Financial Assistance Program

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

At Eagleclaw Football Club, we recognize that playing competitive soccer can require a significant investment of time and money. We work hard to make playing opportunities available to as many players as possible. We have a limited ability to provide financial assistance. The assistance we provide is almost exclusively in the form of a percentage reduction in the Annual Player Fee. Financial aid does not cover 100% of club fees. Financial assistance is available only to players who have already been invited to join an Eagleclaw team and accepted their invitation by registering. When the Financial Aid application window opens, it can be found on your Playmetrics account. To find the application, go to your Playmetrics account using a web browser (not mobile phone/App) click on "Club Programs", then click on "Financial Aid". On the next screen, you can click on the blue button at the top right hand of the window to "Request Financial Aid".

Frequently Asked Questions

01

What is the Club's position on Financial Aid?

Youth soccer is becoming more expensive as the costs for fields, league fees, tournament fees, referees, equipment, insurance, coach wages and taxes increase every year.

Although we are a non-profit corporation and our objective is not profit, we must still balance our books and run our Club in a fiscally responsible way for the benefit of our players and our employees.

We want to provide financial aid to as many of our economically deserving players as our Club can responsibly provide.

02

Should I apply for Financial Aid?

You should only apply for financial aid if you are economically deserving, based on the income criteria described in this document and you have a good faith belief that you need financial aid.

03

How do I apply for Financial Aid?

The Financial Aid application process will open on or about June 1, 2025.

Applications are accepted until June 30, 2025

The application process is entirely online via Playmetrics.

During the application process, you will be asked to upload documents establishing eligibility. Please upload the complete documents or you may receive notices requesting complete documents, delaying our ability to determine eligibility and make awards.

Financial Aid awards are made during July of each year.

04

How much Financial Aid is Awarded and what does the award cover?

In May/June of each year, the Club determines how much Financial Aid it can provide for the current season.
The total amount set aside for Financial Aid is generally based on the Club’s projected Net Season Revenue, which is estimated season registration revenue minus projected season expenses, minus a modest reserve. Net Season Revenue varies from season to season, which means financial assistance can be more or less available from season to season and in some seasons is not available at all.
The amount set aside for Financial Aid varies from year-to-year and season-to-season. We try to allocate the total amount set aside among the eligible players who have applied.
Only players who are registered with the Club, have selected an available installment payment plan and are current on their financial obligations to the Club are eligible to apply for financial assistance.
While the Club strives to do its best to assist players with demonstrated financial need, the Club is not obligated to grant any financial aid and may, in its sole discretion, decline to award Financial Aid for any reason.
The maximum financial aid award is 60% of the player’s Annual Fee.  This is the MAXIMUM amount, but PARTIAL awards may be issued.
Financial aid only  covers a portion  of the player’s Annual Fee.
Financial aid awards will be applied to the end of the player’s installment payment plan.
Families are responsible for paying the remainder of the Annual Fees after financial aid is awarded. 
Financial aid does not apply to uniforms, camps/clinics, tournament fees, expenses for away matches or out-of-area tournaments or any cost or expense other than the player’s Annual Fee.

05

How does Eagleclaw FC / Valencia CF Academy (Seattle) determine Aid Eligibility?

Tier 1 Priority for Awarding Financial Aid:  Those players with family incomes at 130% of the US Government Federal Poverty Level or below. Many years, this is the only group receiving financial aid given the volume of requests. Financial Aid awards may only be partial awards.
 
Tier 2 Priority for Awarding Financial Aid:  Those players with family incomes at 185% of the US Government Federal Poverty Level or below. Financial Aid awards may only be partial awards in this category.
 
Tier 3 Priority for Awarding Financial Aid:  Those families at 250% of the US Government Federal Poverty Level or below.  If financial aid money is still available to award the club will consider Financial Aid Awards in this category.  Financial Aid awards may only be partial awards in this category.
 
Tier 4 Priority for Awarding Financial Aid: Those families at 300% of the US Government Federal Poverty Level or below. If financial aid money is still available to award the club will consider Financial Aid Awards in this category.  Financial Aid Awards in this category will only be partial awards.

06

How do you calculate our household income to determine Aid Eligibility?

The FPL Guidelines we use are based on modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). We calculate your MAGI based on your Federal Income Tax Returns. MAGI includes all your income sources such as:
Salaries
Interest
Social Security payments
An easy way to calculate MAGI is the sum of:
Your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), found on line 11 of your 1040 Federal Income Tax Return, AND
Your tax-exempt interest income on line 2a of your 1040 Federal Income Tax Return.
With your MAGI and information regarding your household size, we reference the 2025 Federal Poverty Level chart below to determine eligibility.
For example, a 4-person household with a MAGI of $41,500 would be eligible for Financial Aid under Tier 1 Priority because a MAGI of $41,500 is 129% of the FPL.
You can calculate your own percentage of FPL using this online calculator: https://povertylevelcalculator.com/washington/?frm=results#fpl-calc-1

07

What documents will I need to provide?

We make our determinations with reference only to US Federal Tax Returns.
You will need your parents’ 2024 Tax Return.
If your parents are married and filing jointly, we need the joint tax return.
If your parents file tax returns separately, we will need each parent’s tax return.
For eligibility purposes, we do not accept school documents regarding free or reduced-price school meals.

08

Are there other conditions for receiving Financial Aid?

Players receiving Financial Aid must agree that:
They will pay all fees and charges not covered by Financial Aid
They will not withdraw from the Club during the Season except in cases of season-ending injury verified by the Club’s Executive Director or a family relocation more than 150 miles from Seattle due to military PCS orders or another family move accepted as qualifying by the Club’s Executive Director
They will attend all training sessions, matches and tournaments unless due to verifiable injury or illness.
They will not train, or guest play with any other soccer club, program or trainer without prior written permission of the Club’s Executive Director.