Fee Reductions: We’re Here to Help

Fee Reduction Nights
Stop in to Arlington Mill Community Center and get assistance applying for a fee reduction (for summer camp or any other program) during these special times: Thurs. Jan. 23 from 6-8 p.m. and Thurs. Jan. 30 from 12-2 p.m. Learn more.

Access for All: Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day 

Parks & Recreation classes, camps, fitness memberships, preschool, programs and more are at a price you can afford! Our fee reduction program helps Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day! Access for All. Whether you have a short-term set back or something longer term.   

The Arlington County Fee Reduction Policy bases discounts on total household income and size relative to the currently-published HUD’s Section 8 income limits. If your household income is below the threshold, most of Parks & Recreation fees could be reduced. Any member in a household that has qualified for a fee reduction can receive a fee reduction.

All Arlington County Parks & Recreation programs, fees and services are eligible for fee reduction except for personal training, private swim sessions for adults, adult leagues, payment for events or renting a facility (picnic shelters are included for fee reduction).  

Fee reductions, payment plans, and financial hardships are available if you qualify and live in or own property in Arlington County or if you are an Arlington County employee or member of these households.

Share information about fee reductions in English(PDF, 2MB), Spanish(PDF, 2MB), Arabic(PDF, 1MB), Amharic(PDF, 4MB), and Mongolian(PDF, 2MB).

Financial Hardship

Fees are not intended to stop you from participating in Parks & Recreation programs. If your household is experiencing a financial hardship but does not meet the fee reduction eligibility requirements, a separate process is available whereby you may apply for a hardship exemption for certain fee-based programs for a period of up to six months. Requests for temporary financial hardships must be made in writing by completing the Financial Hardship Request form. Hardship approvals will be determined based on documented inability to pay the published fee. Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day! Access for All. Let us work together.

How to Apply 

(Please note we are required to make copies of your documentation for our files)
  • Complete the online application form or fill one out at a community centers.  
  • Provide:  
    • SECTION A: Proof of identity
      • U.S. driver’s license or passport from any country.  
    • SECTION B: Proof of residency
      • Driver’s license (with Arlington County address) or lease agreement/recent utility bill with the applicant’s name.  
    • SECTION C: Proof of financial need
      • Letter from Arlington County Department of Human Services client can ask their caseworker to inform the Department of Parks & Recreation of status to qualify.
      • Documents that prove income for an entire household:  
        • Current Arlington Public School letter verifying eligibility for free or reduced lunch. We will accept the letter for the previous school year through September 30th. After that date, you will need the approval letter for the current school year.
        • Department of Human Services Woman, Infant and Children Program (WIC) (Benefit Letter required)
        • Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) or Food Stamps (Benefit Letter required)
        • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (Benefit Letter required)
        • Qualifying letter from DHS employee in Child & Family or IDD Services  
        • Tax returns (1040 or 760) filed within last 12 months  
        • Medicaid (Benefit Letter required)
        • Letter from a governmental agency as proof of unemployment in addition benefit letter that states monthly income, “adult individual enrollments only.”    
      • Documents that prove income for an individual. Only an individual (not family members) will qualify for fee reductions if one of the following is provided:  Current Arlington Public School letter verifying eligibility for free or reduced lunch. We will accept the letter for the previous school year through September 30th. After that date, you will need the approval letter for the current school year.
        • Current Arlington Public School letter verifying eligibility for free orreduced lunch. We will accept the letter for the previous school yearthrough September 30th. After that date, you will need the approvalletter for the current school year.
        • Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (Benefit Letter required)
        • Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) (Benefit Letter required)
        • Unemployed adult (as long as any other income does not exceed the Section 8 guidelines). Accepted for verification is showing a valid unemployment check or statement or a letter from the previous employer.  
All fee reductions must be renewed annually.

 

Fee Reduction Schedule

Section 8 Definitions of % of Median Income Income Limits Effective May, 2024
% Household Pays Household Size
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 or More
25% of Fee $32,500 $37,150 $41,800 $46,400 $50,150 $53,850 $57,550 $61,250
50% of Fee $54,150 $61,900 $69,650 $77,350 $83,550 $89,750 $95,950 $102,150
75% of Fee $68,500 $78,250 $88,050 $97,800 $105,650 $113,450 $121,300 $129,100

*Information based upon Federal Section 8 Medium Income Determinations for Arlington County, VA.

Have questions or need further assistance, call 703-228-4747.

The following locations are open to process fee reductions in person. 

Arlington Mill Community Center: 909 S Dinwiddie St., (22204)
Open: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-7 p.m.

Barcroft Community Center: 4200 S Four Mile Run Dr. (22206)
Open: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-7 p.m.

Fairlington Community Center: 3308 S. Stafford St. (22206)
Open: Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m 
Closed: Sunday

Gunston Community Center: 2700 S. Lang St. (22206)
Open: Monday - Friday: 6 – 9 p.m. and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed: Sunday

Langston-Brown Community Center: 2121 N. Culpeper St. (22207)
Open: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closed: Sunday and Thursday 

Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center: 333 Long Bridge Drive (22202)

Lubber Run Community Center: 300 N. Park Dr. (22203)
Open: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-7 p.m.

Madison Community Center: 3829 N. Stafford St. (22207)
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Closed: Sunday

Thomas Jefferson Community Center: 3501 2nd St. S (22204)
Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed: Sunday

Walter Reed Community Center: 2909 16th St S, 22204
Open: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 1-7 p.m.

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