Junior Sailing Scholarship Program

Online Application

The Sailing Foundation of Barnegat Bay would like to reach out to young people in our area and provide them with a sailing scholarship. The purpose of the program is to introduce children to sailing on the Toms River and Barnegat Bay. It is directed to children whose parents are not members of a yacht club. Parents of children who wish to participate must be able to meet the financial need requirements established by the foundation.

Children ages 8 to 14 are eligible to apply for the scholarship and must be able to provide an Optimist dinghy or Sunfish with a dolly, as well as an approved PFD (life jacket), footwear and sailing attire as required by the particular program.

The scholarship is for one year. It will cover only tuition for sailing instruction at one of our participating area junior programs. All extra fees, such as those for social or junior club membership, would be the responsibility of each applicant.

The application must be signed by the child’s parent or guardian and must include a signed letter of recommendation from a sponsor who is an active member of a participating yacht club. To complete the application, we ask that the applicant submit a short essay outlining their reasons for wanting to learn to sail. After the application is received, an interview with the child by members of the foundation may be requested.

The Sailing Foundation of Barnegat Bay (formerly the Island Heights Sailing Foundation) is pleased to offer a onetime needs based scholarship for junior sailors ages 8-14 who have no yacht club affiliation. In order for your child to be eligible for the SFBB Junior Sailing Scholarship there are several requirements that are necessary: 

1. The applicant and parents must be non yacht club members.
2. The applicant must have a sponsor letter with signature from an active member of the participating yacht club. Not all yacht clubs on Barnegat Bay participate in the program.
3. Applicant’s parents must meet the financial needs requirements of the SFBB Foundation ( please see the requirements listed on the application ).
4. The applicant must have the availability of an Optimist Pram or Sunfish with a dolly for the program. The host yacht club or SFBB may be able to provide some direction to support parents in finding/chartering a boat for use during the program.
5. The applicant must be able to swim and pass the YC required swim test.
6. The applicant must provide their own approved life jacket (PFD), footwear and sailing attire.
7. The applicant must be able to provide their own transportation in a timely fashion to and from the program.
8. Once accepted into the program the applicant must comply with all the rules and regulations pertaining to Junior Sailors of the participating Yacht Club.
9. The applicant agrees to write a one page summary of the sailing experience at the end of the program. Parts of the summary may be used by SFBB for marketing purposes with the applicant’s name redacted.

To apply for a scholarship to SFBB, complete all of the steps below.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

1. Complete the scholarship application including the contact at the hosting yacht club.
2. Attach one of the following to show proof of need:
   1. Proof of being on a government assistance program (i.e. – free and reduced
   2. lunch; Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, etc.)
   3. Proof of household income
   4. Notice of work layoff
   5. Emergency medical issue
   6. Other – to be reviewed by committee
3. Provide an essay by the junior sailor stating why he/she would like to learn to sail.
4. Complete the Inherent Risk form.

Download Form Below

Inherent Risk Form (click here)

Please send the completed Application, Inherent Risk Form, Signed Sponsor Letter and Essay to:

Victoria Duff
Scholarship Coordinator
Sailing Foundation of Barnegat Bay
4 Oriole Ct.
Toms River, NJ 08755
email: duff4@comcast.net