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.
3 of the 177 programs in Somerville say they offer financial aid or a scholarship, and 9 schemes are set out below.
Financial aid
Somerville YMCA
Somerville YMCA Financial Assistance
Income-based assistance funded by the Y's annual campaign that reduces the cost of a Y membership or program for families who cannot pay the full fee.
- What it covers
- An income-based rate; "The Y believes a strong sense of ownership and pride is developed if the recipient has contributed to the cost of their Y involvement; therefore, applicants will be asked to pay some portion of the fees."
- Who is eligible
- "YMCAs are here to serve people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and incomes." Applicants "will be asked to present a copy of your most recent tax return as well as verification of your present income and based on the information that you provide, a Y representative will assist you with determining your income-based rate."
Fee waiver
City of Somerville Parks and Recreation Department
Somerville Parks and Recreation Fee Waiver Program
The city's program that waives registration fees for Parks and Recreation programs, classes and activities for low-income Somerville households.
- Who is eligible
- Applicants must "Have household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level" and submit a completed application (one per household, for up to 4 participating children). Applications must be submitted at least two weeks (10 business days) before a program registration deadline; proof of income may be requested; households may apply once every three months, and a fee waiver must be approved before registering or attending.
Sliding scale
Somerville Public Schools
SPS Community Schools Financial Assistance
Financial assistance and a sliding fee scale that reduce the cost of the district's own fee-based after-school program (SPS Community Schools) for Pre-K to Grade 6.
- What it covers
- A reduced, sliding-scale rate against published weekly fees (for 2026-2027: Pre-K $179/week; Kindergarten-Grade 5 $149-$169/week depending on days).
- Who is eligible
- "Financial assistance is available for eligible students through program-based applications, state-funded vouchers, or subsidies. A sliding fee scale - aligned with updated income guidelines - helps make afterschool programs more affordable for a wider range of families." Families complete the Financial Assistance Application Forms (in English, Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian Creole), use an EEC voucher or subsidy, or apply for scholarship support if they do not qualify for a voucher or are on a waitlist; Pre-K tuition assistance is also sliding-scale and ABCD (Child Care Choices of Boston) vouchers are accepted.
Financial aid
Somerville Public Schools
SPS After-School Financial Aid for Provider Programs
Financial aid the district says is attached to fee-based after-school programs run by community partners at SPS schools, such as Apollo After School and El Sistema Somerville.
- Who is eligible
- The district lists these vendor programs as "fee-based with financial aid for qualifying students" (Apollo After School at the Argenziano and Kennedy schools; El Sistema Somerville at East Somerville Community School).
College scholarship
City of Somerville Municipal Scholarship Committee
City of Somerville Municipal Scholarship
A need- and merit-based city scholarship for graduating Somerville seniors, awarded by the Municipal Scholarship Committee.
- What it covers
- "7 or more" scholarships, at an "Award Amount (Per Recipient): $2,000"; can be applied to "college tuition and professional programs/certifications, including union fees."
- Who is eligible
- "All of these scholarships are open to Somerville residents who are graduating seniors in the Class of 2026." Restriction: "High school student must be a graduating member of the Class of 2026 and live in Somerville, MA." Applications open March 1, 2026 and close Friday, March 27 at midnight.
Fee waiver
Somerville, MA Parks & Recreation
Somerville Parks & Recreation Fee Waiver
Fee waiver covering up to four children in a household for Parks & Recreation classes and activities; one application per household, may be filed once every three months, at least 10 business days before a registration deadline.
- Who is eligible
- "Have household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level." "Submit a completed application (one for the household, for up to 4 participating children)."
Scholarship
Somerville Road Runners
Somerville Road Runners Scholarship
Scholarships for graduating Somerville High School seniors who have demonstrated SRR's motto through running, athletics, overcoming an obstacle, or community service.
- Who is eligible
- "SRR awards scholarships to graduating Somerville High School seniors who have exemplified SRR's motto of Fortitudine Vincimus--‘By endurance we conquer’--through either running, athletics, overcoming a personal obstacle, or service to the community and demonstrate a strong potential for future postsecondary success."
Scholarship
Parkour Generations Boston
Parkour Generations Boston Program Scholarships
Rolling scholarships toward specific parkour classes or seasonal memberships, prioritizing youth eligible for free/reduced school lunch and at-risk populations.
- Who is eligible
- "Priority is given to applicants who are eligible for the federal free/reduced school lunch program and/or are in specific ‘at risk’ populations within our area of operations. Additional applicants are also welcome to apply."
Sliding scale
All Court Enrichment
All Court Enrichment Unlimited Scholarship
Pay-what-you-can scholarship so any student can attend ACE's summer tennis and writing program; in 2024, 62% of students attended for free.
- Who is eligible
- "ACE’s unlimited scholarship program allows any student to attend the program for whatever they can afford."