Questions Parents & Athletes Ask Us
Answers pulled directly from GAD's eligibility and award guidelines — including how scholarships actually get funded, insurance coverage, and the application process.
Eligibility & Getting Started
I just started racing this year and don't have much race history yet — can I still apply?
Yes. The general standard is at least one sanctioned race in the current or immediately preceding season, but first-year athletes with no prior race history may be considered case-by-case at the awards committee's discretion. Ask your coach to speak to your trajectory in their recommendation letter.
My team isn't NICA-affiliated — am I still eligible?
K–12 applicants must hold active membership on a NICA-affiliated team; collegiate applicants must be on a recognized collegiate cycling team. If your team doesn't meet either standard, this requirement isn't currently met — contact us if you have questions about your specific team.
My cumulative GPA dropped below 3.0 last term but I've since brought it back up — can I apply?
Yes, as long as your cumulative GPA is 3.0 or above at the time you apply. Athletes are only ineligible for the specific award period in which a deficiency occurs, and may reapply once the required GPA is restored. Be ready to provide a transcript or grade report if requested.
What do we need to prove Utah residency?
You must be a current Utah resident. Proof of residency may be established with a valid Utah driver's license or state ID, a current utility bill, or similar documentation in the applicant's name (or a parent/guardian's name for minors).
Does homeschooling count as being "enrolled in an accredited Utah school"?
Yes, if you can provide documented transcripts generally recognized as comparable to a K–12 transcript by a reasonable, applicable standard. If you're not sure your program qualifies, reach out to us before applying.
Award Amounts & Funding
How does the program work?
GAD awards use a Milestone Bonus Model driven by self-sourced fundraising. Athletes are admitted into the program based on a holistic eligibility review (the six requirements on the Eligibility & Apply page). Once admitted, you raise funds for your season and keep 75% of every dollar raised; GAD retains 25% to fund operating costs and seed future scholarships, adding fixed bonus credits to your award balance as you cross fundraising thresholds — which you receive through eligible expense reimbursements, like all other funds. Worked examples are on the Mission & Purpose page.
How are bonuses earned?
Bonuses are fixed thresholds, not competitive tiers. When your fundraising crosses $2,000, a $250 bonus is added to your award balance as a credit; at $5,000, a $500 bonus; at $10,000, a $1,000 bonus — always credited from GAD's retained share, for total earned awards of $1,750 / $4,250 / $8,500 respectively. Crossing a threshold never triggers a direct payment: like all other funds, bonuses reach you by submitting eligible expense reimbursements.
Your fundraising scale doesn't influence admission — it determines which milestones you cross after you're admitted.
What does "self-sourced fundraising" mean?
It means you raise your own season funds: local businesses and community supporters donate to GAD — a registered 501(c)(3) — tax-deductibly, in support of your competitive season. You keep 75% of everything raised for your athletic season; GAD's 25% funds operations and future scholarships.
Is there a cap on how much can be reimbursed?
Yes. Total reimbursable expenses — including both the athlete's and an accompanying adult's meal allowances — can't exceed your retained funds (75% of what you raised) plus your earned milestone bonuses per calendar year, unless additional sponsor dollars are procured, subject to the same 25% withholding. GAD will not add funds beyond that cap regardless of actual expenses incurred.
Is there a limit on how much we can raise?
No — there's no ceiling on self-sourced fundraising, and every dollar raised grows your retained 75%. What is capped is annual reimbursements: they can't exceed your retained funds plus earned milestone bonuses per calendar year (see the question above).
Can I apply again next season if I don't receive a Scholarship — or after I've received one?
Yes — every season you want support for is its own application, evaluated on that season's criteria. An athlete who received a prior award must have submitted all required post-award documentation to remain eligible for future consideration.
Is the $50/day meal allowance on top of my award, or does it come out of it?
It comes out of it. Meal allowances for the athlete — and for an accompanying parent/guardian, if the athlete is a minor — count toward your total reimbursable funds (your retained 75% plus earned milestone bonuses). They aren't extra funding on top.
Do we receive funds upfront, or is this reimbursement-only after we pay?
Reimbursement-only. Families pay for approved expenses first, then submit itemized receipts within 30 days of the funded activity or season ending to be reimbursed. GAD does not disburse award funds upfront — plan and budget accordingly.
As an award recipient, do I need my own medical insurance?
Yes. GAD's general liability insurance policy does not cover individual award recipients' competitive activities — families are responsible for their own medical insurance.
Self-Sourced Sponsorship
If a local business wants to sponsor my child, do they pay us directly or donate to GAD?
They donate to Grove Athlete Development. Because GAD is a registered 501(c)(3), a sponsor makes a tax-deductible donation to GAD in support of a specific athlete's season instead of paying the family directly. Funds raised this way count toward the athlete's retained 75% and their fundraising milestones.
Is a sponsor's donation to GAD tax-deductible?
Donations to GAD, a registered 501(c)(3), are tax-deductible, but specifics depend on the donor's individual situation. We'd recommend any donor consult their own tax advisor to confirm deductibility for their circumstances — we're not able to give tax advice ourselves.
Does GAD keep any of the money our sponsors donate?
Yes — GAD retains 25% of every dollar raised to fund its operating costs and seed future scholarships. The remaining 75% is the athlete's. So a sponsor's gift does double duty: it funds your athlete's season, and it helps other athletes too!
Does securing a sponsor guarantee my child receives a Scholarship?
No — securing sponsors doesn't guarantee anything, and it doesn't need to. Admission is the qualification gate: it's decided by the holistic eligibility review, not by fundraising ability. Once an athlete is admitted, though, the milestone bonuses are fixed and guaranteed — cross $2,000 raised and a $250 bonus is added to your award balance as a credit from GAD's share, and likewise at $5,000 ($500) and $10,000 ($1,000) — received through eligible expense reimbursements, like all other funds. See How Funding Works for the complete picture.
Applying
When can we apply, and when will we hear back?
Any time of year — applications are reviewed within up to 30 days, and you'll hear back once the committee has decided.
What documents should we have ready before starting the application?
A written recommendation from your current head coach or team director, a simple estimate of your season's costs (fees, travel, lodging, equipment, coaching), and — if requested — an official transcript or grade report.
Can we edit our application after submitting it?
Yes, you can edit your submitted response. However, once the committee has begun reviewing your application, there's no guarantee that edits will be considered — so treat your original submission as the one that counts, and edit promptly if you catch an error.
After You Apply
What happens if we're selected?
You'll hear back by email once the committee has decided — applications are reviewed within up to 30 days of submission. Before any funds are disbursed, the athlete (or a parent/guardian, for minors) must sign a scholarship agreement provided by GAD, covering the terms of the award and a liability release for accidents, injuries, or bodily harm related to the athlete's participation. That agreement is still being finalized.
What do we need to do after the season or event to keep the funds?
Submit itemized receipts for all claimed expenses within 30 days of the funded activity or season ending, whichever comes first. Receipts need to clearly show the expense, amount paid, and date. Missing this deadline makes an athlete ineligible for future awards until the documentation is resolved.
If we're not selected, will we know why, or can we ask for feedback?
Feedback may be provided upon request, but it's entirely at GAD's discretion — there's no requirement or promise that feedback will be given. All committee decisions are final.
Still have a question?
Reach out directly and we'll get back to you — and add the answer here if others are likely to ask the same thing.