SWM Kickers Player Scholarships

1. Purpose and Scope

The goal of the SWM soccer Scholarship Fund is to make the club soccer experience available to all qualified soccer players who have the talent and commitment, but who may not otherwise be able to afford the expense of competitive club soccer. Therefore SWM takes into consideration financial needs as well as other factors that may influence a player’s ability to play at the SWM soccer Club. However, since the financial resources of the SWM Soccer Scholarship Fund are limited, the availability and amount of scholarships is also limited to true financial hardship situations. Scholarships are not always available and vary season to season due to the availability of funds. The club does not discriminate based on race, color, nationality, or sex.

2. Scholarship Tiers and Financial Assistance

The club offers three tiers of assistance based on the registration fee and is administered as a waiver towards the fee. Financial need determines the tier with Federal HHS Poverty Guidelines used as the primary determining factor. Poverty Guidelines are published annually by Federal HHS. Additional family circumstances may be used when determining need and are administered at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

Tier 1: 100% Waiver ─ Based on Medicaid, or <130% Poverty Guidelines

Tier 2:  75% Waiver ─ Based on SNAP or 130%-185% Poverty Guidelines

Tier 3:  50% Waiver ─ Based on Reduced School Lunch or 185%-250% Poverty Guidelines

3. Uniform Assistance Option

Normally, no scholarship will be awarded to cover the cost of the uniforms. However, there may be some extreme circumstances where a child may receive additional assistance. Additional needs will be determined on a case by case basis. A scholarship will not cover the cost of additional items purchased, such as cleats, shinguards, goalkeeper gloves, equipment bags, warm-ups and other non-uniform items.

  • Direct Club Purchase: If approved, uniforms will be purchased by the club and provided to the player.
  • No Reimbursements: The club will not reimburse families who buy uniforms on their own.
  • Ownership: The uniform belongs to the player once it is distributed.

4. Application and Selection Process

The parents or guardians of the prospective scholarship recipient must complete the Scholarship Application with required documentation. A link to the online application is available from the website. If the required documentation is not provided or the SWM Scholarship committee determines that there is insufficient basis for a scholarship based on need, the scholarship will be denied.

  • Required Documentation: Families must share proof of income, such as tax returns or public aid letters.
  • Review Process: An independent Scholarship Committee consisting of the treasurer, vice president, and one other board member will review the application and documentation determine the appropriate reward amount.
  • No Coach Involvement: Coaches and team managers do not vote on financial aid. Coaches are encouraged to educate parents on the scholarship policy and can provide feedback to the scholarship committee if there are questions about eligibility.
  • Receiving the award: The treasurer will apply a credit to the GotSport account for the amount of the award. Once the credit is applied, the remaining balance will become due according to the payment plan selected upon registration. 

5. Conflict of Interest and Private Benefit Rules

  • Insider Exclusion: Board members, officers, founders, coaches, and major donors cannot receive scholarships.
  • No Donor Earmarking: Donors cannot give tax-deductible money tied to a specific player.
  • No Volunteer Mandates: Families do not have to volunteer or fundraise to receive a scholarship.
  • Funding Pool: All financial aid comes from the club’s scholarship funds.