Hope Floats Foundation

Swim Lesson Scholarship Through Hope Floats

Every child deserves access to lifesaving water safety skills — regardless of their family’s financial situation. That’s why Tiny Fins Survival Swim has partnered with the Hope Floats Foundation, a national nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood drowning by providing swim lesson scholarships to families in need. Through this partnership, qualifying families in our Missouri and Arkansas communities can receive financial assistance to help cover the cost of survival swim lessons at Tiny Fins.

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What Is the Hope Floats Foundation?

Hope Floats is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that connects children living in poverty with high-quality swim lesson providers across the country. Founded in 2016, the organization now partners with over 200 swim schools in more than 30 states. Hope Floats raises funds in local communities and directs those dollars into scholarships that cover a significant portion of swim lesson tuition — up to 90% in many cases — so that cost is never the reason a child misses out on learning to save themselves in the water.

Who Qualifies for a Swim Lesson Scholarship?

The Hope Floats swim lesson scholarship is available to families who meet USDA Income Eligibility Guidelines. If your child qualifies for free or reduced lunch, your family may be eligible for scholarship support. Families who receive the scholarship are asked to contribute a small portion of the lesson cost, making survival swim training accessible without being completely free — because families who invest in their child’s safety tend to stay committed to the process.

How to Apply

Applying for a swim lesson scholarship through Hope Floats is simple. Visit the Hope Floats Apply for Assistance page and complete the Confidential Application for Tuition Support. You’ll also need to provide a copy of your most recently filed Federal Tax Return with Social Security numbers removed. Make sure your application is fully completed before submitting — incomplete applications will not be reviewed. The review process typically takes 3 to 4 weeks. Once approved, Hope Floats will direct scholarship funds to Tiny Fins so your child can begin their survival swim training.

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Why Survival Swim Lessons Matter

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4. It happens silently and in seconds — in pools, bathtubs, ponds, and puddles. Research shows that formal swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. At Tiny Fins, our one-on-one survival swim lessons go beyond basic swimming. We teach children as young as 6 months old the swim-float-swim technique, giving them the muscle memory to roll onto their back and float if they fall into the water unexpectedly. It’s not just a swim class — it’s a skill that could save your child’s life.

Help a Child in Your Community

Want to help make swim lesson scholarships possible for families in need? You can donate directly to the Hope Floats fund at Tiny Fins. Every dollar raised stays in our local community and goes toward providing survival swim training for children who wouldn’t otherwise have access. Contact us at learn2swim@hopefloats.foundation for scholarship questions, or visit our locations page to learn more about where we offer lessons.

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Joining the waitlist is free. Each child's place is secured once their one-time $30 registration fee is paid. Lessons are $32.50 each at our Missouri locations.