Understanding the Sport Pass offers financial assistance of 50 euros to young individuals, promoting sports participation and health. Launched in 2021, the program has extended through the 2024-2025 season, targeting youth aged 6 to 30, including those with disabilities. The Sport Pass does not require formal applications, as eligible recipients are notified automatically. It supports families regardless of income, ensuring access to sports activities. Additionally, an interactive map helps users locate over 85,000 participating clubs and gyms.
Understanding the Sport Pass
Supporting Youth Sports Participation
The Sport Pass is a financial initiative that provides 50 euros to eligible individuals, covering some or all costs associated with joining a sports club, association, or gym. Launched in 2021, it serves as a unique allowance to promote sports participation, separate from the traditional back-to-school allowance.
This program aims to stimulate the sports industry while motivating young people to engage in physical activities regularly. The overarching goal is to combat obesity and enhance health within a structured environment. To date, over 6.5 million young people aged 6 to 30 have benefited from this initiative.
Additionally, the Sport Pass supports families in nurturing their children’s development, ensuring access to sports for all, including those with disabilities.
Extension of the Program for 2024/2025
The Sport Pass scheme has been officially extended for the 2024-2025 season under Decree No. 2024-500, published on June 4, 2024. This decree reaffirms the 50 euro support aimed at easing the registration process for young athletes, detailing eligibility requirements and implementation procedures.
Who Qualifies for the Sport Pass?
Eligibility Based on Age
The Sport Pass eligibility is determined by the age of applicants and their specific circumstances. Here’s a breakdown of the qualifying age groups:
- Youngsters aged 6 to 17 who qualify for the school back-to-school allowance (ARS);
- Individuals aged 6 to 19 receiving the disabled child education allowance (AEEH);
- Those aged 16 to 30 benefiting from the disabled adult allowance (AAH).
The Role of Family Allowance Fund (CAF)
The Sport Pass is a public subsidy funded by the Ministry of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Family Allowance Fund (CAF) plays a supportive role by communicating information about the Pass to families.
CAF reaches out to eligible households through personalized notifications, encouraging them to utilize this aid and assisting in identifying beneficiaries to relay this information to the Ministry of Sports.
Who Else Can Access the Sport Pass?
Scholarship Recipients Under 28
Students on scholarships, as of October 15, 2024, can also access the Sport Pass if they are under the age of 28. This includes scholarship recipients from regional councils for health and social training and annual aid from CROUS.
No Income Restrictions
Unlike many forms of financial aid, the Sport Pass does not hinge on household income. This means families can benefit regardless of their financial situation, provided they meet the other eligibility criteria.
The absence of income restrictions is designed to promote sports participation among all youth, eliminating administrative complexities and improving access to support. However, eligibility still depends on specific conditions, such as receiving certain allowances (ARS, AEEH, AAH, etc.).
How to Apply for the 2024/2025 Sport Pass?
The application process for the Sport Pass has been streamlined for ease of access.
No Formal Application Required
To utilize the Sport Pass benefit, there’s no formal application process. The Ministry of Sports will automatically notify eligible families, students, and youth through email, relying on data from CAF, MSA, or CROUS.
Receiving Your Sport Pass
Typically, recipients will receive their codes in August or September. It’s advisable to check spam or junk folders and verify the sender’s authenticity. For the upcoming 2024/2025 season:
- Mailings are scheduled between May 30 and June 2, 2024, for most beneficiaries.
- Scholarship recipients will receive their codes starting August 30, 2024.
Your Personal QR Code in August
Along with the email, a personal QR code for one-time use will be included. If you misplace it, you can easily retrieve it via the new government Sport Pass Portal.
What to Do If You Haven’t Received Your Sport Pass
Verify Your Eligibility
If you do not receive an email or code, verify your eligibility. This primarily involves checking the age criteria and any additional financial aid qualifications. Ensure that your personal information with the relevant administrative bodies, such as CROUS or CAF, is accurate.
For Scholarship Recipients
For scholarship students, codes will be sent via email starting October 15, once beneficiary lists are finalized. In the meantime, clubs may allow you to deduct fees against a security deposit check, which can be reclaimed upon receipt of your Sport Pass.
Utilize the Sport Pass Portal
You can visit the new Sport Pass portal to request a resend of your code or check your eligibility. This portal centralizes all necessary information for effective management of your Sport Pass.
Finding a Partner Club
Use the Interactive Map
The Sport Pass is accepted at over 85,000 clubs and gyms. To find a participating club, gym, or sports association,