Player Assistance

SYHA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

***Are CURRENTLY being accepted***

Scholarship applications for travel team players due by July 25, 2025 and October 15th, 2025 for 8u and House Teams

Don't delay!

PLAYER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM GUIDELINES:

The Saugerties Youth Hockey Association (SYHA) is committed to providing the opportunity for young athletes to participate in youth hockey at all levels. Scholarships are made available through SYHA fundraising activities with a goal of providing financial support to those players who might otherwise be unable to participate. The criteria to obtain financial assistance includes: demonstrated financial need, positive membership standing within the Association, and a solid commitment to SYHA. Each year a limited number of scholarships are available to finance a portion of the registration fees for players on a SYHA youth team. Team account payments, travel costs and equipment expenses are not funded by this program. 

As the 2025/2026 hockey season prepares to start, please be aware that for those with financial needs, there are SYHA Scholarships available. The Saugerties Youth Hockey Association (SYHA) is committed to providing the opportunity for young athletes to participate in youth hockey at all levels. Scholarships are made available through SYHA fundraising activities with a goal of providing financial support to those players who might otherwise be unable to participate. The criteria to obtain financial assistance includes demonstrated financial need, positive membership standing within the Association, and a solid commitment to SYHA. Each year a limited number of scholarships are available to finance a portion of the registration fees for players on a SYHA youth team; team account payments, travel costs and equipment expenses are not funded by this program. Scholarships are awarded based on demonstrated financial need and are objective and non-discriminatory.

CRITERIA: 

1. Youth Hockey Players ages 5-17. 

2. The applicant must be in good standing with SYHA and USA Hockey. 

3. The applicant and family must be committed to participate for the complete season of which they are applying for. 

4. Players with a demonstrated need for financial assistance. Preference will be given to those applicants whose families qualify for public assistance programs such as school lunch subsidies, medical assistance, and unemployment insurance. Additional consideration will be given to applicants experiencing special hardship circumstances. 

APPLICATION PROCESS 

1. Applicants must submit a confidential Scholarship Application to the attention of the SYHA Scholarship Committee by 7/25/2025 for travel players and 10/15/2025 for 8U and House players. 

2. Late submissions will be addressed on a first-come, first-serve basis dependent on funding. 

3. The SYHA Scholarship Committee, which consists of the SYHA President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer will review all applications and determine the grants based on eligibility, the total number of applicants, the amount of available funds, and other factors considered relevant by the committee. 

4. The SYHA Scholarship Committee reserves the right to request additional information at the time the scholarship is being considered. 

5. Applicant’s names and all information provided will be kept strictly confidential. Only the SYHA Scholarship Committee will review the applications.

6. All decisions of the SYHA Scholarship Committee are final; there is no appeal process. 

DETERMINATION PROCESS 

1. As part of its annual budget, SYHA will determine a dollar amount that will be set aside for financial assistance. Funding for this program comes from donations given specifically for hockey scholarships along with any additional budget dollars designated for financial assistance at the discretion of the SYHA Board of Directors. 

2. In August/September, the SYHA Scholarship Committee will review all completed applications received by the 7/25/2025 for travel players and 10/15/2025 for 8U and House players deadline. 

3. Scholarships will be awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis, based on demonstrated financial need. 

4. Scholarships will be provided in the form of reduced SYHA registration fees. 

5. All applicants will be notified prior to the registration period closing. 

6. Applications received after the above deadlines will be addressed on a first-come, first-serve basis based on remaining scholarship funds.

Michael Funk Memorial Fund

Michael began playing hockey at 11 when out of the blue, he asked his Mom to sign him up. Michael’s Mom located Saugerties Youth Hockey and signed him up for the house program. With the assistance of his amazing coaches despite being new to hockey he flourished in the sport from a pre-teen who could not skate to a fearless force on the ice. 

After house, Michael joined a local high school league until SYHA formed their own league and of course he found his way back to his home ice. Upon graduating high school, Michael played on the men’s team and could frequently be found assisting new skaters. 

Hockey is in his families genes, his sister is now a Fillies skater carrying on her brother's love of the game. The Michael Funk Fund will allow players to receive protective gear when they cannot afford it that fits appropriately. Helmet purchases will be prioritized. 

Skate Safely and Skate for those that can no longer.

In Loving Memory of Michael Funk