, and Science (MITES/OEOP)
MITES Travel Scholarships
Travel scholarships for students attending the MITES Summer program.
- Who is eligible
- Travel scholarships are available to MITES Summer students.
Financial aid
Cambridge Youth Lacrosse
CYL Scholarship and Financial Aid
Need-based financial assistance for Cambridge families toward lacrosse registration and equipment, arranged individually with the club.
- Who is eligible
- Through generous donations from our community and dedicated sponsors, we are able to offer financial assistance to those families most in need. Together, we will craft an equitable plan that best meets your family's specific circumstances.