summer experience grant

The Summer Experience Grant Program is a financial assistance program designed to assist in providing summer opportunities for high school students. Students are invited to apply for a Summer Experience Grant to financially support enrollment fees and expenses for academic, athletic, or enrichment experiences in the summer of 2024. The Summer Experience Grant Program aims to remove financial barriers and empower students facing financial challenges to pursue personal exploration, activities, and enrichment opportunities over the summer break.

Eligibility criteria:

• The Student Application and all supplemental materials must be submitted to SchoolPower before the grant application will be considered.
• The applicant must be currently enrolled as a student at Laguna Beach High School in 9th through 11th grade for the 2023-2024 school year and be planning to return as a student in the 2024-2025 school year. Graduating 12th graders are not eligible.
• The grant program is designed to support students whose families are low or moderate income in order to help remove financial barriers to access summer enrichment experiences. To be eligible, one of the below criteria must apply:
  • The applicant’s family must qualify as a low or moderate income under the State of California Department of Housing and Community Development income limits for Orange County as depicted in the chart below. The total annual household income of all adults living in the household and the number of persons living in a residence is used to determine income level for these purposes. Income reported should be from your household’s 2023 tax return (form 1040 line 9). Further documentation may be required by SchoolPower.
  • The applicant’s family does not qualify based on the income requirements described above, but has special circumstances or reasons to request financial assistance.

Grants must be used to cover tuition and other approved expenses related to attending the program (for example: transportation, housing, food, required specialty clothing) for a summer program chosen by the student/family and as described in the submitted application. (SchoolPower does not directly refer to or endorse any particular summer programs.)

• Examples of summer programs that may be supported with the grant include: leadership program, science camp, college affiliated exploration program, sports camp, etc.
• Students must identify the summer activity as being aligned with their interests and goals for personal growth in the application.
• The program to be attended must be located in the continental United States.

Applications will be processed for approval by SchoolPower on a rolling basis as they are received, although submission of an application does not guarantee receipt of a grant. SchoolPower has complete discretion over the awarding of all of its grants and all decisions regarding grants made by SchoolPower will be final and not subject to review or appeal. first-come, first-served basis. Grant funds are limited and all applications must be received by May 24, 2024 to be considered.

• After the Summer Experience Grant Student Application is submitted, each applicant student and their parent/guardian will be contacted via email and may be asked for additional financial documentation. Applications will not be considered by SchoolPower until all documentation is received.
• The grant amount awarded will vary based on family income level, identified summer program cost, and funds available. Grants awarded may be up to $4,000.
• Once grant amount is determined by SchoolPower, student and parent/guardian will be required to sign a Grant Agreement and asked to return a completed W-9 Form before funds are released.
• All grant funds will be paid directly to the parent/guardian or emancipated minor from SchoolPower. Each parent/guardian or emancipated minor will be responsible for all costs associated with the summer program of any type or nature, including any amounts that exceed the amount of the grant received from SchoolPower
• Per IRS Topic No. 421, this grant may be taxable as income. The parent/guardian will receive an IRS Form 1099-MISC from SchoolPower for 2024. SchoolPower requires a completed Form W-9 on acceptance of the grant. Please consult your tax advisor for further advice.
• Please note: If you plan to participate in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), be sure you understand and follow their regulations regarding accepting funds for athletic purposes. We recommend that you consult with the NCAA Eligibility Center to learn more about NCAA amateurism rules and ensure your eligibility. SchoolPower is not responsible for ensuring your NCAA eligibility.
• Upon completion of the summer program, grant recipients commit to sending SchoolPower a photo(s) of themselves at the program/camp and a short testimonial about the summer experience. A form will be emailed to the student for completion. This information will remain confidential unless SchoolPower requests permission to use it for marketing purposes.

If you have any questions during this process, contact Cara Borkovec, SchoolPower Family Support Specialist, at cara@lbschoolpower.org or 949-497-7700 x6204.