MAC Financial Aid Program Information

General Info

There are two separate financial assistance programs available to you as MAC families.  The MAC Financial Aid Program is strictly a MAC program and to apply you must meet certain team requirements (see below).  The MD/USA Swimming Outreach Program is applied for through MAC but is separate from the MAC Financial Aid program and is supported by MD and USA Swimming.  If you are interested in these programs, please read through the information below as well as the linked and attached documents.  If you have questions, please contact Coach Chris ([email protected]).

MAC Financial Aid (Reduced Team Dues) Program

This program is designed to help MAC families who have a need for help paying the MAC monthly dues. 

For the 2025-2026 Season, MAC has allotted a total of $5500 in dues reduction to qualifying families.  Once the application period ends, a panel of board members will meet to discuss the results and provide as much aid as possible to the MAC families who have applied.  We will prioritize based on the families most in need. There is a limit of $750/swimmer or $1,500/family.

Families must meet the following criteria to apply:

  • Be members in good standing for at least 6 months prior to the application deadline.
  • Have met the volunteer hours requirement for the previous season.
  • Swimmers must maintain the following attendance requirements while a family is receiving financial aid:
    • Swimmers with 5 or more practices per week 80%
    • Swimmers with 4 or less practices per week 70%

There are two application periods for this program.

  1. From the opening of the upcoming year registration through August 26th - Families who apply during this period will be notified of their financial aid award status by August 31st.  Any financial aid award will be applied to the family's Team Unify account before the September 1st dues payment is charged.  For 25-26 the applications are open from Friday, August 15th – Tuesday, August 26th.
  2.  Rolling applications will be accepted throughout the year for families who have a significant change in financial status.  Families who apply during this period need to notify Coach Chris ([email protected]) and applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  Any financial aid credits throughout the year is contingent on the amount of remaining funds in the MAC Financial Aid $5500 allotment.

How to Apply for the 2025-2026 Season:

  • Email Pat Kaplan ([email protected]) by Tuesday, August 26th, 2025
  • Include the following:
    • Swimmer's name(s) and practice groups.
    • A letter explaining the reason for your Financial Aid application.
    • Include any documentation that you feel necessary to justify your application.  The more thorough your explanations and justification, the easier it is for the review panel to justify giving financial aid.
  • Pat will compile any applications, review that the application criteria is met, and submit them anonymously to the review panel.
  • Decisions will be communicated to families by Sunday, August 31st, and any awards will be immediately applied to family TU accounts as a credit.

 

MD/USA Swimming Outreach Program

Any family can apply for the MD/USA Swimming Outreach program separately or in conjunction with MAC Financial Aid.  MD/USA Swimming Outreach reduces the USA Swimming Registration fee from $102 to $7 and families are reimbursed by MD Swimming for meet entries at all meets swum in the Maryland LSC.  Below are links to information about the program:

In order to qualify for this program, your family must provide MAC with proof of eligibility from a Federal, State or Local governing agency.  One of the following documents is required:

  • Food Stamps Eligibility
  • Lunch/Breakfast Program Eligibility
  • Federal Poverty Guidelines
  • Fuel Assistance Program
  • Medical Assistance Program

If you have questions about this process, contact Pat Kaplan ([email protected]).