Please read this policy and procedure in its entirety.
Background
The Valley Athletic Association (VAA) seeks to provide recreational opportunities for all community and traveling sport participants living in the ISD 196 area. This policy establishes a program which may provide some financial assistance for need-based families.
Policy
A parent or legal guardian of a participant, who lives in the ISD 196 area and is receiving free or reduced school lunches or can demonstrate a special hardship case, may apply for financial assistance by using the Financial Assistance Application Form.
Financial Assistance for Community Sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track, volleyball, flag football, and wrestling, Financial Assistance grants will cover all but $20.00 of the published registration fee. The $20.00 participation fee must be paid by the applicant.
Financial Assistance for Travel Sports:. Financial Assistance grants will cover all but $40.00 of the published registration fee. The $40.00 participation fee must be paid by the applicant. $40.00 of that participation fee will be applied as registration revenue back to the applicable sport.
Financial Assistance for Community and Traveling Football: Financial Assistance grants will cover all but $40.00 of the published registration fee. The $40.00 participation fee must be paid by the applicant. $40.00 of that participation fee will be applied as registration revenue back to the applicable sport.
Some sports may require volunteer hours or additional fees for uniforms, tournaments, clinics, or fundraising. Financial assistance will not cover these additional fees. All fees above and beyond the registration fee are the responsibility of the participant.
Proof of eligibility must be submitted along with the Application Form (see Procedure below for link to form). All information provided must be true and accurate. Failure to provide complete information may result in denial of application. Providing false information may result in immediate suspension from all VAA programs for every member of the participant’s family for a period of up to one year.
Applicant must create an account for the participant on VAA website – www.vaasports.org.
Eligibility for VAA financial assistance does not guarantee that you will receive assistance.
Funds are limited and will be distributed as available on a first-come, first-served PAID basis to those who qualify.
Applicants may request financial assistance for a maximum of one sport per participant per registration period, for a maximum of three requests per participant per year.
Travel soccer, Valley United Soccer Club, has its own financial assistance policy. Refer to www.vusc.org.
- All payments must be made online. Do not send payment in the mail.
- No financial assistance will be available for off-season clinics
- No refunds are given for financial assistance fees unless participant is not placed on a team.
- Financial Assistance Application Forms will not be accepted during Wait List Registration period or once registration is closed.
- Financial Assistance will not be granted for registration fees already paid.
***VAA will use reasonable care to keep all information provided confidential.***
Procedure
- Create an online account at www.vaasports.org and enter information for each participant. Do not complete registration.
- Send completed Financial Assistance Application Form – one form per child per sport - and proof of eligibility (qualification letter for free or reduced lunch in ISD 196) to: [email protected]. If by mail to:
VAA
P.O. Box 240462
Apple Valley, MN 55124-9800
- After application is received by VAA, you will be instructed to register all the way thru the registration process and EXIT out at payment screen.
- If you application is accepted, VAA will then change your fee to either $20 (community sports) or $40 (travel sports) or $40 (football).
- You must then go online and submit payment.
***Non-payment of any fees above and beyond the VAA financial assistance may result in participant becoming ineligible for the current and/or future sports season. If online payment is not received by the registration deadline, there is no guaranty that a place will be available for the participant.***