Scholarship Guidelines

Dana Point Harbor Youth Foundation believes that every child, regardless of background, can benefit from sailing education. The scholarship program that we offer defines the heart of our mission, which is to help improve the lives of young people in south Orange County, by providing the opportunity for youth to participate in the sport and to glean the life skills, benefits, and joys of sailing.

  • Scholarship applicants are evaluated without regard to race, religion, national origin, gender, or physical ability.
  • Funding is limited and scholarships are not guaranteed to all applicants.
  • Scholarships may be less than the amount requested by the applicant. Scholarships to the children or grandchildren of DPHYF staff or Board Members shall only be granted by a unanimous vote of all DPHYF Board Members with any requesting Board Member excluded from the vote. Scholarships to the children and grandchildren of DPHYF staff or Board Members shall be limited to 25% of all scholarships granted in any year.
  • Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
  • Scholarships will be awarded based on need and merit.

Scholarship FAQ

Which sailing programs does scholarship from the Dana Point Harbor Youth Foundation cover?

DPHYF provides scholarships for a variety of youth sailing programs in the Dana Point Area, including Mariners 936 Sea Scouts, the JSerra High School sailing program, Dana West Yacht Club junior sailing and Dana Point Yacht Club junior sailing. Scholarship applicants will inform DPHYF of their choice of sailing programs on the scholarship application.

Where does the money come from?

Scholarships are made possible through donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations. DPHYF is a 501(c)(3) organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

Does a scholarship cover all the costs?

DPHYF gives both full and partial scholarships. However, scholarships cover only the fees and tuition associated with sailing camps and education programs. There may be additional costs associated, such as transportation, supplies, gear, and race entry fees. DPHYF scholarships do not cover these additional costs.

Who is eligible for a scholarship from DPHYF?

Any student enrolling in youth sailing programs in the Dana Point area is eligible to receive a scholarship from DPHYF. Scholarships to children and grandchildren of employees or Board members of DPHYF are restricted and limited.

Am I guaranteed a scholarship?

No. Due to funding, there are a limited number of scholarships available. Our scholarship committee carefully reviews every application and selects recipients based on financial need and merit.

By applying for a scholarship, am I registering my child for a sailing program?

No. DPHYF partners with a variety of sailing programs to fund sailing education and scholarships. However, enrolling your child for a specific sailing program is a separate process. Scholarship applicants will inform DPHYF of their desired sailing program on the application. If selected, scholarship recipients will need to enroll directly in their choice of sailing program and DPHYF will give the program the fund to cover the tuition.

Will I be able to select my program or schedule?

Absolutely. Dana Point is home to many exceptional youth sailing programs and DPHYF is proud to partner with all of them. Selecting the program and schedule that works best for your family is completely up to you. If selected, scholarship recipients will need to enroll directly in their choice of sailing program and DPHYF will give the program the fund to cover the tuition.

When are applications due?

Dana Point Harbor has several youth sailing camps and programs that start throughout the year. Due to the mix of programs and schedules available, DPHYF accepts scholarship applications throughout the year on an ongoing basis. Scholarship selections are chosen per the stated criteria and granted based on available funds.