Seattle United

To apply for financial aid please read the following  and fill out the application at the bottom of the page

A core ethic of the Seattle United club is to work to provide Seattle youth with an equal opportunity to access advanced development soccer without regard to a particular player or family’s ability to pay. In accordance with this ethic, Seattle United has established a need-based financial aid program for players and their parents/guardians that provides partial or full club fees and uniform cost waivers for eligible members, and in some limited cases, assistance with team fees. The program exceeds the standards established by the Seattle Youth Soccer Association (SYSA) (Regulation 7.4.4) regarding select team formation, which requires only one scholarship be provided per team.  The Seattle United policy seeks to provide assistance to each qualifying player, regardless of the number of players on a particular team needing assistance. The Seattle United scholarship program is funded through a percentage of club Program Fee revenue, club fundraising efforts and in-kind assistance through our Adidas and Eurosport partnerships.

• Acceptance by a federal or state free and/or reduced school lunch program. For example, to qualify for a federally funded school-lunch program, a family of four can earn no more than $28,665 for free lunch and $40,793 for a reduced-cost lunch. Please see the income guidelines chart at the end of this document.
• Providing documentation that establishes that a family would qualify for a free or reduced lunch from a federal or state free and/or reduced lunch program.

• Full Program and Uniform Fee Waiver. This is granted to applicants that qualify for a full free lunch at school, or meet the equivalent income requirements.   

• Partial Program and Uniform Fee Waiver. Applicants that qualify for a reduced cost lunch at school will be provided financial aid from Seattle United in the same percentage they qualify for reduced-price lunch at school. Applicants that have not been qualified for a reduced-price lunch at school but who meet the income requirements of reduced-price at school will be provided financial aid in the same percentages as if they had applied for and been granted a reduced-price lunch at school.

• Full or Partial Program, Uniform and Team Fee Waiver or Financial Aid.  It is the policy of Seattle United that team budgets accommodate players that qualify for financial aid under the club’s financial aid standards. The is accomplished by reducing such qualified player’s Team Fee obligation by the same percentage as each player qualified for assistance under the club’s financial aid standards.  Thus, if a player qualified for a 50% reduction in their Program Fee and Uniform Fee, the player would also qualify for a 50% reduction in their Team Fee obligation.  If a player qualified for a 100% reduction in their Program Fee and Uniform Fee, the player would also qualify for a 100% reduction in their Team Fee obligation.  The cost of such reduction in each qualifying player’s Team Fee obligation will be incorporated into each team’s Team Fee budget and spread among the other players on the team.  Seattle United recognizes, however, that special circumstances may exist in which assumption of  qualified player’s Team Fee obligations by non-financial aid qualified players would present a financial hardship to non-financial aid qualified players and parents.  Such circumstances are not considered by the club to exist unless there are three or more financial aid-qualified players on a team.  In such exceptional circumstances, the Seattle United Financial Aid Committee will consider applications from teams for Team Fee assistance.  Team fee assistance will be considered by the committee only after all Program and Uniform Fee applications have been awarded, and Seattle United Financial Aid Committee will ordinarily have to make qualifying adjustments based on the availability of funds. Further, team expenses for which Team Fee assistance will be considered are limited to the reasonable cost of the following items: two in-state tournaments per year, league fees, state cup fees, fees for fields and referees, and the cost of team practice or game equipment. Team Fee assistance will be considered only after team fundraising efforts have first been undertaken, and an explanation of the expected team fundraising effort throughout the playing year is required as part of any Team Fee assistance application. Team Fee assistance will be provided after expenses are actually incurred and not in anticipation of future expenses.

• Obligation of Award Recipients. It is the expectation of Seattle United that recipients of financial aid demonstrate dedication through consistent attendance at team practices and games. Also, it is the responsibility of each family receiving financial aid to reciprocate through active participation in the club and its team activities, including mandatory volunteer participation of 15-20 hours annually. A financial commitment of a minimum $10 a month or $120 per year toward team fee’s is required. Failure to adhere to these guidelines can result in the forfeiture of the financial aid award.

1. Deadlines for submission of Financial Aid applications will be posted on the Seattle United website and will also be available from the coach and/or team manager.
2. To be considered for financial aid each applicant must accurately complete the Financial Aid Application. All necessary supporting documentation should be included with the application. Applications will not be processed until all necessary supporting documentation is received. All applications must contain original signatures of each applicant and a photocopy of each applicant’s driver’s license. 
3. Financial Aid applications should be submitted to:

4. The information provided in the application will be kept confidential and will only be provided to members of the Financial Aid Committee and Seattle United administrative staff, and then only as necessary. Only the decision of the Financial Aid Committee will be provided to the team manager and/or treasurer, not any of the specifics of the application. Every effort will be taken to ensure the confidentiality of the information provided in the application and supporting documents. The Financial Aid Committee may discuss what types of documentation are needed with the team manager or other team representative in order to assist the applicant provide the same.
5. Financial Aid Applications that are submitted after the posted deadline will be considered in the order in which they are received and on the basis of remaining financial aid funds.
6. Applicants will receive the decision of the Financial Aid Committee in writing mailed to the address provided in the application, usually within two to four  weeks of the application deadline.
7. Financial aid is for the current season year only. Applicants receiving financial aid must apply each seasonal year.
8. All financial aid may be reviewed periodically and is subject to increase or withdrawal based upon changed financial circumstances of the applicant. Toward this end, Seattle United may request updated financial information from any applicant awarded financial aid at any time during the seasonal year.

APPLICATION FOR FINANCIAL AID