The Recreation Scholarship Program provides $500 per youth to register for Sunnyvale Recreation activities, camps and classes.

Funding Limits

Recreation Scholarship resources are limited and shared among all approved applicants. As scholarship funds are used, the total pool decreases. Once program funds are fully expended, they will no longer be available.

If you have unused scholarship funds in your Recreation Activities account when funds are depleted, we will notify you. Any remaining balance will be withdrawn.

We encourage families to plan to use their scholarship funds as early as possible in the program year.

Scholarship Availability

The scholarship funding cycle runs Jan. 2 through Dec. 31, 2026.

Application Deadline: Submit your application Dec. 12, 2025 through Nov. 30, 2026.

Application Eligibility

To be eligible you must meet the following requirements:

• Sunnyvale resident
• Age 17 or younger
• Meet income limits

Income Limits

*The U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annually releases the Area Median Income (AMI).  Sunnyvale Recreation increased the AMI requirement from 30% of AMI to 80% of AMI.

Distribution and Use of Scholarship Funds

Awarded scholarship funds are applied directly to your online Recreation Activities account.

• Funds may be used when registering for qualifying programs by phone or in person.

Unused scholarship funds are withdrawn at the end of the program year. They can’t be carried over into future funding cycles.

Misuse of scholarship funds may result in your family’s removal from the Recreation Scholarship Program.

Scholarship funds may only be used for classes, camps, or activities offered directly by the City of Sunnyvale Recreation Services Division.

Scholarship funds may not be used for:

• Administrative fees
• Facility reservations
• Sunnyvale Theatre tickets
• Youth leagues or programs operated by outside agencies
• Supplies, equipment, or any fees not charged directly by the City of Sunnyvale

Additional Benefits for Approved Scholarship Recipients

Swim Benefit: Enjoy the Recreation Swim program for just $1 per person instead of the regular $5 fee. Bring a copy of your Scholarship approval letter to the pool to receive the benefit.

Sunnyvale Youth Basketball League (SYBL): Receive a reduced registration fee to participate in the 2027 SYBL season.

How to Apply

1) Check your eligibility

Review the eligibility requirements above to see whether you qualify.

2) Collect the required documents

You’ll need to include the following documents with your application:

Required for all applicants:

• Current, valid photo ID of a parent or legal guardian
• Birth certificate or official documentation showing legal guardianship for each child listed on the application

Depending on your eligibility path, submit one of the following:

If you are currently enrolled in a Qualifying Program:

• Proof of current enrollment in one of the Qualifying Programs listed below
• If your proof of enrollment does not show your home address, you must also include proof of Sunnyvale residence

If you are not enrolled in a Qualifying Program:

• Proof of Sunnyvale residence (such as a current utility bill dated within the last 3 months)
• Copy of your most recent income tax return with W-2
• Copy of a recent paycheck stub

Qualifying Programs

• Applied for school’s Free/Reduced Lunch Program (not automatically enrolled)
• Foster Care Youth
• McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance (through the school district)
• Medi-Cal for Youth
• Refugee Cash Assistance
• Reside in a shelter and attend a Sunnyvale school
• Section 8 Housing
• Sunnyvale Community Services – active participant in programs or services
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP/CalFresh)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for youth or parent/guardian
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF/CalWorks)
• WIC (Woman, Infant and Children)

3) Submit application by the deadline

Submit your application and all required documents by the deadline noted above.

• Recreation Scholarship Application - English
• Recreation Scholarship Application - Spanish
• Recreation Scholarship Application - Chinese, Simplified

You may submit your application either in person or by mail to:

• Columbia Neighborhood Center, 785 Morse Ave., Sunnyvale, 94085
  Phone: 408-730-7800

• Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E. Remington Drive, Sunnyvale, 94087
  Phone: 408-730-7350

For your privacy and security, do not submit applications by email. Email is not a secure method for transmitting personal or sensitive information.

4) When you will hear from us

Allow up to four weeks for us to review your application. We will notify you of your application status by email or postal mail, depending on your preference.