Financial aid & scholarships in North Adams

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.

10 of the 110 programs in North Adams say they offer financial aid or a scholarship, and 7 schemes are set out below.

Financial aid Berkshire Family YMCA

John F. Rogers Memorial Scholarship (Berkshire Family YMCA Financial Assistance)

The Berkshire Family YMCA's income-based financial assistance program, named for John F. Rogers, which reduces the cost of Y memberships and programs for youth, adults and families.

Who is eligible: "Through the John Roger's Memorial Scholarship program, BFYMCA provides assistance to youth, adults and families based on individual needs and circumstances." Awards are set from an Income Qualification Table by household size using all sources of household income; "A John Roger's Memorial Scholarship reduces membership fees. It does not eliminate them." Awards last 12 months and must be renewed annually, and applicants with a prior balance due are not eligible.

Eligibility & application

Fee waiver Berkshire Family YMCA

Free Y Memberships for DCF Foster Youth (Wonderfund)

One year of no-cost youth and teen YMCA membership for children in DCF foster care, provided through the Wonderfund.

What it covers: One year of no-cost youth/teen YMCA membership.
Who is eligible: "Through one-year no-cost Y youth/teen membership access, hundreds of DCF foster children, age eighteen and under, enjoy independent and group activities..." "This offer is for DCF foster children living with DCF approved foster parents and is not yet available to Congregate Care facilities and IFC placements." Families contact their DCF family resource worker to access it.

Eligibility & application

Financial aid Berkshire Family YMCA (Northern Berkshire)

Berkshire Family YMCA Abenaki Summer Program Financial Aid & MA Vouchers

The Northern Berkshire Y's Abenaki summer day camp in North Adams accepts Massachusetts child-care vouchers and offers financial aid to families who qualify.

What it covers: Camp is $205 per camper per week, with a $25/week non-refundable deposit at registration.
Who is eligible: The camp listing states: "MA vouchers accepted & financial aid available for those who qualify."

Eligibility & application

Scholarship MASS MoCA

MASS MoCA Camp Scholarship

A full scholarship to a week of MASS MoCA's summer camp, awarded by lottery to North Adams-area students.

What it covers: One full scholarship per camp week; camp costs $450 for non-members.
Who is eligible: "One full scholarship per camp is available for students from North Adams Public Schools, North Berkshire School Union, Hoosac Valley Public Schools, and Pittsfield Public Schools. We will also consider requests from homeschool students." Families apply by email by April 30 with the child's name, age, school and camp week(s); the museum then requests "simple documentation on your family's annual income and family size to determine eligibility."

Eligibility & application

Scholarship Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS)

BAAMS Summer Jazz Camp Partial Scholarships

A limited number of partial scholarships for the Berkshires' Summer Jazz Band Day Camp, awarded first-come, first-served.

Who is eligible: a limited number of partial scholarships may be available on a first-come, first-served basis. In the event we use up our scholarship funds, students and families are urged to request help from their local churches or civic groups, from family/relatives, and employers.

Eligibility & application

Financial aid Berkshire Dance Theatre

Angel Fund Financial Assistance

Angel Fund financial aid for dance students unable to afford tuition, applied for by written application.

Who is eligible: we keep our tuition rates affordable and have several scholarship programs to help those unable to afford the cost of tuition attend our programs

Eligibility & application

Sliding scale North Adams Clay

North Adams Clay Sliding Scale

Sliding-scale pricing on classes and camps, with a below-market 'Seeding' rate for those facing financial barriers.

Who is eligible: North Adams Clay is dedicated to equity, kindness, and shared creativity in our community. The ultimate goal is greater equity in the arts and creating space where it has historically been denied. SEEDING: a below market discounted rate to reduce financial barriers for marginalized/under-represented folks in our community

Eligibility & application

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