YMCA Financial Assistance & Scholarships in Denver
At the YMCA of Metro Denver, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to participate in programs and experiences that support health in spirit, mind and body.
The YMCA of Metro Denver offers needs-based financial assistance for individuals and families who need help paying for YMCA membership and programs. Scholarships may be available for membership, youth sports, swim lessons, preschool and child care, summer camp, Youth in Government and other eligible YMCA programs.
Financial assistance is made possible through the generosity of YMCA donors. Awards are based on demonstrated financial need and available funding. Submitting an application does not guarantee financial assistance.
YMCA Financial Assistance at a Glance
Who can apply?
Individuals and families who demonstrate financial need.
What can financial assistance help pay for?
YMCA membership and eligible programs, including youth sports, swim lessons, preschool and child care, summer camp, Youth in Government and other YMCA programs.
What is the income threshold?
The YMCA of Metro Denver's annual income threshold for financial assistance is $50,000 and below. Additional requirements apply to certain licensed child care and camp programs.
What documentation do I need?
Proof of annual income is required.
How long does the application process take?
Applicants are generally notified of their scholarship status by email within approximately 10 business days after submitting a complete application.
Do I need a YMCA account to apply?
No. You can apply through the YMCA of Metro Denver Support Portal without logging in.
Does applying guarantee a scholarship?
No. Partial scholarships may be awarded based on demonstrated financial need and the YMCA's ability to fund the request.
What Can YMCA Financial Assistance Be Used For?
YMCA financial assistance may be available for:
- YMCA membership
- Youth sports
- Swim lessons and aquatics programs
- Art, dance and other YMCA programs
- Y Academy preschool and early childhood education
- Before- and after-school out of school child care
- Summer day camp
- Specialty and sports camps
- Youth in Government
- Additional YMCA programs that promote health, nurture kids and strengthen community
Availability and scholarship amounts may vary by program and available funding.
Financial Assistance for YMCA Membership
Financial assistance is available for YMCA of Metro Denver memberships.
Membership scholarships can help individuals and families access YMCA wellness centers, fitness opportunities and other benefits included with an eligible membership.
The CCCAP requirement that applies to certain child care and camp applicants does not apply to YMCA membership scholarships.
Financial Assistance for Youth Sports, Swim Lessons and Programs
YMCA scholarships may be used toward eligible programs such as youth sports, swim lessons, aquatics, art and dance.
Financial assistance helps make YMCA programs accessible to more children and families, regardless of their ability to pay the full program fee.
Financial Assistance for Preschool and Child Care
Financial assistance may be available for YMCA child care programs, including Y Academy early childhood education and eligible before- and after-school care.
Families with an annual income of $20,000 or below who are applying for financial assistance for eligible licensed child care programs must first apply for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP).
If CCCAP denies your application, you will need to provide proof of the denial before you can be considered for a YMCA scholarship.
Financial Assistance for Summer Camp
YMCA scholarships may be available for summer day camp, specialty camps and sports camps.
Families with an annual income below $20,000 who are applying for Summer Camp financial assistance must first apply for CCCAP. Proof of CCCAP denial is required before the YMCA can consider the scholarship application.
Summer Camp scholarships are specific to the camp season for which they are awarded. Families must reapply for financial assistance for future camp seasons.
How to Apply for YMCA Financial Assistance
We've streamlined our financial assistance application to make applying easier. No YMCA login is required.
- Go to the YMCA of Metro Denver Support Portal.
- Under the Category drop-down menu, select Financial Assistance.
- Complete all required information and upload the requested proof of annual income.
- Submit your application.
- Watch for an email from solutioncenter@denverymca.org with your scholarship status.
Applicants generally receive a response within approximately 10 business days. Be sure to check your inbox as well as your spam or junk folder.
If you have not received a response within 10 business days, contact the YMCA of Metro Denver.
Spanish-language online registration form coming soon.
Próximamente estará disponible el formulario de inscripción en línea en español.
Financial Assistance Income Requirements
YMCA scholarships are based on demonstrated financial need and available funding.
The YMCA of Metro Denver's annual income threshold for processing financial assistance applications is $50,000 and below.
Additional requirements apply to certain child care and camp applications:
Annual income of $20,000 or below: If you are applying for financial assistance for eligible licensed child care programs or Summer Camp, you must first apply for CCCAP. If you are denied CCCAP benefits, proof of denial must be included with your YMCA scholarship application.
YMCA membership: The CCCAP requirement does not apply to membership scholarships.
If you report $0 in annual income, include an explanation of your financial circumstances with your application.
Colorado Child Care Assistance Program — CCCAP
The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program helps eligible families pay for child care.
Depending on where you live, you may apply through the appropriate state, city or county program:
- Colorado Child Care Assistance Program
- Denver Child Care Assistance Program
- Arapahoe County Child Care Assistance Program
- Jefferson County Child Care Assistance Program
- Douglas County/Colorado PEAK
If your annual income is $20,000 or below and you are seeking YMCA financial assistance for applicable licensed child care or camp programs, apply for CCCAP before applying for a YMCA scholarship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The YMCA of Metro Denver offers needs-based financial assistance to eligible individuals and families. Scholarships may help reduce the cost of YMCA membership and eligible programs.
Individuals and families may apply. Financial assistance is awarded based on demonstrated financial need and available YMCA scholarship funding
The YMCA of Metro Denver's annual income threshold for processing financial assistance applications is $50,000 and below. Additional requirements apply to applicants with annual incomes of $20,000 or below who are applying for certain licensed child care and camp programs.
Yes. YMCA membership scholarships are available. The CCCAP requirement that applies to certain child care and camp applicants does not apply to membership scholarships.
Yes. YMCA scholarships may be available for swim lessons and other eligible aquatics programs.
Yes. Financial assistance may be available for Y Academy early childhood education and eligible before, after and full day out of school time child care programs. CCCAP requirements may apply depending on your income and the program.
Yes. Scholarships may be available for YMCA summer day camp, specialty camps and sports camps. Camp scholarships are awarded for a specific camp season, and families must reapply for future seasons.
If your annual income is $20,000 or below and you are applying for financial assistance for applicable licensed child care programs or Summer Camp, you must first apply for CCCAP. If CCCAP denies your application, you will need to provide proof of denial to be considered for a YMCA scholarship.
This requirement does not apply to YMCA membership scholarships.
Proof of annual income is required. Additional documentation, such as proof of CCCAP denial, may be required depending on your income and the program for which you are requesting assistance.
Scholarship amounts vary. Partial scholarships may be awarded based on demonstrated financial need and the YMCA's ability to fund the request. Submitting an application does not guarantee an award.
An application may be denied if your reported income is above the YMCA's financial assistance threshold, required documentation is missing, applicable CCCAP requirements have not been completed or you have a past-due YMCA balance.
If you report $0 in annual income, provide an explanation with your application.
If you have received a membership scholarship award letter and code, your award remains in place unless the YMCA contacts you about a change.
Scholarships must be accepted and activated toward the applicable program within 30 days. Scholarships that are not activated within that period may be revoked after follow-up communication.
Families will receive communication up to 30 days before the end of an approved scholarship and will need to reapply for continued assistance.
CCCAP registration for Summer Camp takes place outside the regular camp registration process. Families participating in or applying for CCCAP should follow YMCA communications about the CCCAP Summer Camp registration process.
No. Summer Camp scholarships apply to the specific camp season for which they were awarded. You must reapply to be considered for financial assistance for a future Summer Camp season.
After receiving your scholarship award and code, choose the YMCA Summer Camp option and location that works for your family and register for the weeks you need.
Before completing checkout, enter the scholarship code from your award email in the coupon code field. Apply the code, confirm that your total has been adjusted and complete registration.
Apply for YMCA Financial Assistance
Ready to apply?
Apply through the YMCA of Metro Denver Support Portal.
Select Financial Assistance from the Category menu, complete the required information and submit your application.
Have questions about financial assistance, your application or a scholarship decision? Contact the YMCA of Metro Denver.
More Ways to Access the Y
Financial assistance is one of several ways the YMCA of Metro Denver works to make programs and services more accessible.
Depending on your eligibility and the program you're interested in, additional assistance may be available through programs such as CCCAP and other community or third-party benefits.
Explore More Ways to Access the Y.