21 Best Dance Scholarships [UPDATED]

In 2023, let your passion for dancing win you a scholarship to further your studies at the universities of your choice.  This is quite unusual, but if you are thinking of dancing for a career and wish to unleash your potential while training on scholarship, then this is what you are searching for. Check out our ongoing 21 Best dance Scholarships in 2023 and achieve your dreams.

Here are the scholarships for dance and performing arts. Kindly read up.

The Dance Discovery Foundations Scholarship Programs

Deadline: May 31st and July 31st

Dance Discovery Foundation’s three (3) Scholarship program provides scholarships to exceptional individuals, 8 years or above, who are studying at a dance or performing arts school, studio or institution throughout Southern California.

These programs are the SHINE, ACEEL and Dream Scholarships, valued from $500 to $2,000 annually per student.

The Scholarship Program opens yearly for applications on April 1st and the deadlines for each are; SHINE& ACCEL – May 31st and DREAM Scholarship – July 1st annually.

Scholarship website

Career Transition for Dancers

Established in 1985 and sponsored by The Actors Fund, the Career Transition for Dancers scholarship enables dancers to define their career possibilities and develop the skills necessary to excel in various disciplines outside of dance.

The program is open to those currently enrolled in a competitive dance/training/education program in a dance school, studio, or institution across the country and intend to derive income as a professional dancer.

Selected recipients are also eligible to receive individual and group counseling services, referrals for healthcare and health insurance and, where eligible, access to emergency financial assistance.

Scholarship website

School of Art Scholarships

Deadline: February 28th.

Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) is excited to offer a variety of Studio Arts scholarships known as the Freshman Talent Scholarship and Excellence Scholarships for current and incoming students of the institution.

The Freshman talent scholarships were designed to be awarded to incoming freshmen. The application form is available to high school seniors enrolling at Minnesota State University Moorhead. The excellence scholarship is available for current students at the University.

Scholarship website

Beverly Miller Dance Scholarship

Deadline: Varies

Awarded by Costume Gallery, the Beverly Miller Dance Scholarship is available for U.S. and Canadian citizens who are ages 12 through 21 and enrolled in a dance course.

The scholarship is valued at one $1,000, and eighteen $500 scholarships are available to successful applicants.

It is not yet available for 2023. Usually starts around October.

Scholarship website

Undergraduate Dance Merit-based Scholarship Opportunities

Deadline: Varies

Provided by the College of fine arts, the Undergraduate Dance Merit-based Scholarships Opportunities is available for Undergraduate applicants at the college who had qualify dance merit-based scholarship.

The award value varies annually depending on the funding available and the number of qualified applicants.

Scholarship website

Mercyhurst University dance scholarships

Dance auditions and Scholarships offered by Mercyhurst University are available for applicants willing to participate in the B.A. and B.F.A program at the University.

The scholarships are based on merit and awarded by audition only. The audition dates for year 2 are as follows: ​Monday, January 20; Friday, January 24; February 7; February 14; and February 21.

Scholarship website

PERFORMING ARTS SCHOLARSHIP – All Saints College

Deadline:  09 March – 5.00pm

All Saints’ College is pleased to offer its performing arts scholarship to dedicated and talented students entering Years 7 to 11 in 2023 who intend to enroll for the program housed in the College’s Centre for Performing Arts.

The scholarship is valued at 50% of the College’s academic tuition fee. It is valid for the duration of the student’s attendance at the College and is conditional upon ongoing excellence in, and commitment to the All Saints’ College Performing Arts program.

Scholarships are awarded following an audition process. The audition date is Thursday 04 April, 2023. It is important to note that late applications will not be accepted.

Scholarship website

Arts for Life! Scholarship Fund

Deadline: February 1st

Established by the former First Lady Columba Bush in 1999, Arts for Life! Scholarship fund annually provides financial support to high school seniors who are graduating from a public, private, or virtual school or a home education program in the state of Florida and who can also demonstrate excellence in any of the following disciplines: creative writing, dance, drama, music or visual art.

The scholarship is valued at $1,000 annually and is available to 25 successful applicants. The Program can provide $1,000 extra from select schools like Palm Beach State, Miami Dade, and Florida Southern.

Scholarship email: [email protected]

Scholarship website

Cyril McNiff Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: December 10th

The Irish Dance Teacher’s Association of North America (IDTANA) presents the Cyril McNiff Memorial Scholarship to graduating high school seniors who have proven to excel in the classroom and dance studio.

The scholarship award is valued at between $750 to $2,500 per student.

Desired applicants are students with Irish dance experience enrolling in accredited bachelor’s programs, especially for the performing arts. A recommendation from a TCRG-certified dance teacher is an important component of the application process.

Scholarship email: [email protected]

Scholarship website

Dizzy Feet Foundation Scholarship Award

No Deadline

The Dizzy Feet Foundation offers scholarships to talented students enrolled in an accredited or nationally-recognized dance school or institution in the United States.

The scholarship award is valued at $10,000.00 per student and may be granted annually as determined by the foundation in its sole discretion.  All funds will be paid directly to the institution where the recipient is enrolled.

Eligible applicants must be a minimum of 15 years old and a U.S citizen and. Applicants will be judged based on talent, technical skill, dance expression and the student’s financial need.

Scholarship website

Gene Kelly Legacy Scholarship

Named for a legendary dancer, director, and choreographer Gene Kelly and established in recognition of the 100th anniversary of his birth, “The Gene Kelly Legacy Scholarship” is given annually by the Dizzy Feet Foundation to a talented male or female student studying dance at an accredited or nationally-recognized dance school or institution in the United States.

Recipients must demonstrate an interest in and an aptitude for choreography and interdisciplinary dance expression and must embody not only the physical, athletic style represented by Gene Kelly but also demonstrate the potential for the joy, creativity, and innovation for which he is celebrated.

The scholarship is valued at $10,000 per student and may be granted annually as determined by the foundation in its sole discretion. All funds will be paid directly to the institution where the recipient is enrolled.

Eligible applicants must be 18 years or older and an American citizens. Applicants will be judged based on talent, technical skill, dance expression, and the student’s financial need.

Scholarship website

Deadline: February 15th

Awarded by the Community Foundation of Shelby County, Dr. Edward and Anne Link Scholarship is presented to qualified Ohioans who are pursuing bachelor’s or master’s degrees in the visual and performing arts.

The scholarship award is valued at $2,500 annually per recipient.

Eligible applicants must live in Shelby County for 12+ months, complete at least their freshman year, attend accredited U.S. universities, possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and attach two letters of recommendation.

Scholarship website

Emma Sue Gibbons Scholarship

Deadline: December 1st

The Emma Sue Gibbons Scholarship offered at the College of Education & Human Development in Texas A&M University-College Station is presented to exceptional dancers entering the B.S. in Kinesiology Dance Science full-time program.

The scholarship award is valued at $1,000 per academic year.

Eligible applicants must be undergraduates (current, incoming freshman, or transfer) with at least a score of 1000 on the SAT or 24 on the ACT, participate in the Teen Summer Dance Intensive, and enroll in DCED Modern Dance I or above.

The minimum GPR for qualified applicants is as follows; Current student: GPR 2.75 overall, 3.0 in dance courses; Transfer students: GPR of 3.0 overall, 3.0 in dance courses; Incoming freshman: GPR of 3.0 overall.

Important information regarding the scholarship is that Out-of-state students who receive this scholarship will be eligible for an out-of-state tuition waiver.

Scholarship website

HLKN Dance Program

Also covered by the Emma Sue Gibbons Scholarship at the College of Education & Human Development in Texas A&M University-College Station, the HLKN Dance Program is also offered to talented dancers entering the B.S. in Kinesiology Dance Science full-time program.

Three awards are offered which are valued at $250, $500, and $750 per academic year

Scholarship website

Florence Lemke Memorial Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st

Offered by the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Washington, the Florence Lemke Memorial Scholarship is administered to support graduating high school seniors who are children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of honorably discharged veterans from the U.S. Armed Forces.

The scholarship award is valued at $1,000 per recipient.

Eligible candidates must be from Washington and enroll in accredited colleges for fine arts majors, such as music, theatre, dance, architecture, and photography. Three recommendation letters attesting to candidates’ academic merit and character are required.

Scholarship website

Iowa Scholarships for the Arts

Deadline: March 1st

The Iowa Arts Council Board offers multiple scholarships every spring to graduating high school seniors pursuing artistic professions, including dance, music, theatre, and painting.

Desired applicants must be residents of the state of Iowa, gain admission at accredited in-state institutes, and demonstrate strong artistic qualities. One reference letter, five video dance recordings, and a 500-word career aspirations essay are to be submitted as part of the online application.

Scholarship website

Jean Lee/Jeff Marvin Scholarships

Deadline: January 15th

The Indiana Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (IAHPERD) offers six Jean Lee/Jeff Marvin Scholarships for full-time undergraduates carrying 12+ credits at Indiana post-secondary institutions for relevant academic majors, including dance.

The scholarship award is valued at $1,000 per recipient.

The following criteria will be considered for each applicant: scholastic merit, financial need, professional potential, faculty recommendations, and campus participation. Successful applicants will be announced in April.

Scholarship website

Joci Awards Performing Arts Scholarships

Deadline: February 10th

Awarded by the Las Casas Foundation of San Antonio’s Majestic Theatre, the Joci Awards Performing Arts Scholarships is offered to High school students in grades 9-12 who audition each spring in all of the following five musical theatre categories: vocal music, acting, dance, best lead actress, and best lead actor. The foundation has awarded about $700,000 since its establishment in 1988.

The scholarship award is valued at $10,000 to attend any U.S. undergraduate institution.

Scholarship website

Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowships

Deadline: December 1st

The College of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign offers the Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship, which provides $20,000 to qualified students in full-time majors in the following disciplines: architecture, art, dance, landscape design, theatre, music, and urban planning before they turn 25. Fellows are selected based on academic marks, moral character, and seriousness of purpose.

Three major fellowships are awarded: One of up to $20,000 in any field of music; One of up to $20,000 in architectural design and history, art and design, dance, instrumental or vocal music, or theatre; One of up to $9,000 in architecture, art, dance, landscape architecture, theatre, or urban and regional planning.

Scholarship website

MAHPERD Emerging Leaders Scholarship

Deadline: May 20th

The Maryland Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance’s (MAHPERD) Emerging Leaders Scholarship is available for dancers enrolling full-time in teacher preparation programs for dance education.

The scholarship award is valued at a minimum of $1,000 per recipient.

Eligible “Free State” residents must rank in the upper half of their graduating class, enter an accredited U.S. institution, possess a cumulative GPA above 2.5, show evidence of leadership skills, and excel in extracurricular dance activities.

Scholarship website

Mary Doctor Performing Arts Scholarship

Deadline: March 1st, 2023. It is now available.

The Mary Doctor Performing Arts Scholarship Fund is awarded each year to two Charlotte Region high school seniors who plan to pursue an undergraduate degree in a discipline related to the performing arts (e.g. music, dance, theatre, technical theatre, arts administration, and teaching).

The selected recipients will be awarded annually renewable scholarships of up to $10,000 each, determined at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic ability, above-average ability and great interest in one or more areas of the performing arts. A university or college must have also accepted the eligible candidate with an established performing arts program as a full-time student.

SCHOLARSHIP LINK

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