Scholarships & Goals

The goal of the NYCDA Foundation College Scholarship Program is to award multiple 4 year college scholarships, primarily with total values of $5,000-$25,000. These scholarships will be awarded as tuition payments directly to the college of YOUR choice.  The scholarship recipient must be intending on pursuing a peformance based major (dance, musical theater) in college.

Since our inception in 2010, nearly $5,000,000 in college scholarships have been awarded - in conjunction with our college partners!

Scholarships are to be awarded each year through an application and audtion process. Currently TWO opportunities are planned for 2013:
 

July 2, 2013: This scholarship audition opportunity is being offered in conjunction with the NYCDA 4-day National Summer Workshop – July 3-6 at the Sheraton NY in New York City. The college scholarship audition will be held on July 2 at the Sheraton.  The audition will start at 11:00am and will consist of a ballet class, a contemporary class and interviews.

ELIGIBILITY: This audition will only be open to dancers registered to attend the NYCDA 4-day Summer Workshop and who have most recently completed their junior or senior year in high school. This will also serve as the scholarship evaluation for our College Partners. The following Colleges and Universities will be in attendance - recruiting dancers and awarding 4 Year Scholarships to their prestigious programs:   

University of the Arts (PA) 

Manhattan Marymount College (NY) 

Point Park University (PA) 

Mercyhurst University (PA) 

Dean College (MA) 

Chapman University (CA) 

University of North Carolina School of the Arts (NC) 

Pace University (NY)

Additional universities are likely to attend.  Check back for updates!

• This audition is only open to students who have just completed their junior or senior year of high school.
• Scholarship recipients will be announced at the NYCDA Closing Night Gala on July 6th.   Nearly 100 dancers have received scholarships from this audition - ranging from $10,000 to $150,000.
• Winners of the July 2nd scholarships will be invited to perform at the Foundation's 2013 BRIGHT LIGHTS SHINING STARS Gala on September 29th in NYC.  Transportation and lodging will be the responsibility of the receipient.

September 28, 2013: This scholarship audition opportunity is being offered in conjunction with the NYCDAF BRIGHT LIGHTS SHINING STARS Gala Fundraiser in New York City.  The audition will be held on Saturday, September 28. Exact time/location is TBA but audition will not start before noon.

ELIGIBILITY: This audition is open to dancers from studios that have participated in the NYCDAF National Fundraising Campaign.  Independent dancers also welcome.

• For every $3000 in donations contributed to NYCDAF (through August 31st), one dancer may attend this private scholarship audition.   No limits!   Dancers not affiliated with a studio are welcome to fundraise independently.   A $3,000 donation to NYCDAF is required.
• This audition will be open to all dancers who have just completed their junior year of high school through their junior year of college.
• 13 dancers have shared over $100,000 in college scholarships that were awarded the past 2 years at this private audition. 

       Each dancer's experience at the September 28 audition will include:

• Two mandatory college audition classes – one ballet, one contemporary.
• Professional Dance Industry Forum to discuss everything from college and careers to headshots and resumes.  Attendance mandatory. Asking questions is encouraged.
• Gift bag of goodies from our generous sponsors.
• A personalized NYCDAF testimonial letter, thanking you for your fundraising efforts and charitable service.  This letter may be valuable in your college application process.

The exact number of scholarships to be awarded at each audition/event in September 2013 is still to be determined. Your fundraising dollars will certainly help make a difference in the lives of more dancers.