The Town of Aurora will begin accepting 2025 F.A.I.R. Access applications online and in-person as of November 18, 2024. All applications must be resubmitted annually with appropriate supplementary documentation to verify eligibility. Please complete an application form for 2025 even if you have successfully received funding for 2024.
F.A.I.R. Access
F.A.I.R. Access (Fee Assistance in Recreation) is a confidential fee assistance program for residents of Aurora to use for meaningful access to recreation programs and memberships. Qualifying Town of Aurora residents may receive up to $250 per person per calendar year to use towards a recreation program or drop-in activity of their choice. Residents qualify based on their L.I.M. (Low Income Measure) as per Statistics Canada.
Application Timing & Processes
The approximate processing time for Fee Assistance applications is 2 to 4 weeks from the time of submission. We strongly advise that families apply well in advance (minimum 4 weeks) before the designated registration start date of the program you wish to register for. You will be notified by a Town Employee via phone or email advising you of your application status. Funding is not retroactive, and cannot be applied or used towards registrations made prior to funding approval.
How to Apply
Simply complete this online form and provide all required documents.
F.A.I.R. Access - Application Form
FAQ's
Check out the list of frequently asked questions.
| How do I register for a program once my application has been approved? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Please view our "How to Register" file for instructions on how to register online. |
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| When can I register for a program? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Once you receive confirmation of funding approval, please check program registration dates in your Recreation Guide or on our Program Guide webpage.
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| How long does the application and approval process take? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Applications will be reviewed as they are received and may take up to 4 weeks to review, process and approve. Please check registration dates ahead of time to ensure adequate amount of time for your application to be reviewed prior to registration opening. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Is there an age limit to apply for this funding? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. Financial assistance through the Town’s F.A.I.R. Access program is available to Aurora residents of all ages. Residents only qualify based on their L.I.M. (Low Income Measure) as per Statistics Canada. Unlike some other subsidy programs available that residents may be familiar with, there are no age cut-offs associated with this financial assistance program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What is L.I.M. - Low Income Measure? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Low Income Measures (L.I.M.'s) are a set of thresholds estimated by Statistics Canada that identify Canadians whose incomes are below half of the median of the adjusted income distribution. To be eligible for F.A.I.R. Access Funding, your family income (after taxes) must be below or at the income listed in the Statistics Canada Low Income Measure cut-off table (see chart below). Family size includes you, spouse, partner and dependents living in the household.
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| Does approval of my application guarantee program choice? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. Registration in programs is dependent on space availability. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Is there any parent/guardian contribution required after funding has been provided? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| There may be. If a program cost exceeds the $250 provided, the family must pay the remaining balance of the program. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What is my timeline to use my funding? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Funding must be used within the calendar year it was provided. Please note due to the high demand of this subsidy program, staff will be conducting two audits per year to monitor use of funds by approved recipients. In the event that this program has a waitlist, you may be requested to use funds by a specified date. Failure to do so may result in funds being reallocated to waitlisted individuals. Notices to use funds will be communicated with all recipients well in advance to allow for reasonable time to register for programs and services. This audit process helps to ensure that all funds awarded are being utilized by residents. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What are the 2025 audit dates for approved recipients of this subsidy? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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April 7, 2025 and July 25, 2025. Closer to each audit date, recipients will receive communication from staff reminding them of these upcoming audits and deadlines to use any unused funds. Those no longer wanting to register for a recreation program or those that have not used any funds year to date, will have their previously approved subsidy reallocated to wait-listed individuals following the completion of each audit. Recipients that acknowledge they still intend to use the subsidy within the fiscal year will be able to keep funds on their account. |
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| Do I have to reapply for F.A.I.R. Access Funding every year? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yes. Applications must be resubmitted with appropriate supplementary documentation each year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What is the total amount of funding I can receive? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Each person can receive $250 per year. If applying for multiple people in the same family, each family member would receive $250 per year. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| What can I use my funding for? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Any recreation program or membership offered by the Town of Aurora. This includes but is not limited to:
Note: F.A.I.R. Access funds cannot be used for facility bookings and rental fees. |
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| If I don't finish my funding, can I apply it to my child? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No, unused funds cannot be redistributed to any other family members. Each person is capped at $250 per person. Unused funds will expire on your account at the year-end cutoff date so that they can not be used in future years. |
Contact
Franco DeMarco
Recreation Supervisor, Community Programs
365-500-3158
Email Franco DeMarco
