Reduced Fee Criteria and Eligibility for Recreation, Ice Center and SOAR Programs

The department of Parks & Recreation will allocate up to $5000 annually for fee reductions. Fee reductions will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. If funds are depleted prior to the end of that fiscal year (May 1 - April 30) the reduced fee program will be complete for that year.

For applicants to be eligible for reduced fees, the following requirements must be met:

•  Applicants must provide proof of residency (ie. current monthly bill with address).

· Recreation and Bloomington Ice Center program participants must reside within the corporate city limits of Bloomington.

· SOAR participants must reside within McLean County.

• Participants must be 18 years of age and under for Recreation and Bloomington Ice Center programs. Proof of age may be requested by our office but is not required at application. There is no age limit for SOAR participants.

• Total family income does not exceed 185% of the Federal Poverty Guideline.

• Applicants must provide income documentation. Individuals receiving Public Aid must submit an official public aid form listing public aid income received and all members who are eligible. Individuals not receiving public aid, but who are able to document a hardship case can submit income tax returns, social security assistance, recent pay slips or any other document that will show a record of the family’s annual income.

· Applicants are guaranteed that their personal finances will not be discussed outside the department. It is the primary responsibility of the Department to maintain a level of privacy regarding the applicants’ financial status.

• Applicants must provide a completed application, along with their income and residency documentation. A minimum of 50% deposit for each program to secure a place in the program (Day Camp participants must pay the initial reduced fee for enrollment of the first week/participant). If a deposit is not given, the program may be filled while the process is being completed. 

• Reduced Fee Application (PDF)

Reduced Fee Eligibility Criteria

• Reduced fees will be limited to a maximum of $200 per person, per fiscal year (May 1- April 30).

• Eligible Summer Day Camp participants may receive up to 25% reduction and eligible Recreation, SOAR, and Ice Center Program participants may receive up to a 50% fee reduction per program.

· Reduced fees will only be granted for recreation programs solely sponsored by the Bloomington Parks & Recreation Department.

· Reduced fees are not eligible for programs when primary costs are contractual, e.g. trips and tours, gymnastics. Contractual Instructors are paid on a per-person or percentage of fees collected basis. Should these independent contractors want to give assistance, they do so at their own discretion.

· It will be the judgment of the individual Recreation Program Managers to approve fee reductions for classes in their program areas. The Director, or Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation will make a final decision if issues or questions arise.

·Reduced fees for T-ball, after school sports, ice skating, hockey programs and other special interest programs will be allowed, after the minimum number of registrants needed to break even have registered, provided space is available in the class when the reduced fee is requested. For every three (3) fully paid registrations above the minimum, one partial fee will be given, up to the maximum class registration.

• Reduced fee applications will be accepted up until two weeks before a program starts. Applicants will be notified of a decision at least one week before the program starts if all their paperwork is completed.

• Individuals receiving a reduced fee for day camp may register for more than one session at the same time but must pay what is due for the first session before starting the next session. 

Aquatics Season Pool Pass Fee Assistance information

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