The Newark Recreation Scholarship Program is for any youth (age 17 or younger) residing in Newark who wishes to participate in a Newark Recreation and Community Services Department program but has financial constraints.

Approved applications are eligible for a maximum assistance of $300 per individual per Fiscal year (July 1st-June 30th). There will be a maximum of 6 children per family. Participants are required to pay a minimum of 25% of the registration fee, plus any remaining balance over $300 at the time of registration.

More information here:
Recreation Scholarship Guidelines 24-25 (English)
Recreation Scholarship Guidelines 24-25 (Spanish)

1. Download and complete the forms below.
   • Scholarship application and registration form must be filled out completely to be considered. Any incomplete forms will be denied.
     • Scholarship Application (Eng)
     • Scholarship Application (Spanish)

      

2. Provide proof of eligibility and residency at time of application
   
   • Proof of eligibility includes: 
     • most recent IRS 10-40 EZ 
     • recent tax return form for income verification 
     • WIC/CalFresh Benefit proof 
     • NUSD Free/Reduced Lunch Program Letter – current year (Letters received MUST be dated AFTER JULY 1, 2024).

      

3. Approval/Payment
   • After scholarship has been approved, you will be contacted and have 24 hours to make payment. Payment can be made with a credit card, check made payable to the City of Newark, or with cash in exact change.

    

   Scholarship applications can be completed in-person at the Silliman Center or emailed to recreation@newark.org

Please plan accordingly and register for classes in advanced, not the day of, to assure scholarship registration will be completed. 

Submitting an application does not guarantee space in the requested program; please include a completed registration form with your scholarship application. All information will be kept strictly confidential. 

At this time, scholarships can take up to two weeks to be approved. If applying for a swim lesson, you MUST fill out second options for swim lesson times just in case the requested class is unavailable.

All approved youth scholarship applicants are eligible to receive a Free Scholarship Family Membership for up to 2 adults and 4 children 17 and under. If you would like to receive the Free Scholarship Family Membership, please fill out the application (Found Below) and bring this form to the Silliman Front Desk for processing.

Family Membership Form (English) 
Family Membership Form (Spanish)

All Scholarship Memberships will expire June 30th each year. Scholarship applications open again at the beginning of July each year.

Family Membership includes: Recreation Swim, Water Walking, Lap Swim (with reservation), use of the Fitness Center (ages 12 and up) and Open Gym Basketball (availability is posted weekly on Facebook and Instagram). Check current facility hours at the Silliman Front Desk.

Scholarships do not apply to facility rentals, Licensed Child Care Program, Camp Newark Summer Program, and cannot be combined with a payment plan for any classes.

Scholarships will be granted during the year as long as funds are still available.