Scholarship Opportunities for RAYS swimmers in 2025
The RAYS Board of Directors is thrilled to announce for 2025 it will again be offering several recognition opportunities for eligible RAYS swimmers.
All opportunities are not just for graduating seniors. Some are available for ANY aged, eligible RAYS swimmer. Please see the below descriptions for the specific requirements and any restrictions.
Applications will be accepted through February 28, 2025.
Both the Clesner Grant and the Family Merit Grant will be awarding each recipient with $1000 added to the swimmer’s account to go towards monthly dues and meet fees.
The RAYS will also be awarding The Graduating Senior Scholarship in the amount of $500 to one of our graduating seniors.
The Wang Family and the RAYS will be presenting five (5) scholarships to the top five graduating senior applicants in the amounts of one (1) for $1,000, two (2) for $750, and two (2) for $500 (2).
Please forward any questions to the RAYS Vice President, Joe Bertoldi, at [email protected].
All RAYS interested in applying must first request an Applicant Number via an email to the RAYS Bookkeeper at [email protected]. When provided, this Applicant Number must be used throughout the application process. The Applicant Number is used to both protect the applicant’s privacy and to ensure an objective selection process. The judges will not be made aware of the applicant’s identity.
Again, completed applications are due no later than February 28, 2025.
Mail completed applications to: RAYS Bookkeeper, PO Box 866, Stafford, VA 22555-0866. They may also be submitted via email to: [email protected].
Michael & Jennie M. Clesner Grant Program
The RAYS are excited to offer the Michael & Jennie M. Clesner Grant Program. The Clesner family has always made it a priority to ensure children are always able to participate in swimming, no matter what their financial standing. The Michael & Jennie M. Clesner Grant is available to RAYS athletes who have been accepted into the Outreach program, who are in good standing with the RAYS in Bronze, Silver, Gold, Gold 1, and High School Performance program groups. The intent of this program is to provide financial assistance to those swimmers who consistently demonstrate a sincere commitment to maximizing their swimming potential.
Click here to go to the Clesner Grant Application
RAYS Family Merit Scholarship
The RAYS are excited to offer the RAYS Family Merit Scholarship. The scholarship is available to any RAYS athlete members of USA Swimming who are in good standing with the RAYS in Bronze, Silver, Gold, Gold 1, and High School Performance program groups. The intent of this scholarship is to reward and recognize the educational and athletic commitment taken on by the student and thank them for being a part of the RAYS.
Click here to go to the Family Merit Scholarship Application
RAYS Graduating Senior Scholarship
The RAYS are pleased to be offering a Graduating Senior Scholarship to a graduating RAYS swimmer in the amount of $500. The scholarship will be paid to the senior to go towards college expenses. Applications will be judged on the basis of grade point average (GPA), extracurricular/leadership/community activities, letters of recommendations, and a short essay.
Click here to go to the Graduating Senior Scholarship Application
The Helen Wang Memorial Scholarship
The Helen Wang Memorial Scholarship - The Wang Family and the RAYS are honored to present the Helen Wang Memorial Scholarship. Helen was an amazing role model, student, and champion to so many and was taken from us too soon. Helen was a friend to everyone she met and left a piece of herself in everyone's heart. The scholarship fund was established to not just honor Helen but to continue her dream to make a difference in the lives of others. The gift will be awarded to five (5) graduating seniors. Applications will be judged based on academic scholarship, volunteerism, having a minimum of 5 A (or better) swim times in SCY or LCM, letters of recommendation, and a short essay.
Thank you for your effort and involvement with the RAYS and your interest in these opportunities! Again, completed applications are due no later than February 28, 2025.
Click here to go to the Helen Wang Memorial Scholarship Application
Good luck.
