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Top Dance Scholarships in 2022
Dance has been a part of human history for as long as we can remember. It has always been a way to express oneself physically and spatially, and is an important part of many festivities. There is also an art and science to dance that scholars study in academic environments. Dance scholarships are available so that students can develop a greater understanding of this age-old art form with less of a financial burden.
- Top scholarships for dance students
- College-specific dance scholarships
- Resources for dance students
- Frequently asked questions
- Upcoming scholarships
- Other scholarship lists to explore
If you are a dancer or wish to study dance, here are some of the best scholarships in the dance disciplines for this year!
Top dance scholarships in 2022
$500 Moriah Janae Dance Grant
- Eligibility: Aspiring dancers, including high school students
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: July 27, 2022
Career Transitions for Dancers
- Eligibility: Active, former, and pre-professional dancers
- Amount: $1,000 to $2,000
- Deadline: Varies: February 15, June 15, August 15, and October 15
MFMA Academic Scholarships
- Eligibility: Students must major in something pertaining to the movement of the body, from dance to kinesiology.
- Amount: $1,000
- Deadline: July 8, 2022
National YoungArts Foundation Dance Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students mustang submit a video/DVD highlighting a variety of performance techniques. There is also a $35 registration fee, in exchange for which the student’s name will be included on a database that is made available to schools and universities looking for talented dancers.
- Amount: $250-$10,000
- Deadline: TBD, opens in June 2023, so get ready!
Iowa Scholarships for the Arts
- Eligibility: Iowa High School Seniors
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: April 1 of each year
Brown Girls Do Ballet Scholarships
- Eligibility: Students must be ballet dancers
- Amount: $500-$1,000
- Deadline: Rolling
Francisco Gella Dance Works (FGDW) Equity Scholarship Program
- Eligibility: Ballet dancers between the ages of 8 and 21 with at least two years (minimum of three hours per week) of training
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Varies (Early and late submission dates for Spring, Summer, and Fall each year)
College-specific dance scholarships
George Mason University Dance Talent Scholarship
- Eligibility: Incoming freshmen who demonstrate outstanding talent at an audition. To renew the scholarship each year, recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA, participate fully in all department performance activities and be a good university citizen
- Amount: $3,000-$5,000 per year
- Deadline: Schedule an audition
Alma College Dance Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students must apply to the college and must audition for the Theater and Dance Department. Students must be accepted to the college before they can apply for any scholarship awards
- Amount: $1,500/year – full scholarship
- Deadline: Depends on the audition dates.
Hofstra University Dance Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students must be enrolled and participate in an audition
- Amount: $500-$5,000
- Deadline: Rolling application
St. Olaf College Dance Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students must be enrolled/accepted into the college and participate in auditions
- Amount: $4,000-$5,000
- Deadline: Depends on scheduled audition
Wake Forest University (Winston-Salem, NC)
- Eligibility: High school seniors with talents in art, dance, debate, music, and theater
- Amount: $64,000, which equals $8,000 per semester, renewable for eight semesters of undergraduate study (20 scholarships awarded each year)
- Deadline: December 1 of each year
Resources for dance students
American College Dance Association
The American College Dance Association unites students studying dance across the country, and hosts conferences and showcases on national and regional levels. Joining the ACDA is a great way to learn more about the broader field of dance, get inspiration from across the country, and meet new people.
Scholarships360’s scholarship search tool
While this list is a great place to start looking for dance scholarships, it is by no means the only resource out there for you. Our free scholarship search tool will custom-match you with vetted scholarships that fit a wide range of factors. It takes into account your demographics, location, interests, and more, in order to provide tailored scholarship opportunities. Sign-up is quick and easy – try it today!
Body-Mind Centering Organization
Dance requires a broad skillset, and one of the most important factors for students is their connection to their bodies. This organization offers workshops and conferences to help participants center themselves in their bodies. These are skills that could help any dancer!
Frequently asked questions about dance scholarships
What colleges give scholarships for dance?
Many colleges across the country offer scholarships for valued dancers. One of the best things students seeking dance, or any other scholarships, can do is check the financial aid website of the colleges they are applying to. The earlier the better, since sometimes awards are on a “first come, first served” basis.
Does UCLA offer dance scholarships?
UCLA offers the Jean Irwin Dance Fund scholarship, which is awarded to UCLA dancing students that have a financial need.
What GPA do I need to get a full scholarship?
There is no set number on the GPA scale. In general, scholarships tend to be based on a variety of factors. As a general rule of thumb, scholarships tend to require a B average, or a 3.0 GPA.
Upcoming dance scholarships
AmeriDance Dancer Of The Year Award
- Eligibility: Nominees selected at the AmeriDance and Eastern Dance Camps based on their artistic skills. Dance routine scores of 85 percent and higher qualify, and dancers must have good academic standing
- Amount: $1,000
CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship
- Eligibility: Black students pursuing a degree in the performing arts. Must be currently enrolled full-time in an accredited academic institution, and have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Deadline: April 30, 2022
Princess Grace Awards Program
- Eligibility: Dance students who are in their second year of studies at a non-profit school.
- Amount: $5,000-$25,000
