20 Scholarships Dancers Should Apply For in 2024

With the fall college semester quickly approaching, many students feel stressed and overwhelmed finding the best scholarships to help pay off their tuition. If you are a student who has a strong passion for dancing and considers yourself a dancer, here is the perfect guide to finding the top dance scholarships students should apply for in 2022.

Best Dance Scholarships to Apply to

Searching for scholarships isn’t always an easy process since there are so many out there for different people and situations. Finding which scholarships are legit or best for you can be challenging for students who are dancers, especially when searching online. We’ve made the process easier by selecting 20 of the best dance scholarships for students looking to go into the arts to apply to this year.

Moriah Janae Dance Grant

The Moriah Janae Dance Grant is open to any high school students who are studying to become dancers. One winner will be awarded $1,780.

• Amount: $1,780
• Application Deadline: July 27, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 27, 2022

1st Generation People Of Color Patrick Copney Memorial Music/Arts Scholarship

The 1st Generation People Of Color Patrick Copney Memorial Music/Arts Scholarship aims to support African American high school and undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds who are first-generation college students looking to pursue a degree in music or arts in New York. Two winners will be awarded $1,000 each.

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 30, 2022

Matt Preziose Creative Scholarship

The Matt Preziose Creative Scholarship is one of the arts scholarships open to any undergraduate student pursuing an art-related major at the State University of New York at New Paltz.

• Amount: $1,050
• Application Deadline: September 5, 2022
• Winner Announced: October 5, 2022

Love to Create Scholarship

The Love to Create Scholarship aims to support high school seniors and undergraduate students from Michigan who are studying fine, performing, or graphic arts.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: October 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: November 1, 2022

Christian ‘Myles’ Pratt Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship

The Christian ‘Myles’ Pratt Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship is open to all minority students who are interested in or already enrolled in courses going toward a degree in an art-related field.

• Amount: $2,560
• Application Deadline: August 12, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 12, 2022

Caliber X Scholarship

The Caliber X Scholarship aims to encourage and support any high school juniors or seniors in New Jersey who have at least a 3.0 GPA and are pursuing a career in the fashion industry, such as through design, law, or business. One winner will receive $500.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: August 16, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 15, 2022

Alexis Potts Passion Project Scholarship

The Alexis Potts Passion Project Scholarship is open to any high school senior or undergraduate student with a strong passion, such as for a sport, hobby, or community service opportunity. One winner will receive $620.

• Amount: $620
• Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 15, 2022

Bold Art Matters Scholarship

If you’re a student who is passionate about art, the Bold Art Matters Scholarship is perfect for you. On August 14, 2022, one student will be announced as the winner and will receive $500. The application deadline is July 14, 2022.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: July 14, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 14, 2022

Bold Optimist Scholarship

The Bold Optimist Scholarship is open to any student dedicated to staying optimistic throughout all of life’s trials. One winner will be selected to receive $500.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: July 14, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 14, 2022

Bold Learning and Changing Scholarship

The Bold Learning and Changing Scholarship is available for any students who have open minds and are passionate about continuing to learn and grow. One winner will be awarded $500 after submitting a personal essay on growth.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: July 13, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 13, 2022

Bold Community Activist Scholarship

Any student who is passionate about helping their community is eligible to apply for the Bold Community Activist Scholarship.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: July 13, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 13, 2022

Bold Mentor Scholarship

The Bold Mentor Scholarship is aimed at any students who act as mentors or role models to others. After submitting an essay on impacting others’ lives, one winner will receive $500.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: July 13, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 13, 2022

Bold Bravery Scholarship

The Bold Bravery Scholarship scholarship is open to any student that lives with bravery and takes the necessary risks to get far in life.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: July 29, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 29, 2022

500 Bold Points no-essay Scholarship

The 500 Bold Points no-essay Scholarship is for any student who has the boldest profile with at least 500 points on bold.org. One winner will receive $5,000. The application deadline is August 1, 2022, and the winner will be announced on November 30, 2022.

• Amount: $5,000
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: November 30, 2022

Niche College no-essay Scholarship

Niche College no-essay Scholarship targets high school students, transfer students, and current or prospective graduate school students who are looking to attend college or graduate school. One winner will be given $1,000.

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: June 1, 2023

Bruin Pride – UCLA no-essay Scholarship

Current students at UCLA, including those starting in Fall 2022, or UCLA alumni with student loans can apply for the Bruin Pride – UCLA no-essay Scholarship. One winner will receive $10,000.

• Amount: $10,000
• Application Deadline: August 5, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 26, 2022

Women’s History Scholarship

Any high school senior, undergraduate, or graduate student who identifies as female may apply for the Women’s History Scholarship.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: August 31, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 7, 2022

Forget Your Student Debt. No-Essay Grant.

Any student who has student debt payments to make is eligible to apply for the Forget Your Student Debt. No-Essay scholarship.

• Amount: $10,000
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: December 1, 2022

“Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship

The “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship is open to any student who has the boldest profile on bold.org. One winner will be given $25,145.

• Amount: $25,145
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: November 30, 2022

Bold.org No-Essay Top Friend Scholarship

The Bold.org No-Essay Top Friend Scholarship is designed to aid students who were invited by friends to join bold.org. One winner will receive $5,000.

• Amount: $5,000
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: November 19, 2022

About Dance Scholarships

There are lots of scholarships out there for students based on academic performance or minority background. However, when it comes to the arts, many scholarship platforms tend to lack options for dancers or any other creatives in the performing arts industry. Since dance is one of the most popular art forms across the globe, there are many scholarships for dancers out there. The tricky part is finding the right ones.

What Are Dance Scholarships?

Dance scholarships are grants that need not be repaid for students who are passionate about the art of dance and are looking to pursue a career in the field. Dance scholarships are open to students who have been practicing dance their whole lives, or who just picked up the hobby a year ago. Depending on the requirements, not all dance scholarships are limited to students majoring in the art. Some accept dance as a hobby or extracurricular for students to be involved in. The main focus of scholarships for dancers is that students are interested in the art form and can showcase their passion.

What Qualifies as a Dance Scholarship?

The majority of dance scholarships are only merit-based awards. Like most scholarships, many scholarships for dancers can be available to students solely based on financial need. However, most dancer scholarships are only awarded to students based on their academic performance or their participation in dance-related activities. If you aren’t sure whether or not you qualify for a dance scholarship, make sure to check the requirements and eligibility of each scholarship before you apply.

Types of Dance Scholarships Available

With seemingly unlimited scholarship options available, you may be unaware of the different types of scholarships that are out there. Scholarships are divided into categories to appeal to specific demographics of students who are more likely to win the award. Various scholarships list particular criteria students must meet, such as challenging financial situations or excellent academic performance. It’s important to know which type of scholarship you’re applying for so you know which ones you have a higher chance of winning.

Below are five types of scholarships that might interest those who are dancers.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are scholarships awarded to those who show exceptional academic performance. They are based on the student’s level of success and do not consider financial status. Test scores and GPA are the most common ways to assess merit, but merit-based scholarships are not always limited to grades.

University Scholarships

Colleges or universities distribute university scholarships to help students fund their studies. Many of these are entrance scholarships, so students don’t need to apply to be considered for the award. Your admission into the university or college, by default, makes you eligible.

Government Scholarships

With government scholarships, different agencies register with the government and offer scholarships for students. Governments may offer scholarships for international students to study in their country.

Private Scholarships

Private scholarships are scholarships funded by individual donors or privately-owned businesses. Depending on the donor, these scholarships are awarded based on academic merit or financial need. However, most private scholarships have strict eligibility requirements, such as being from a developing country or only for minorities in specific areas of study.

Financial Scholarships/Bursaries

Also known as bursaries or need-based scholarships, financial scholarships are a form of aid to enable students who require financial assistance to attend colleges or graduate schools. Financial scholarships are independent of merit scholarships. In some cases, students may qualify for both merit-based and need-based scholarships depending on the program or university.

How to Find Dance Scholarships to Apply For

Suppose you have already applied to the dance scholarships listed above or are looking for more scholarships based on your academic performance or artistic ability. In that case, there are plenty of ways to find additional scholarships for dancers. You can conduct a quick Google search on fellowships or grants or check out reputable scholarship platforms such as Bold.org. 

It’s essential to conduct additional research to ensure any website or scholarship you discover is legit and accepted by the school or university you want to attend or are currently attending. You could also contact your school’s financial aid office to see if they offer any relevant internal scholarships.

Tips For Winning Dance Scholarships

Each year, educational institutions offer various scholarships for students who need financial aid. These fellowships, scholarships, and grants are the best opportunities for students to receive a high-quality professional education without debt. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that you will be able to secure every scholarship. However, brushing up on some best practices can enhance your chance of securing top dance scholarships.

Firstly, apply to as many scholarships as possible, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Many educational institutions offer scholarships with diverse attributes, such as grants, fellowships, athletic scholarships, government-funded scholarships, etc. Have a look at the requirements before applying to any fully-funded program. The more applications you submit, the higher your odds of success. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of how many scholarships are out there!

It’s helpful to practice and improve your skills in writing scholarship essays. Many scholarships require personal essays for an applicant to be considered. Scholarship selection committees use these writing samples to get to know you better and discover what makes you unique. Knowing how to impress the judges with these skills can make you stand out and potentially win the award.

Additionally, ensure you have the proper documents to apply for the scholarship. To avoid mishaps, make a checklist of required documents for specific scholarships. This can include letters of recommendation, transcripts, a portfolio of your work, and even language certifications.

Finally, when applying for scholarships, give your best effort. Hard work pays off, and you need to be willing to go the extra mile to reach your goals. There are countless other applicants with similar skills and interests, so you need to be able to prove what makes you stand out and what makes you worthy of being declared the winner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Dance Scholarships

Here are some frequently asked questions about dance scholarships that students interested in dance tend to be curious about.

Are Dance Scholarships Legit?

Yes, scholarships for dancers are legit. While most dance scholarships may be limited to merit-based awards, there are many external scholarships that dancers can receive. However, be aware of scholarship scams when applying to dance scholarships found via an online search. It’s worth conducting additional research to ensure the scholarship you apply for is genuine and not a scam to obtain personal information.

How Can I Improve My Chances of Winning Dance Scholarships?

As mentioned previously, the best way to improve your chances of winning dance scholarships is to be prepared and confident. Take time to research the scholarship to ensure it’s valid and that you match all of the qualifications the scholarship sets out. Turn your full attention towards the essay and any other tasks you must complete. Lastly, be confident and don’t allow potential rejection to get to you. There are many scholarships out there, and while applying may be exhausting, it can be well worth it in the long run.

How Many Dance Scholarships Can You Get?

There’s no limit to how many dance scholarships you can be awarded from a school or external sources. Getting a “full ride” (which means your entire tuition is paid off in scholarships or by the university) is possible at any performing arts school. After all, it’s money you earned. So even if you have applied to a few already, don’t hesitate to apply for more scholarships!

Are Dance Scholarships Taxable Income?

Scholarships, including scholarships for dancers, are not taxable income. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), scholarships are not taxable if they are only used for educational expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, or other supplies. Scholarships become taxable if you use them for non-educational expenses, such as vacations or shopping. Remember, scholarships are awards to help you pay for an education, not extra money for personal expenses.

What’s the Best Way to Apply For Dance Scholarships?

The best way to apply for dance scholarships is by finding relevant opportunities online or contacting your high school or college guidance office. Remember, patience and perseverance can go a long way, and we wish you the best of luck in your academic career.