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Have a passion for the stage? Luckily for you, there are a variety of scholarship opportunities catered toward students pursuing the arts.
When choosing these scholarships, we looked for programs that offered high amounts, were open to the widest range of theater students and could be renewed. However, not all of the scholarships listed hit every criteria.
| Amount | $7,500 to $30,000 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | March 15th to June 1st — varies by scholarship program |
| Eligibility requirements | To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:
|
The Princess Grace Foundation offers national scholarships to theater, dance and film artists who are in the early stages of their career and enrolled in a qualifying program. They’re based on merit and open to a wide variety of applicants. The maximum award amount is also significantly higher than most theater scholarships. Students must submit their application along with samples of their craft by late spring to be considered.
| Amount | $2,500 per year — renewable for two years |
|---|---|
| Deadline | Rolling deadline |
| Eligibility requirements | To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:
|
The Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program is geared toward underserved black and African American students interested in pursuing a career in entertainment, including those in performing arts and theater. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with 100 recipients chosen each year. Preference is given to students attending a historically black college or university (HBCU).
| Amount | $2,000 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | April 1st |
| Eligibility requirements | To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:
|
The Bob and Marti Fowler Future Theater Educator Scholarship is designed specifically for students interested in pursuing a career in theater education. It’s a one-time scholarship that can be used to pay for tuition and fees. You’ll need to submit an essay explaining what you feel the characteristics of an exceptional theater educator are and how your accomplishments qualify you for the scholarship.
| Amount | $1,500 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | April 15th |
| Eligibility requirements | To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following criteria:
You’re considered an amateur organist if you meet any one of the following criteria:
|
If you’re interested in pursuing theater music — specifically the organ — the ATOS Scholarship Program provides a unique opportunity. Not only is it open to international students, but you’re also eligible even if you’re not attending an accredited program.
To apply, you must submit an essay on why you feel you should be awarded the scholarship along with your interpretation on the different applications and musical styles in which theater and classical organs are used. You also need to provide proof of your amateur status as a theater organ musician to be considered.
| Amount | $2,000 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | February 4th |
| Eligibility requirements | To qualify for this scholarship, you need to meet the following requirements:
|
Offered through the South Carolina Department of Education, the Archibald Rutledge Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors in South Carolina who plan on attending college in the state. Five scholarships are awarded each year for multiple disciplines of the arts, including creative writing, dance, music, theater and visual arts. Theater students are required to submit a one-act original play thats between eight and 15 minutes long along with their application.
| Amount | $1,000 to $2,000 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | April 1st |
| Eligibility requirements | To qualify for this scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
Preference is given to theater arts majors. |
The Grand Rapids Combined Theater Scholarship is geared toward theater arts majors with experience performing at community theaters in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a merit-based scholarship, you must demonstrate ability, talent and dedication in the field of theater arts. Though the scholarship can be renewed once, returning recipients are still required to complete the full application.
| Amount | $3,000 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | February 22nd |
| Eligibility requirements | To qualify for this scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
|
This merit-based scholarship is open to Hope College students with strong academic records and outstanding creative abilities in art, dance, music, theater or creative writing. The scholarship is renewable once, and over 60 awards are given out each year. On top of submitting an application, students are required to perform an on-campus audition and interview with a faculty member in November.
Scholarships are a great way to fund your education, but they aren’t the only option. Here are a few other ways to cover college costs:
Explore your options by APR, minimum credit score, loan amount and loan term. Select the Get started button to start an application with a specific lender.
Aspiring actors and actresses have a slew of scholarship opportunities to pursue their passion without breaking the bank. And if you need even more funds, you can check out our A-to-Z list of scholarships or our guide to student loans for more ways to pay for your theater degree.
Do scholarships have to be repaid?
Typically, no. However, scholarships are often supplied by private organizations that set their own criteria for receiving and keeping scholarship funds. Make sure you adhere to any requirements that were agreed upon with the scholarship committee, such as maintaining a minimum GPA, majoring in a specific area of study or volunteering. If you don’t, you could be asked to return the funds.
What can I use scholarships to pay for?
It varies depending on the scholarship you receive, but usually the funds can be used for any educational expenses. If the scholarship program sends your funds directly to your school, they’re usually applied toward tuition and fees.
Is there a limit to the amount of scholarships I can receive?
No, though it’s possible to receive enough scholarships that you reach the maximum cost of attendance for your school. When this happens, you no longer show financial need and it can prevent you from receiving other funds, like grants or loans. You can also be taxed on excess scholarship funds that aren’t used to pay for qualifying education expenses.
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