Scholarships & Goals

The goal of the NYCDA Foundation College Scholarship Program is to award multiple 4 year college scholarships, primarily with total values of $10,000, $25,000 and $50,000. 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.

In 2011, nearly $3,000,000 in college scholarships have been awarded - in conjunction with our college partners!

Scholarships are to be awarded each summer. Currently TWO opportunities are planned for 2012:
 

July 1, 2012: This scholarship audition opportunity is being offered in conjunction with the NYCDA 4-day National Summer Workshop – July 2-5 at the Sheraton NY in New York City. The college scholarship audition will be held on July 1 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. This will also serve as the scholarship evaluation for our College Partners. Currently, University Of The Arts (PA), Marymount Manhattan College (NY), Point Park University (PA) and Mercyhurst College (PA) will be in attendance - recruiting dancers and awarding 4 Year Scholarships to their prestigious programs.   Additional universities are likely to attend.  Check back for updates!

• Primarily seeking dancers that will be high school seniors in Sept 2012 – beginning their college application process.
• Consideration will also be given to recent high school graduates already committed to and/or hoping to attend a college program in Sept 2012.  High school juniors in Sept 2012 will also be permitted to participate for the experience and exposure.
• Scholarship recipients will be announced at the NYCDA Closing Night Gala on July 5th.   We hope to surpass the 2011 total of $2.8 million in college scholarships at this event.     Nearly 40 dancers received scholarships in 2011 - ranging from $10,000 to $150,000.
• Winners of the July 1st scholarships will be invited to perform at the Foundation's 2012 BRIGHT LIGHTS SHINING STARS Gala on July 30th in NYC.  Transportation and lodging will be the responsibility of the receipient.

July 29, 2012: 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 Sunday, July 29. 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 June 30th), one dancer may attend this private scholarship audition.   No limits!   (Transportation, accommodations will be provided for all studios that exceed $20,000 in donations.  The opportunity to perform in the BRIGHT LIGHTS SHINING STARS Gala will awarded to the top two studios that exceed the $25,000 donation.)
• 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 ages 16-20.
• Scholarship recipients will be announced at the NYCDAF BRIGHT LIGHTS SHINING STARS Gala on Monday evening, July 30 at the Skirball Center in NYC.  Seven dancers shared the $57,000+ in college scholarships that were awarded at this event in 2011. 

       Each dancer's experience at the July 29 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.
• One ticket to the BRIGHT LIGHTS SHINING STARS Gala, Monday evening – July 30th.
• 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 July 2012 is still to be determined. Your fundraising dollars will certainly help make a difference in the lives of more dancers.