Financial Assistance

The YMCA of the Upper Main Line is a not-for-profit organization committed to helping people grow in spirit, mind and body. The Y is community based and believes that its programs and services should be available to everyone regardless of ability to pay. This program has a sliding fee scale that is designed to fit each individual's financial situation. No eligible person will be turned away.

All YMCA members receive the same membership benefits regardless of whether they are receiving assistance. The YMCA of the Upper Main Line is an organization that cares greatly for the well being of people and is committed to building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.

Eligibility and level of assistance will be determined once a completed application and supporting information is submitted.

How Do I Apply for Financial Assistance for Membership?
“My Y” Memberships - If your household income is below $70K, then you are automatically eligible for our sliding scale rates.  All you would need to do is stop by the Welcome Center with a copy of your latest IRS 1040 tax form and we’ll tell you what rate you qualify for right on the spot.  If you do not file an IRS 1040 form or you are experiencing an extreme financial hardship and cannot afford your “My Y” Membership rate, you can fill out this financial assistance application.

How Do I Apply for Financial Assistance for Programs, Childcare and Summer Camp?
You need to fill out and submit the Financial Assistance application.  Please understand that even though the Financial Assistance Committee will consider all requests of each applicant, the purpose of the Upper Main Line Y is to promote Health and Wellness of individuals and families in the community.  To ensure that all qualifying applicants get financial assistance, the amount of aid may be limited by the resources available at the time the application is processed.

How Do I Get an Application?
You can either stop by the Welcome Center to pick up an application, call the Welcome Center to have one mailed to your residence or download and print the application at http://www.umly.org/branch/berwyn/default.asp (Choose “Programs and Classes” and under Advocacy, select “Financial Assistance”).  Along with the application, you will need to submit supporting financial documentation.

What Do I Need to Submit to Receive Financial Assistance?
You are required to submit the completed financial assistance application along with supporting financial documentation.  Please look at the following page to see what supporting documentation needs to be submitted.

AN APPLICATION THAT DOES NOT HAVE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

Where Do I Submit the Application?
Once you have filled out the application and have all your supporting financial documentation, you can hand it in at the Welcome Center, mail it to Upper Main Line YMCA, c/o Financial Assistance, 1416 Berwyn-Paoli Rd, Berwyn, PA 19312 or scan and email it to molly.alberts@umly.org.  For your safety, please black out all social security numbers.

How are Decisions Made?
The decisions are made by a volunteer committee.  The committee uses a sliding fee scale based off of Chester County Assistance guidelines that is dependent on the number of people in your household and total income.  The sliding fee scale gets updated yearly.

How Often Does the Volunteer Committee Meet?
The committee meets every other week on Tuesdays.  This schedule might vary a small amount due to vacations or holidays.

What about Confidentially?
When the application is turned in, the Staff Liaison will take it and assign a number to that application; therefore all the applicants and their applications are kept confidential. 

I was Accepted…Now What?
Once you receive your award letter for membership, programs or camp, you can come into the Welcome Center and sign up.  If you are uncomfortable with going to the Welcome Center, you can make an appointment with the Staff Liaison.  If you apply for childcare, you will want to make an appointment with our Early Learning Center or with our Preschool Department to get registered in the program.  Once the child is in the program, your award will be applied.

How Often Do I Need to Apply?
All applicants will be reviewed once a year and will be required to re-apply every year to continue receiving assistance.  There may be special circumstances when the financial assistance committee will ask the applicant to re-apply more or less often.  The Staff Liaison might contact you with questions regarding your application or if additional information is needed.

YCares Application

Please download, fill out and return the completed application packet for consideration.