We’re on a mission to certify 100 new lifeguards annually.
Will YOU be one of them?
If you think competitive swimmers don't need safety vigilance, or that they are automatically capable of providing lifesaving measures if needed, think again. Even the most experienced athletes can require urgent assistance in the pool at any moment.
The Swim4Elise Lifeguard Challenge helps qualified young swimmers and coaches become certified lifeguards.
We provide full scholarships for American Red Cross lifeguard training programs (~$250 per person) to competitive swimmers, divers and USA Swimming Coaches ages 15 and up who apply and are approved under our program.
What is the Lifeguard Challenge Certification Scholarship?
Through our Lifeguard Challenge, Swim4Elise will select and sponsor 100 applicants to attain their American Red Cross lifeguard certifications. While lifeguard employment is optional, completion of certification will expand participants’ water safety knowledge and equip them with lifesaving skills. Lifeguard Certification Scholarships will cover all tuition costs associated with certification and will be paid directly to North Star Lifeguards, the preferred Swim4Elise Red Cross partner, unless otherwise pre-arranged.
Who can apply for this scholarship program?
We are seeking current USA Swimming Athletes and/or USA Swimming Coaches from the North Texas LSC, as well as current high school swimmers, TAAF swimmers, competitive divers, and high school swim coaches, who are committed to improving swim safety by earning lifeguard certifications. All swimmers and divers must be between the ages of 14-19 (turning 15 by the last day of the lifeguard course). All applicants must be physically able to meet the requirements established by the American Red Cross, as listed below.
What are the specific Lifeguard Challenge Scholarship guidelines for swimmers/divers?
Lifeguard Certification Scholarship – Swimmers/Divers Ages 14-19 (at least 15 by end of lifeguard course)
- Available to USA Club Swimmers, competitive High School or TAAF Swimmers, and USA Diving in the application year who reside in North Texas
- Minimum combined 2 years’ participation in USA Swimming under the North Texas Swimming LSC and/or 2 years’ participation in competitive High School Swimming, TAAF Swimming, or USA Diving in North Texas
- Minimum GPA 3.0 on a 4.0 scale with unofficial transcript upload (PDF preferred)
- 2-3 short essays (description on application)
- Signed consent/reference form from parent and USA Swimming/Diving coach
- If USA Swimmer, most recent official 100 free style time (or any distance event) from USA Swimming
- If competitive High School or TAAF Swimmer, screen shot of your most recent 100 free style time (or any distance event) from Meet Mobile app or equivalent (PDF or JPG)
- If USA Diver, most recent diving scores from USA Diving event or equivalent
- Scholarship applications are due by the 15th of each month and awarded on a monthly basis
- Recipients of Elise Cerami Memorial Scholarship will be recognized at the Run4Elise each spring
- American Red Cross Course is the preferred organization selected by the Swim4Elise Board
- Scholarship is paid directly to American Red Cross Preferred Vendor
- Must meet American Red Cross lifeguard certification requirements:
- Swim 300 yards free style continuously
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only legs
- Complete 6 hours of online self-study
- Complete 3 days of in-water and/or poolside instruction
- Complete Red Cross exam(s) with 80% or higher
- Within 1 minute and 40 seconds: Swim 20 yards, dive 10 feet, retrieve 10-pound brick, return to starting point with brick, and exit pool from side.
What are the specific Lifeguard Challenge Scholarship guidelines for coaches?
Lifeguard Certification Scholarship – Coaches
- Qualified USA Swimming or high school team coach (high schools within these North Texas counties: Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Wise)
- Able to provide valid USA Swimming ID and ASCA level, or valid high school coach ID
- 1 short paragraph (optional) about importance of rescue skills (description on application)
- Completed acknowledgement form and signed recommendation from a supervising or peer coach
- Scholarship applications are due by the 15th of each month and awarded on a monthly basis
- Recipients of Elise Cerami Memorial Scholarship will be recognized at the Run4Elise each Spring
- American Red Cross Course is the preferred organization selected by the Swim4Elise Board
- Scholarship is paid directly to American Red Cross Preferred Vendor
- Must meet American Red Cross lifeguard certification requirements
What are the American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification Requirements?
- Swim 300 yards free style continuously
- Tread water for 2 minutes using only legs
- Complete 6 hours of online self-study
- Complete 3 days of in-water and/or poolside instruction
- Complete Red Cross exam(s) with 80% or higher
- Within 1 minute and 40 seconds: Swim 20 yards, dive 10 feet, retrieve 10-pound brick, return to starting point with brick, and exit pool from side.
Do I have to apply for a scholarship to be counted in the Lifeguard Challenge?
No! Any qualified swimmer, parent, coach or friend who is willing and able to earn lifeguard certification through the American Red Cross in honor of Elise is welcome to be counted in our 100 Lifeguard Challenge without a scholarship! If you obtain your certification on your own, just send us an email with a photo of you & your new credentials, and we’ll add you to our recipients page (with your permission) and goal count.
Interested in participating?
Here’s how it works:
- First, all applicants must complete all required portions of the nomination form in their entirety. The form requests signatures of consent and recommendation to verify the applicant’s commitment and physical capabilities.
- USA Swimming Athletes should provide supervising coach signatures.
- If the applicant is a high school/rec swimmer or diver, s/he should optionally provide a signature of recommendation from another coach (supervisor or peer).
- All minor applicants (ages 14-19) must also provide a parent’s signature.
When the form is complete, prepare a digital copy (PDF, JPG, etc.). You’ll be asked to upload it in the next step.
- Next, applicants complete and submit the online Lifeguard Scholarship application. After anonymous review by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, approved applicants will be notified monthly.
Applicants will need to upload with their applications:
- Digital copy of p.2 of the consent/reference form, including all required signatures
- If USA Swimming Athletes, digital copy of 100 free style swim time (or any distance event)
- If High School or TAAF Swimmer, screen shot (PDF or JPG) of most recent event times on Meet Mobile app
- If USA Diver, most recent diving scores from USA Diving event or equivalent
- If ages 14-19, digital copy of unofficial academic transcript
APPLICATIONS END ANNUALLY WHEN WE HIT OUR 100 LIFEGUARD GOAL!
- If approved, swimmers, divers, and coaches will need to complete their American Red Cross lifeguard certification course within six (6) months of approval. If the swimmer/diver is applying for the college scholarship, they must complete the lifeguard course 30 days prior to the Run4Elise that year. All associated fees will be paid directly to North Star Lifeguards (or other pre-arranged certification facility) by the Swim4Elise Foundation.
