Scholarship Opportunities

2027 NATIONAL COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP AUDITION INFORMATION

Eligibility:

Dancers in the High School Graduating Class of 2027 who are hoping to receive monies directly from the NYCDA Foundation, which will be used for tuition payments at the university dance program of their choice. These scholarships usually range from $5,000-$25,000 each. A professional Selection Committee is invited to determine the scholarship recipients - no NYCDA faculty.

In 2017, the board of directors of the Foundation approved Foundation funds to be used for 2-year certificate programs. If you are going to a certificate program, your award will be cut by 50%. (Unfortunately, CLI is not eligible for Foundation Funds.)

Dancers in the High School Graduating Class of 2028 who are hoping to be recruited by one or more of the NYCDA College Partners for the Fall of 2028. These scholarships usually range from $10,000-$150,000 each.

Scholarships are awarded each year through an application and audition process.

There will be two auditions in the summer of 2027.

July 2 - Sheraton New York, New York City
July 16 -Arizona Biltmore, Phoenix

GENERAL AUDITION INFO

The 2027 National College Scholarship Audition opportunity is being offered in conjunction with the NYCDA 4-day National Summer Workshop at the New York Sheraton and the Arizona Biltmore. The audition will consist of a ballet class, a jazz class, a contemporary class, and potential interviews. A separate application is needed to audition. All dancers must participate in all three dance genres.

2027 Foundation College Scholarship Application - Available in April, 2027

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. Below is a list of colleges expected to attend the 2026 audition - subject to change.

Be sure to complete your 4-day National Workshop registration by the May 15, 2027 cut-off. After that date, email registration@nycdance.com for assistance. Both the workshop registration and college audition application are required.

POTENTIAL AUDITION SCHEDULE FOR NEW YORK
(updated 8/7/2026)

7:00 AM
Registration/Warm Up for Class of 2027 with College Plans

8:00-10:00 AM
Ballet Audition Class for Class of 2027 with College Plans

9:00 AM
Registration/Warm Up for Class of 2028 AND Class of 2027 without College plans

10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Ballet Audition Class for Class of 2028 AND Class of 2027 without College plans

12:00-12:30 PM
Lunch

12:30 PM-2:30 PM
Jazz Audition

2:30-4:30 PM
Contemporary Audition

4:30-5:30 PM
College Q & A with all attending Deans/representatives. All NYCDA attendees are welcome.

POTENTIAL AUDITION SCHEDULE FOR PHOENIX
(updated 8/7/2026)

8:00 AM
Registration/Warm Up

9:00-11:00 AM
Ballet Audition Class

11:00-11:30 AM
Lunch

11:30 AM-1:30 PM
Jazz Audition

1:30-3:30 PM
Contemporary Audition

3:30-4:30 PM
College Q & A with all attending Deans/representatives. All NYCDA attendees are welcome.

There will also be a College Fair from 9:00 AM-6:00 PM in both cities. Representatives from all the attending college partners will be present to distribute information and answer questions.

NYCDA FOUNDATION COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

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 pursue a performance-based major (dance, musical theater BA or BFA program) in college.

In 2017, the Foundation established a program recognizing those dancers who choose to attend a certificate program. Dancers choosing to pursue certain certificate programs will receive 50% of the amount they were originally awarded. Please check with the NYCDA Foundation to make sure the program you are planning on attending qualifies. (NYCDA Foundation scholarships may not be used for programs affiliated with CLI.)

Since our inception in 2010, the foundation itself has awarded nearly $5,800,000 in college scholarships. NYCDA Foundation scholarship recipients are now represented in 55 prestigious arts programs across the country.

2027 Foundation College Scholarship Application - Coming in April 2027

COLLEGE PARTNERS AUDITION
Scheduled to Attend in 2027:
Northeastern University (NY)

Point Park University (PA)

Mercyhurst University (PA)

Pace University (NY)

Southern Methodist University (TX)

Montclair State University (NJ)

University of Arizona, Tucson (AZ)

Dean College (MA)

Texas Christian University (TX)

California Institute of the ARTS (CA)

Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts (CT)