Building a fair financial aid policy

Goal. No child should miss a season because of money, and no family should feel exposed for asking.

1. Write the rule down. Who can apply, what proof you ask for (or not), how much the club can cover, and the deadline. A written rule protects volunteers from case-by-case pressure.

2. Fund it on purpose. Set aside a share of sponsorship or fundraising each season, so aid is planned, not improvised.

3. Keep it confidential. Only one or two board members should see requests. Coaches and other parents do not need to know.

4. Combine tools. A partial reduction plus a payment plan helps more families than a few full waivers.

5. Review once a year. Look at how many families used it and adjust the budget.

In SportEscudo, aid is recorded privately and the family's invoice shows only what they owe.