Scholarships and Financial Assistance

The Clearwater Parks and Recreation Department is committed to ensuring recreation centers and programs are accessible to all, regardless of economic status. 

Scholarships are awarded based on:

• demonstrated financial need
• available scholarship funding
• residency within Clearwater’s corporate boundaries
• meeting deadline requirements

The WIC Income Guidelines, from the Florida Department of Health are used by the Parks and Recreation Department to determine scholarship eligibility. Ask the recreation center's manager for more assistance with the application or contact us online.

Scholarship Guidelines/Eligibility

• Scholarships are open to all city of Clearwater residents. Parent, legal guardian or custodian must provide two proofs of identification that verifies where the applicant lives within city of Clearwater boundaries.
• Scholarship applicants must meet the need outlined by the WIC Income Guidelines to receive a scholarship.  
• Scholarship applicants must be able to verify the number of dependents and their household income with a tax return and W-2.  Supporting documents must accompany applications for them to be considered or the application will be returned to the applicant.
• All scholarship recipients are required to purchase a city of Clearwater recreation card.     

Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarships can be obtained for either an annual PLUSPass or for discounted fees for staff-led programs such as camps, activities, and leagues.  Please note that variable instructor classes and Learn to Swim Programs will not be discounted.

Scholarship Fees

• The PLUS Pass is 100% scholarship.   
• The discounted fees for staff-led programs, activities, and leagues are 75% scholarship. 

Scholarship applications are to be completed and submitted annually. Applications are not carried over to the next year and cannot be switched throughout the year.

Scholarship approval does not guarantee enrollment into the program of the applicant's choice - applicant must follow the registration procedure for each specific program.

Scholarship requests for staff-led programs must be pre-approved a minimum of two-weeks prior to program registration.