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.
1 of the 221 program in Springfield say they offer financial aid or a scholarship, and 13 schemes are set out below.
Financial aid
YMCA of Greater Springfield
YMCA of Greater Springfield Financial Assistance
Income-based help from the Y's donor-funded program that lowers the cost of a Y membership or youth program for Springfield families who cannot pay the full fee.
- Who is eligible
- "The YMCA of Greater Springfield believes in making our programs and services affordable for all. The Y will not turn anyone away based on an inability to pay full fees. Financial assistance may be available for qualifying individuals and families. Applications are available through the Welcome Center."
Scholarship
YMCA of Greater Springfield
YMCA Before & After School Scholarship Assistance
Scholarship help for families who need it to enroll a child in the Y's before-school and after-school programs.
- Who is eligible
- "Scholarship assistance is available for qualifying families. Please contact the Administrator at 413.206.5709 for information."
Scholarship
YMCA of Greater Springfield
YMCA Learning Centers Scholarship Assistance
Limited scholarships and EEC child-care vouchers that reduce tuition at the Y's early learning centers (toddler, preschool, infant care).
- What it covers
- Applied against published tuition (for example full-time preschool $262.50, full-time toddler $346.50, full-time infant $367.50; a non-refundable registration fee of $200.00 applies).
- Who is eligible
- "Vouchers are accepted. Limited scholarships are available for qualified families."
Financial aid
Boys & Girls Club of Springfield
Boys & Girls Club of Springfield Membership Financial Assistance
Financial assistance and state child-care transportation vouchers that lower the cost of the Club's $40-per-year membership and after-school programs for eligible Springfield families.
- What it covers
- The base membership is $40 per child per academic year for ages 6-18; a voucher provides a member fee discount and/or school-to-Club transportation.
- Who is eligible
- "Financial assistance and transportation vouchers may be available for eligible families." The Club's EEC school-year vouchers "for Springfield Boys and Girls Club membership and after-school transportation to the Club are based on household income and size of family"; vouchers are available for children through DCF and DTA and are approved through Seven Hills (Springfield area office 508-796-0281).
College scholarship
Springfield Partners for Community Action
Springfield Partners for Community Action Scholarship Program
A community-service-based scholarship for low- to moderate-income Springfield students going on to college, university or trade school; the agency states the program is on hold for 2026.
- What it covers
- "Springfield Partners has awarded over $10,000 in scholarship annually" (over $215,000 to more than 200 students since 2003).
- Who is eligible
- "Since 2003, our Scholarship Program has helped over 200 low- to moderate-income students... Whether you are a high school student or an adult learner; just starting or returning to higher ED; enrolling in a college, university, or a trade school... we award scholarships based in part on your community service and volunteer efforts." Applications are due in April. Note: "We regret to inform you that for 2026, the scholarship program has been placed on hold."
College scholarship
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Scholarships
A single online application that matches Springfield (Hampden County) students to any of the Foundation's 160-plus scholarship funds for college or graduate study.
- What it covers
- "Students can receive up to $3,000 in scholarships from the Community Foundation"; the Foundation awards over 1,000 individual scholarships totalling about $1.4 million each year.
- Who is eligible
- "Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States. Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties." Full-time and part-time students may apply; applicants submit a transcript and their FAFSA Submission Summary. The application opens January 1 and closes March 1.
Financial aid
Springfield JCC
Springfield JCC need-based financial assistance
Need-based assistance toward JCC membership dues and program fees, including childcare, applied for with income documentation and renewed each year.
- Who is eligible
- We offer limited, need-based financial assistance toward JCC membership dues and program fees, including our childcare programs.
Scholarship
Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC)
Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club need-based rowing scholarships
Need-based scholarships toward PVRC youth rowing program fees, arranged by contacting the club.
- Who is eligible
- Need-based scholarships are available. For more information please contact info@pvriverfront.org.
Sibling discount
Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club (PVRC)
Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club sibling discount
$100 discount for each additional sibling registered in a PVRC youth rowing program, applied by entering the sibling code at registration.
- Who is eligible
- Register with code 26DFF100 for a $100 discount for additional registered siblings.
Financial aid
Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts
Girl Scouts of Central & Western Massachusetts Camp Financial Assistance
Financial assistance toward Girl Scout summer camp fees, applied for with a form documenting annual family income and other income sources.
- Who is eligible
- Eligibility for camp financial assistance is determined by a complete and accurate financial assistance packet which includes formal documentation of annual income and any additional income sources.
Fee waiver
Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start (HCS Head Start)
HCS Head Start part-day early childhood program (no cost)
Free part-day early childhood program for income-eligible Springfield families; families apply through the Head Start enrollment office with income or public-assistance proof.
- Who is eligible
- We offer traditional part-day early childhood programs at no cost to eligible families.
Sliding scale
Holyoke Chicopee Springfield Head Start (HCS Head Start)
HCS Head Start full-day sliding-scale option
Full-day Head Start for eligible parents who work or are in school full time, with fees set on a sliding scale from partial to full tuition.
- Who is eligible
- HCS Head Start offers a full day option for eligible parents working or enrolled at school full time. Fees for the full day option range from sliding scale to full tuition.
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.