USA Swimming awards stipends based on final 1998 FINA long course rankings. To receive a Level I stipend of $1,200/month, the top-ranked American must be faster than the 8th place time; the 2nd and 3rd ranked Americans must be faster than the 4th place time.
To qualify for Level II stipends, he or she must be faster than the 8th place time. Athletes can be bumped from this program if there are more than 4 Americans who qualify in a single event for both tiers.
Australian swimmers receive grants if they rank among the top 60 in the world in any event. A #1 ranked swimmer earns $12,000 and a #60 ranked swimmer earns $2,000. In addition, Aussie swimmers receive tax-free awards when they finish among the top 4 at major events such as the Olympics, World Championships, Pan Pacs and Commonwealth Games. In 1999, gold = $40,000; silver = $24,000, bronze = $12,000; 4th place = $10,000.