Financial Assistance

The John Apple Swim Fund is offering financial assistance for Lancaster County youth participants and families who cannot afford the full cost of a USA swimming membership.

Each request for aid is considered on a per season basis and applies to registration fees only. The amount of aid and number of family members/swimmers receiving aid is dependent upon available funding and is not guaranteed from year to year. We require supporting documentation to verify household size and income, and we consider special circumstances when providing assistance. Applications for financial aid will be kept confidential.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Download Financial Aid Application
2. Complete form and sign
3. Mail form to John Apple Swim Fund
   487 Letort Road, Millersville PA 17551

The John Apple Swim Fund will be awarding TWO $1,500 scholarships (one time award) in 2022. The scholarships are available to Lancaster County swimmers.

If you are graduating from a Lancaster County high school and committed to the sport of swimming, we encourage you to take a closer look at the application below.

Scholarships will be awarded on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis. Our selection committee consists of individuals who have a background in swimming, but have no affiliation with a specific swim team or swimmer.

Questions regarding the scholarships can be submitted to Mindy Ascosi.

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ($1,500)

Available to swimmers in their SENIOR year of high school who plan to pursue college swimming. One Male and one Female will be chosen for this award.

Deadline: April 18, 2022

2021 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Connor Paladino is a graduate of Manheim Township High School and a member of Five Star Swim Team. This fall Connor will attend Pittsburg University where he will major in Chemical Engineering and swim for their men’s swim team. Connor was an active member of Student Government, Key Club and Mini-Thon. Connor was a district and state qualifier for PIAA swimming.

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Kierra Parsons is a graduate of Ephrata High School and a member of Five Star Swim Team. This fall Kierra will attend Randolph-Macon College where she will major in Pre-Med and German and will swim for their women’s team. During her high school career, Kierra was was an active member of Student Council, National Honor Society, and Orchestra. She was also a volunteer at Worship Center Elementary Ministry where she taught and mentored students. Kierra was a league and district qualifier for PIAA swimming.

2020 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Jake Houck is a graduate of Donegal High School and a member of Elizabethtown Aquatic Club. This fall Jake will attend Penn State University where he will major in Kinesiology and swim for their men’s swim team. Jake was an active member of Link Crew and volunteered with his church. Jake was a district and state qualifier for PIAA swimming and named to the Lancaster-Lebanon League All Star Team.

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Hailey Fry is a graduate of Donegal High School and a member of Elizabethtown Aquatic Club. This fall Hailey will attend Clarion University where she will major in Digital Media Communications and swim for their women’s swim team. During her high school career, Hailey was a multi-sport athlete and participated in swimming, track & field, and tennis. She was also an active member of Mini-Thon, Link Crew, Booster Club and Friends of Rachel Club. Hailey was a district and state qualifier for PIAA swimming.

2019 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Oliver Lance is a graduate of Warwick High School and a member of Five Star Swim Club. This fall Oliver will attend Carnegie Mellon University where he will major in Information Systems & Computer Science and will swim for their men’s swim team. During his high school career, Oliver was Senior Class President, Membership Chair of National Honor Society, and Captain of Warwick’s swim team. He was an active member of Link Crew, Unite and Orchestra where he was chosen for District orchestra and Lancaster County orchestra. Oliver was a district and state qualifier for PIAA swimming.

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Lauren Nedrow is a graduate of Conestoga Valley High School and a member of Five Star Swim Club. She will attend University of Pittsburgh this fall. Lauren was Treasurer of CV’s National Honor Society and swam for CV’s high school swim team. Her many years of involvement in Scouts and Venture Crew have led to numerous leadership positions. This past year she co-founded a girls’ BSA troop where she continues to inspire young girls to follow a path to Eagle Scout rank and is promoting future equality. She also volunteers at Lancaster General Hospital.

2018 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Nathan Heisey is a graduate of Hempfield High School and was a member of Five Star Swim Club. Nathan attends Monmouth University where he majors in Math and swim for their men’s swim team. During his high school career, Nathan made honor roll every semester. He was captain for swimming, named to the Lancaster-Lebanon All League team, a District medalist and received State honorable mention. Nathan stayed active in our community by lifeguarding at the Hempfield Rec and volunteering for organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and Schrieber Pediatric.

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Katie Carrasco is a graduate of Cocalico High School and was a member of Five Star Swim Club. She attends Grove City College and swims for their women’s swim team. Katie actively volunteered for several organizations throughout our community. She developed and ran an after school tutoring program for Cocalico students. She was a member of Cocalico’s Student Advisory Team, Student Government, and Symphonic Band. She was a district qualifier for both high school swimming and track & field. For the past 4 years Katie has worked as an Optical Technician.

2017 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Erika Schell is a graduate of Donegal High School and was a member of Elizabethtown Aquatic Club. Erika attends Lebanon Valley College where she majors in Physical Therapy and swims for their women’s swim team. During her high school career, Erika was captain for Swimming, Track & Filed, and Cross Country. She was Vice President for Donegal’s Performing Arts Club, a member of National Honor Society, Math Honor Society and Tri-M Music Honor Society. Outside of school she was actively involved in her church, and girl scouts. Erika was a district and state qualifier for PIAA swimming. 

JOHN APPLE SWIMMING AWARD

Hailey Fry attends Donegal High School and currently swims for Elizabethtown Aquatic Club. In addition to being a straight A student, Hailey is a member of her high school swim team and qualified last year for PIAA Districts and Mid-Atlantic Senior Champs. Hailey is an active member of Girl Scouts and Orchestra.

2016 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Meghan Brubaker is a graduate of Lampeter-Strasburg High School and was a member of Elizabethtown Aquatic Club. Meghan attends Juniata College where she majors in Marine Biology, minors in Spanish, and swims for the Women’s swim team. During her high school career Meghan made honor roll every semester, was voted captain of her high school swim team, and participated in orchestra. She volunteered for several organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Yellowstone National Park, Lancaster Head Start Day Care, and her summer swim team the L-S Otters. 

JOHN APPLE SWIMMING AWARD

JD Zellers attends Solanco High School and swam for Diplomat Swim Club. He is a PRIDE Ambassador, member of Student Senate, participates in Solanco’s Gifted Extensions program in addition to Track & Field and Cross Country.

2015 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Jenna Walmer is a graduate of Donegal High School and was a member of Elizabethtown Aquatic Club. Jenna attends Bridgewater College where she majors in Political Science and Peace Studies, and swims for the Women’s swim team. In addition to swimming, Jenna was president of Donegal’s marching band and a member of concert band, jazz band, Key Club, National Honors Society, Math Honors Society, Tri-M Music Honors Society, and Link Crew.

JOHN APPLE SWIMMING AWARD

Victoria Wang graduated from Hempfield High School and swam for Diplomat Swim Club. She was a member of her high school swim team, a district and state qualifier, a member of Varsity Club and active in Hemfield’s Mini-THON.

2014 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

JOHN APPLE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Mikaela Schell is a graduate of Donegal High School and was a member of Elizabethtown Aquatic Club. Mikaela attends Messiah College where she majors in Nutrition/Dietetics and swims for the Women’s swim team. A very accomplished student and swimmer, Mikaela was Secretary of her class, a district qualifier in swimming, active in yearbook, cross country, prayer group and National Honor Society.

JOHN APPLE SWIMMING AWARD

Seth Bare graduated from Lampeter-Strasburg High School and swam for Marauder Aquatic Club. In addition to being an excellent swimmer and student, Seth was active in marching band, concert band, jazz band, and pit and full orchestra. He was a member of the National Honor Society.