The mission of the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club is to provide an opportunity for community youth to develop their potential as skiers and snowboarders and become champions in sport and life. The costs involved in skiing and snowboarding and competing at the regional and national levels can be burdensome, so the JHSC Scholarship Program was established to help mitigate these costs. Scholarships are offered to offset both program tuition/fees and travel-related expenses.
Please see application requirements and deadlines for Need- and Merit-based Scholarships at the bottom of this page.
Scholarships are funded by the JHSC Annual Scholarship Fund, the Wes Barron Memorial Scholarship Fund, and JHSC's endowments.
Wes Barron Memorial Scholarship Fund: Through the efforts of the Barron family and the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club, the Wes Barron Scholarship Fund has been established in his name and is making a difference in the lives of local children. Thanks to the generous support of donors, Wes' Fund is able to help local kids with financial need to participate in Alpine racing. Young athletes are eligible to receive financial assistance with program fees, equipment costs, and race expenses. Through this fund, Wes continues to positively impact and inspire local kids who otherwise may not be able to participate in the sport. Wes Barron Scholarships are need-based and are administered though the JHSC Scholarship Program as described below in the need-based application process. Donate to the Wes Barron Scholarship Fund here.
The Karen Oatey Scholarship Endowment Fund (KOSEF) at the Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club has been established by her loving family as a way to share Karen’s love for winter sports with young athletes in financial need. The fund honors Karen’s desire to give back to the community while introducing and supporting Jackson Hole’s young athletes as they develop their own passions for winter sports and the outdoors. The KOSEF balance is nearing $600,000. The annual return of this fund helps support annual JHSC scholarship awards.
The Betty Woolsey Olympian Endowment (BWOE) was created to support those athletes who have demonstrated athletic achievement at the highest levels of their sport, who are named as JHSC Merit Scholars. To support Merit-based Scholarships, one can donate directly to the endowment; alternately, gifts to the JHSC Annual Scholarship fund that are designated by the donor "Merit-based" are used as follows: 90% of these gifts will fund the Betty Woolsey Olympian Endowment for future merit-based support, and 10% of these funds will be distributed to current Merit Scholars.
Supporting these funds ensures our ability to maintain and increase our support to local athletes with financial need; gifts will be recognized as fully tax-deductible donations to JHSC—a 501(c)(3) organization. Donate online, by check to JHSC (PO Box 461 Jackson, WY 83001), or through gifts of stock (contact Ali Sehnert at 733-6433).
In the event that an athlete qualifies for both need-based and merit-based scholarship support, they may apply for funding through both the need- and merit-based funding processes described below.
- Need-based Scholarships
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Need-based scholarship awards are based on demonstrating financial need. As only a limited amount of scholarship funds are available, all families must pay a portion of their expenses. With need being the highest priority, the Scholarship Committee also requires that applicants for these scholarships can demonstrate commitment to academics and success in school, JHSC programming, and JHSC core values.
- Families with children in high school/U16 & older or those who do not attend school in Teton County, WY (public or private):
will apply directly through JHSC’s application process. The application period is June 1 - June 30 (for U16 & older athletes only) or August 1 through September 30 dependent on program start date. Awards will be communicated to the applicants by July 31st via email including an award agreement. Tuition is due in full by December 31. Access the online application below. Review scholarship need metrics.
Need Based Scholarship Application - Families with children attending school in Teton County, WY (public or private) in grades 8 and younger or U14 equivalent programs and younger:
will apply through One22. JHSC partners with One22 and the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole in the Extracurricular Opportunity Scholarship. Your application will be submitted and reviewed by both One 22 and JHSC. Through this partnership, JHSC matches scholarships awarded through the Extracurricular Opportunity Scholarship. Funds awarded by One 22 and matched by JHSC will be applied to the student’s account at JHSC. The application period is open August 1 through September 30. Awards will be communicated by One22. Tuition is due in full by December 31. Please register your child while you are awaiting scholarship award, as many programs fill to capacity, and select the payment plan option. If the initial payment is a financial barrier to complete your child's registration, please contact Julie in the Business Office info@jhskiclub.orgVisit the One22 website for application forms.
- Additional financial support for U14 age travel expenses may be requested through JHSC during this application period. Email info@jhskiclub.org for a unique family/application number and a link to the online application.
- Families with children in both categories above: submit an application to both entities.
Please contact Julie Klomparens at the JHSC business office with questions 307-733-6433 x102 or info@jhskiclub.org
Funds for Need-based Scholarships are drawn from the Annual Scholarship Fund and the Wes Barron Memorial Scholarship Fund (created specifically for Alpine need-based scholarships).
Scholarships and other financial aid are also available through outside organizations such as US Ski & Snowboard, IMD, and NAASF. Please contact your coach or Program Director for more information.
- Families with children in high school/U16 & older or those who do not attend school in Teton County, WY (public or private):
- Betty Woolsey Merit-based Scholarships (U16 & older)
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The Jackson Hole Ski & Snowboard Club started the Betty Woolsey Olympian Endowment in 1992 in honor of Betty Woolsey. Ms. Woolsey was a member of the 1936 U.S. Women's Olympic Alpine Ski Team and continued her involvement with the U.S. Team as a competitor and as the Captain of the Women's team. The Betty Woolsey Olympian Endowment helps to recognize and support personal achievement and the excellence that she exemplifies. The endowment is currently over $100,000. The annual return of this fund, as well as donations to the Annual Scholarship Fund designated for "merit-based scholarships", provides these awards.
Criteria for Merit Scholarships
U16 or older student-athletes or equivalent based on sport (YOB 2008 or earlier)
The general criteria for Merit Scholarships are
1. Athletic merit in competitive skiing or snowboarding (points, results, strength of competition schedule, invitations to special projects, placement on regional or national teams, etc.) See below for more specific criteria guidelines by sport
2. High level of commitment to excellence in their sport and personal development (including academics)
3. Degree to which athlete represents the mission of the JHSC
4. Adherence to the established JHSC student-athlete Code of Conduct and JHSC core values
Sport-specific Criteria for Funding (from lowest to highest):
Invitation to high performance non-commercial or regional camp/project
Competing in US Junior Nationals or USASA Nationals
Competing in US Nationals
NorAm Level Competition
Placement onto a NCAA Division I Ski Team
World Championships or equivalent
US National Team selection, camps or projectsMerit scholarship applications are assessed based on the level of merit represented according to both the general criteria and the sport-specific criteria, which also take into consideration the depth of the competition field.
To Apply
The annual application deadline for merit-based scholarships is 5PM on the second Friday after spring break. Applicants will be notified of merit scholarship decisions within 30 days. Applicants for Merit Scholarships must submit:
1. A letter of application [500 words or less] explaining:
- Your current accomplishments and your long-term goals
- Your commitment as a student-athlete
- Your commitment to the JHSC mission and values, providing specific examples
2. A budget representing your current expenses and obligations to continue pursuing your goals and how you would intend to use Merit Scholarship funds. Keep in mind that funds may be granted in recognition of an external expense or opportunity, but distributions to merit scholars will be credited to the athlete’s JHSC account and not to third parties.
Please submit your application to Ali Sehnert ali@jhskiclub.org
Award amounts have ranged from $500 to $2,000. The total amount awarded varies year to year dependent upon the level of merit achieved as well as the number of applicants.
Successful applicants will be named a JHSC Merit Scholar. All distributions to Merit Scholars will be credited to the athlete’s JHSC account if possible.
If the Merit Scholar breaches their contract with JHSC, JHSC retains the right to withhold any restricted funds received for that individual and distribute those funds as it sees fit for the best benefit of the organization and its mission.
