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.
11 schemes serve Lowell families.
Financial aid
Greater Lowell Family YMCA
Greater Lowell Family YMCA Financial Assistance
Income-based financial assistance from the Y's Annual Campaign that reduces the cost of a Y membership or youth programs for families who cannot pay the full fee.
- What it covers
- A sliding-scale reduction; 'Recipients are expected to be responsible for a percentage of the membership cost and/or the program fees.'
- Who is eligible
- For 'children, teens, adults and families who cannot afford the full cost of a Y membership or programs.' Uses a sliding fee scale based on total household income and number of household members; supporting documentation verifying household size and income is required, and special circumstances are considered.
Scholarship
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell Membership Scholarship
The Club's policy that no child is turned away for inability to pay, with scholarships and payment plans to cover its annual membership fee.
- What it covers
- Covers the school-year membership fee of $40 per child ($5 for teens).
- Who is eligible
- Open to children who 'could not otherwise afford the membership fee'; the Club states 'No child is turned away due to inability to pay.' Families contact the Membership team to discuss scholarship or payment plan options.
College scholarship
Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell
Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell Scholarships
Four named scholarships (Stickney-Dunsford, Loretta J. Duncan, Fannie Moore and Mary E. Harrington) for graduating and post-secondary members of Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell.
- What it covers
- Scholarships range from $500.00 to $1,000.00.
- Who is eligible
- Accepted from high school senior girls who are past or current members of Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell, and from current post-secondary students, who plan to attend or attend a 2- or 4-year college, community college, vocational or trade school; a transcript and two letters of recommendation (one from an academic instructor) are required.
Fee waiver
Lowell Public Schools
Lowell Public Schools McKinney-Vento Extracurricular Access
Lowell Public Schools' McKinney-Vento homeless-student policy under which the district removes barriers to students' access to academic and extracurricular activities.
- Who is eligible
- Students who meet the McKinney-Vento definition of homelessness (doubled-up, hotels/motels, shelter, unsheltered, or unaccompanied youth); the district 'must remove barriers to accessing academic and extracurricular activities.'
Scholarship
Angkor Dance Troupe
Angkor Dance Troupe youth class scholarships
Scholarships that cover the fee for the troupe's Khmer dance classes (nominally $60 per 12-week semester) for families who cannot pay; families request one when enrolling.
- Who is eligible
- "Scholarships are available for families experiencing financial hardship (subject to availability)."
Financial aid
Refuge Art School
Refuge Art School Financial Aid for Inclusive Access
Need-based tuition assistance for the school's youth art classes; students complete the online financial-aid form and are told not to purchase classes first.
- Who is eligible
- "We aim to make Refuge accessible to everyone. If tuition is a barrier, students can apply for financial aid online."
College scholarship
Lowell Housing Authority
Lowell Youth Activities Program (LYAP) Scholarship
College, community-college and trade-school scholarship for Lowell Housing Authority residents, applied for with a transcript and a 250-word essay by the spring deadline.
- Who is eligible
- Applicant must be a Lowell Housing Authority Public Housing or Section 8 resident with a high school diploma or high school equivalency.
College scholarship
Greater Lowell Community Foundation
College Club of Greater Lowell Scholarship
College scholarship administered by the Greater Lowell Community Foundation for graduating seniors who live in Lowell or a neighbouring Greater Lowell town.
- Who is eligible
- The applicant must reside in the Greater Lowell area in the following towns: Lowell, Chelmsford, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Dracut, Billerica and Westford.
Scholarship
Whistler House Museum of Art
Whistler House Museum of Art youth art scholarships
Scholarships toward the museum's summer youth art classes, which otherwise cost $175 per student per week.
- Who is eligible
- Scholarships are available for aspiring artists in the community who meet the criteria.
Fee waiver
Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA)
CMAA Rising Stars summer program
Free six-week summer sports and leadership program for Lowell youth whose families cannot afford summer programs, run by the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association.
- Who is eligible
- The Rising Stars program provides youth a FREE (if qualified) summer sports and leadership program for 6 weeks.
Voucher
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
Child Care Financial Assistance (CCFA)
State subsidy that pays a child-care or out-of-school-time provider directly for income-eligible families; apply online through the MyChildCareMA portal.
- Who is eligible
- CCFA eligibility is based on who is in your family, income, and certain expenses.