Financial Aid for Sail Newport Youth Recreational and Youth Racing Programs

Sail Newport’s mission is to provide access to sailing for the community. One important way we achieve this is by offering financial aid. Sail Newport awards financial aid to sailors who demonstrate financial need and an interest in specific programs offered by our sailing center. We are able to offer this support due to the generosity of donors and memorial funds specifically established to support children who might otherwise not have the opportunity to participate in our programs.

For sailors, parents and guardians concerned about affording the cost of Sail Newport’s programs, please review the guidelines below and apply for financial aid during the registration process. Any questions or concerns regarding financial aid should be directed to Hannah Lasorsa, Director of Administration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How does Sail Newport determine if I qualify for financial aid?
A. Sail Newport uses a formula for calculating financial aid awards based on weekly gross income and number of dependents per household.

Q. What do I have to do to apply for financial aid?
A. Every household completes a brief application (one per household, regardless of number of sailors seeking aid or specific program participation) and provides Sail Newport with their household W2 forms. This Financial Aid Application is included in many program registration forms. 

Q, I have more than one child – can more than one child receive financial aid?
A. Yes! We do not limit the number of children per household applying for aid.

Q. Does Sail Newport offer full financial aid to cover the registration costs of programs?
A. Sail Newport provides both full and partial financial aid awards to qualifying participants.

Q. I received financial aid for my child last year – can I apply again?
A. Yes! We do not limit the number of years a household can apply for aid.

Q. What Sail Newport programs qualify for Financial Aid?
A. Financial Aid is available for these programs:

Summer Youth Recreational Programs

• Little Guppies
• Youth Dinghy
• Keelboat Program

Youth Racing

• Spring and Fall clinics
• Brooke Gonzalez Advanced Racing Clinic (B.E.G.)
• Brenton Cove Racing Program (BCRP)
• Rhode Island Optimist Team (RIOT)

Q. Does Sail Newport offer any free sailing programs?
A. Yes! In addition to offering financial aid, Sail Newport offers a number of free programs, such as Community Waterfront Day, Friday Night Lights high school racing series, Marine Exploration Program (MEP), and numerous community partnership programs that are offered at no cost to participants or partnering organizations. These include the Pell Elementary School Fourth Grade Science and Sailing Program, AdventureSail® for Girls, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center Summer Camp and Newport Police Department Community Police Camp, among others. You can learn about those programs on the organization’s websites.

Q. My household has experienced an unexpected financial hardship not reflected on my W2 – what should I do?
A. You are welcome to explain your situation on your Financial Aid Application. You are also welcome to call or email Sail Newport’s Director of Administration, Hannah Lasorsa (401-846-1983) or [email protected].

Q. Where do I find the Financial Aid Application?
A. The application for financial aid is submitted as part of the registration form for each individual program. Once you receive an application or registration confirmation email notifying you that your child has been accepted, you will then confirm your child’s or children’s participation in our programs and apply for financial aid. You will not have to provide payment nor a deposit if you choose to apply for financial aid.

Q. When/how do I find out if my child/children received financial aid?
A. The parent/guardian who has submitted the application will receive both a letter and an email indicating the outcome of the application two to three weeks following submission.

Q. I still have questions – what should I do?
A. You are always welcome to call or email below:

Contact: Hannah Lasorsa, at 401-846-1983