Maryland-National Capital Parks and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) provides fun and engaging programs and activities for the public regardless of financial status! Our Fee Assistance Program allows Prince George's County residents with financial hardship the opportunity to experience our programs and services at a reduced rate. Discounts range from 20% to 90%, depending on the level of need as determined by the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Prince George’s County resident clients who are interested in receiving Fee Assistance should be instructed to complete a Fee Assistance Application and return it to any staffed facility as quickly as possible. The application process begins the day a completed application package is received. The process is expected to take up to three weeks.

Approved clients may be granted Fee Assistance at rates of 20%, 50%, 70% or 90%, depending on their level of financial need. The available thresholds are based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines provided by the U.S. government. This approval, if granted, is only valid for registrations that take place in the approval period (one year from effective date).

For Example: Fee Assistance granted on August 4, 2018 may be applied to registrations done through August 3, 2019. As the approval period comes to an end a new application must be submitted and reviewed. The earliest a new application can be submitted is three weeks before the expiration date (in this example, July 12, 2019) so that there is no gap in service.

Clients must re-apply for Fee Assistance once per year! In order to accurately assess the level of financial assistance our clients deserve, it is important to have their financial need verified each year with current income and family size information. All decisions are final and no appeals will be considered.

A customer is eligible if:

• They are a resident of Prince George’s County (must re-verify address with valid proof of residency).
• (If not the primary applicant themselves) They are a dependent of the primary applicant as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Only legal guardians may apply for Fee Assistance on behalf of their dependents.
• They are a verified PARKS DIRECT customer on the applicant’s account.
• Their registrations are being paid for by the main contact on their account. Any registrations paid for by third parties are disqualified from using Fee Assistance as well.
• They have submitted a complete Fee Assistance application.

A program is eligible to be discounted if:

• It has a fee greater than $35.00. Linked courses (e.g. extended care) are exceptions; they receive the fee assistance percentage identical to that granted to the primary course.
• It is not offered by either a Recreation Council or a Boys and Girls Club.
• It is not a sports league.
• It is not a rental of any kind. (Tennis/racquetball contracts and court reservations are counted as rentals.)
• It is not a Summer Playground or an Xtreme Teen Center.
• It does not take place at an employee child care facility.
• It is not a fee for materials, supplies, equipment, team participation, private lessons, registration, food/concessions, picnic kits, amusement park tickets, etc.
• It is not an admission fee (drop in or otherwise) to a performance or program.
• Does not fall under the “Trips and Excursions” category.