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USNDP Grants Application FAQsAnswers to frequently asked questions about all USNDP grant applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

The U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) Grant is an annual, reimbursement-based program for families supporting competitive junior golfers who demonstrate financial need and exceptional potential to progress through the USNDP pathway. The goal of the grant is to mitigate barriers of cost. Families receive reimbursement for qualifying expenses incurred by the athlete, in the categories of tournament entry fees, tournament travel, equipment, practice/green fees, and coaching fees, by submitting receipts for approved costs. In addition to funding, the program provides player development resources to athletes, including free access to Accel Golf, a user-friendly stat tracking app, and athlete development webinars led by the USNDP Coaching and Athlete Development team.

 

Athletes for consideration must fit within the following criteria:

  • Age: Athletes must be between 13-18 years old (turning 13 by January 1 of the grant award year) with a projected high school graduation date (or GED) no earlier than the grant award year
  • Amateur Status: An amateur as defined under the Rules of Amateur Status
  • Nationality and Residency:
    • Athlete must be U.S. citizen and cannot be receiving support or funding from another country
    • The athlete and their parent(s)/guardian(s) must currently reside in the continental United States, Alaska, or Hawaii (excludes U.S. territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other U.S. territories and possessions).
    • The parent(s)/guardian(s) must file taxes with the United States Internal Revenue Service.
  •  Handicap Index® Requirement:
    • The maximum Handicap Index® eligibility will be consistent with the requirements for entry into the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship (2.4 or better) and U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship (5.4 or better).  
    • A minimum of a full scoring record consisting of 20 scores.
    • Within the previous 12 months, eight (8) competitive scores (“C” scores) must be posted to the scoring record.
  • Financial Needs Requirement: The athlete’s family must meet the financial need parameters as determined by the USGA. 

During the open application period, parent(s)/guardian(s) can apply for the USNDP Grant through a secure portal, the USNDP Grant Management Center. 

New Applicants: Must first fill out a pre-screening survey to determine basic eligibility for a potential USNDP Grant. Families that meet the basic eligibility to be considered for a USNDP Grant will be emailed a link to a secure application portal to complete the application. 

Returning Applicants: To complete an application, use your current login for the application portal. 

The USNDP Grant Application opens annually:

  • All Athletes: Mid-July - October 31
  • USNDP State Team Members: 1st Monday in February - 1st Monday in March

 

USNDP Grant Application selection announcement emails will go out:

  • All Athletes: Late January
  • USNDP State Team Members (1st Monday of February - 1st Monday of March): 10 - 15 business days (excluding holidays) after the submission of the application.

 

No. Unfortunately, the application is only available during the open application windows listed above.

No. Application material submitted via email will not be taken into consideration.  Families must apply for the USNDP Grant using the application materials available through our secure portal, the USNDP Grant Management Center.

No. The USNDP Grant Management Center is designed for families to conveniently manage multiple athletes under one household account or one user login profile. Families should manage their athletes’ applications under one household account or one user login profile.

Total household income includes all money received by your parents or legal guardians, whether they live together or separately, including both taxable and non-taxable gross income. Common examples include:

  • Taxable income: salary/wages, interest/dividend income, capital gains, business profits, rental property income, etc.
  • Non-taxable income: family support, child support received, social security benefits, etc.

If you proceed to submitting a full application through the USNDP Grant Management Center portal, the committee will evaluate all requested tax documents to determine eligibility. Please note that some IRS tax deductions and exemptions that reduce your taxable income will not reduce your total household income for USNDP Grant purposes.

A Secondary Parent/Guardian is a parent or guardian who:

  • Lives in the same household as the Primary Applicant (the parent/guardian who initiated the application)
  • Is authorized to communicate with the USNDP Grants Team on behalf of the athlete
  • Can act on behalf of the athlete during the application process

When to Add a Secondary Parent/Guardian:

Add a Secondary Parent/Guardian if there is another parent or guardian in your household who you want to be able to communicate with the USNDP Grants Team on behalf of the athlete.

Important Notes:

  • The Secondary Parent/Guardian does not need to complete a separate application
  • The Secondary Parent/Guardian shares the same financial information as the Primary Applicant since they live in the same household
  • This is different from an "Additional Parent/Guardian" who lives in a separate household and must complete their own supplemental financial application

You must add an "Additional Parent/Guardian" to your application if there is a parent or guardian who:

  • Shares custody (including visitation rights) and/or provides financial support for the athlete, AND/OR
  • Lives in a different household than the Primary Applicant, AND/OR
  • Files taxes separately from the Primary Applicant

Note: Even if you have full custody, if the other parent has visitation rights, they must be added as an Additional Parent/Guardian.

The Supplemental Financial Application Process:

  • After the Primary Parent/Guardian submits the main application, the Additional Parent/Guardian will receive an email from the USNDP Grants Team with instructions for completing a separate, abbreviated Supplemental Financial Application
  • Applications are connected to the athlete(s), but financial information remains confidential between households
  • Both applications (primary and supplemental) must be submitted for grant consideration

Help Guide: Additional Parent/Guardian - Supplemental Application Process

All parents/guardians must submit the following documents:

Proof of filing directly from the Internal Revenue Service:

Federal Tax Return Documents: Submit all documents and forms filed as part of your most recent Federal Income Tax Return, including:

Additional Schedules (if applicable): If line 8 on Form 1040 shows additional income, also include:

Income Verification (if applicable):

  • All W-2(s) that combine to equal the amount reported on line 1A of Form 1040
  • Last two (2) pay stubs received from employer (must be issued within the previous two months of application submission)

If Unemployed (if applicable):

  • Copies of confirmation letter/email from your state's Department of Labor indicating PUA Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Business Shareholders (if applicable):

  • Additional relevant tax documents including Forms 1120S and 1065, Schedule K-1s, and related business income forms for any S-Corps or Partnerships where the applicant or family members have ownership interest

Please submit the following:

  • "Verification of Non-filing" letter from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
    • An IRS Verification of Non-filing Letter (VNF) provides proof that the IRS has no record of a filed tax form (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ) for the requested year. Note that a VNF only confirms that you did not file taxes; it does not prove that you were not required to file.
    •  Non-tax filers can request an IRS Verification of Non-filing, free of charge, from the IRS using one of these three methods:
      • Online
      • By Mail
      • In Person: Schedule an appointment at your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center
  • Most recently filed tax return, along with all supporting documentation outlined HERE, no older than 3 years from the time of the application

Please submit one of the following documents, dated within the last 60 days, to verify your residency of U.S. address:

  • Utility Bill (electric/gas/water/etc.)

  • Bank Statement 

  • Credit Card Statement

  • Mortgage/Rental Agreement 

Please DO NOT include links to personal websites or videos with slow motion or music.

Share a link to a YouTube Channel, Google Folder, or Vimeo Folder containing videos less than 60 seconds in length or shots edited together (less than 2 minutes total) of the following:

Full Swing Video (1 video for all shots edited together)

  • 2 Clubs  
    • Driver
    • 6-iron 
  • 2 Angles
    • Down the target line 
    • Face on

Short Game Video (1 video for all shots edited together)

  • 3 shots
    • Putt 
    • Chip
    • Bunker
  • 1 Angle
    • Down the target line

All of the video submission details listed above, along with helpful tips and resources can be located in the USNDP Grant Video Submission Help Guide.

Please ensure that the reference listed in the application is also the person who writes the reference letter and that their letter is written specifically for the USNDP Grant opportunity. The USNDP Grant Committee is looking for recommendation letters from either the athlete’s coach, school counselor, teacher, instructor, tournament organizer, Allied Golf Association or PGA of America Section representative, who can attest to the athlete’s character, work ethic, sportsmanship, and golf ability. The letter should note the relationship and level of interaction with the athlete. Please make sure the athlete’s reference includes their contact information (email address and phone number) as part of their recommendation letter. The recommendation letter cannot be from the athlete’s parent or guardian or family member or family friend.  

A “Family Statement of Intent” is a statement written by the parent/guardian and/or the athlete.  The family statement of intent should outline:

  • How the family intends to use grant dollars to further the development of their athlete
  • Their motivation for applying for the grant
  • Desire to be a part of the U.S. National Development Program
  • Athlete’s golf aspirations immediately after the completion of high school

The USNDP Grant Application Committee requires these materials to make a thorough evaluation of each application. If any requested items are missing from your application, the committee will be unable to complete a thorough evaluation of your application in comparison to applicants who have provided all requested application material, and your application may be deemed ineligible for consideration.

Application(s) submitted through the USNDP Grant Management Center undergo three main evaluation stages:

  1. Financial Need Assessment
    • Comprehensive review of household income and assets
    • Evaluation of all requested tax documentation
  2. Golf Performance Assessment
    • Review of competitive golf record
    • Evaluation of tournament results and achievements
    • Assessment of video
  3. Committee Review
    • Comparison of your application against other qualified applicants
    • Final determination by the USNDP Grant Committee

The committee verifies all information through tax documentation, public records, and other relevant sources to ensure fairness in the selection process.