SPI is able to offer a generous number of NEED-based tuition waivers in 2026. This is available to qualifying families at the launch of registration.This ensures accessibility to any child who wishes to enroll in fun, hands-on summer enrichment and play-based STEAM learning, regardless of household income barriers.  Note that camp spots fill up quickly for all registrants.

We offer financial assistance at two levels, explained below. Please read and select applicable tuition level at registration. 

1. AccessTuition, made possible by the Knox County Foundation 

This covers over 85% of the standard program registration fee. 

To qualify, families must: 

- Reside in Knox County,

- Earn a household income equal to or less than 200% of the federal poverty level ($66000 for a family of 4), AND 

- Provide verification of EBT card and matching ID after registration as requested by SPI staff. 

During registration, parents/guardians should choose the  "ACCESS tuition" level if they meet the above criteria. See these simple charts which detail income qualification levels for various family sizes and is presented as weekly, monthly, or annual wages: https://www.projusticemn.org/fedpovertyguidelines/

2. Supported Tuition

This is for families who may not qualify for public assistance but still need financial support. It enables 50% off the cost of the regular program fee. As a general guideline, this means households earning roughly 200% - 350% of the federal poverty level. See these simple charts which detail income qualification levels for various family sizes and is presented as weekly, monthly, or annual wages: https://www.projusticemn.org/fedpovertyguidelines/

 Income refers to total household income before taxes. We will also consider recent job loss (with limited savings/extenuating circumstances), high medical expenses, or other emergency challenges as potentially qualifying a household. 

To qualify, families must: 

- Reside in Knox County,

- Earn a household income equal between 200% - 350% of the the federal poverty level (for a family of four that's $66,000 - $115000 per year, $5500 - $9625 per month, or $1270-$2200 per week). See chart for other family sizes: https://www.projusticemn.org/fedpovertyguidelines/

- Verify qualification when prompted by staff (this does not occur before registration, just proceed if you know you qualify). 

- If you qualify, choose "Standard fee" as the tuition label during the registration process and then enter the coupon code HelpingHands2026 at checkout. You can't get BOTH a SPI member discount AND half-off tuition, so even if you are a SPI member, choose STANDARD fee as tuition level and then apply coupon during checkout. 

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP DURING REGISTRATION

If you meet the income criteria specified above (see these simple charts which detail income qualification levels for various family sizes and is presented as weekly, monthly, or annual wages: https://www.projusticemn.org/fedpovertyguidelines/), follow these steps WHILE registering and the system will know to automatically apply the proper pricing to the programs in your cart: 

1. Access Tuition: Choose "Access Tuition" as your tuition level during registration.

2. Supported Tuition: Choose "Standard fee" as your tuition level when you select camps.  On a later checkout screen, you'll be presented the option to apply a coupon code at checkout.  Enter the coupon code: HelpingHands2026. 

One your registration is confirmed, you'll later be asked to verify eligibility. 

FAQs:

What is a household? A household for our purposes means family members living together in a shared home, sharing income and expenses. Roomates living in the household who are not family members should not be accounted for in your eligibility calculations.  Family members living the household with independent income and expenses should not be accounted for in your eligibility calculations.  

What is combined household income? This means the total income before taxes for everyone in household contributing to shared expenses.

Can I set up an installment payment plan? Yes an option is set up to enable this. But  ONLY for families who qualify for ACCESS or  SUPPORTED tuition who can not otherwise pay the full balance due upfront. If you'd like to arrange this, please make the deposit as part of the initial registration process and know that the balance due for each session of camp you've registered for will be due at least one week prior to first day of that camp session. If making the minimum $5 deposit at registration time is an immediate hardship for you (or if you lack access to credit and need to pay for camps in cash) select the cash payment option at checkout when you register and then send an email to our office manager Jane at [email protected] to explain your circumstances and arrange the details for covering your fees.