Financial Aid & Scholarships
Last updated: October 23, 2026
No player should miss out on EKS because of cost. Each season the club sets aside a limited scholarship fund for families with financial need. Scholarships are need-based, limited by the fund, and approved by club management. This policy follows the approach used by Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS CARES) and the school-meal income guidelines Virginia schools use.
1. What a scholarship covers
- A reduction of the EKS club fee for the season (registration and season fees paid to the club).
- It does not cover team costs collected by the team manager (tournament entries, travel, team extras) or uniforms. Teams may choose to help a family with these; ask your team manager.
- The family pays its share of the club fee on the usual schedule, and a payment plan is available.
2. Who qualifies (2026–27)
- Tier A: up to 75% off club fees. Household receives SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid, a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, or the player has an approved free school meals letter (LCPS or any school district); or household income is at or below the free-meal level (130% of the federal poverty guideline).
- Tier B: up to 50% off club fees. The player has an approved reduced-price school meals letter, or household income is at or below the reduced-price level (185% of the federal poverty guideline).
- Tier C: up to 25% off club fees. Household income is at or below 300% of the federal poverty guideline (reflecting Northern Virginia's cost of living).
- Temporary hardship: case by case. A recent loss of income (job loss, reduced hours, medical or family emergency) above these levels. Help is decided case by case and covers up to one season.
These are the most we offer at each level. The amount awarded depends on the fund available that season and the number of requests.
| Household size | Tier A (130%) | Tier B (185%) | Tier C (300%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $20,748 | $29,526 | $47,880 |
| 2 | $28,132 | $40,034 | $64,920 |
| 3 | $35,516 | $50,542 | $81,960 |
| 4 | $42,900 | $61,050 | $99,000 |
| 5 | $50,284 | $71,558 | $116,040 |
| 6 | $57,668 | $82,066 | $133,080 |
| 7 | $65,052 | $92,574 | $150,120 |
| 8 | $72,436 | $103,082 | $167,160 |
| Each additional person | +$7,384 | +$10,508 | +$17,040 |
Total yearly household income before taxes. Source: USDA income eligibility guidelines, July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027. Updated each July.
3. How to apply
- Apply in the Parent Portal (More → Financial aid), or email info@elitekickers.com if you can't use the portal. Apply when you register, and before the season's first payment is due where possible.
- Upload one document: a benefits letter (SNAP, TANF, WIC, Medicaid or Section 8), the school meals approval letter, or your most recent federal tax return (Form 1040). For a hardship, add a short note about what changed.
- Club management reviews requests within 10 days and emails the decision. A request that comes after the season starts can still be considered, for the rest of the season.
4. How decisions are made
- Scholarships are approved by club management only. Coaches and team managers are not part of the decision.
- The fund is limited. When requests are more than the fund, Tier A families come first, then B, then C, and requests are considered in the order received.
- An award covers one season (fall and spring of the same year). Families apply again each season.
- Scholarships never affect team placement, playing time or how a player is treated. They depend only on need.
5. Privacy
- Requests and documents are seen only by club management, never by coaches, team managers or other families.
- Income documents are deleted as soon as the decision is made. We keep only the decision, the tier and the amount.
- We never share a family's scholarship with anyone outside club management.
6. Keeping a scholarship
- The family keeps up with its share of the fees and follows the Code of Conduct.
- Tell the club if your situation improves during the season.
- A scholarship given on false information is withdrawn, and the full fee becomes due.
- The Refunds & Cancellations policy applies to the part the family pays.
7. Other ways to help
Families and businesses can support the scholarship fund through sponsorship. Questions: info@elitekickers.com or 571-207-8813.
Elite Kickers Soccer Club (“EKS”), Ashburn, Virginia. Questions about this policy: info@elitekickers.com or (571) 207-8813.