Scholarships
Many students in the SCCD receive financial assistance. This can be a single scholarship or a package of various offerings. Students should begin working with TCU’s Financial Aid office as soon as they have been admitted to the SCCD and to TCU.
Talent-Based Merit Scholarships
Several endowed scholarships from generous individuals and organizations have been given to SCCD to attract talented students and to support current students. These scholarships are talent-based and may be combined with other forms of scholarship and/or financial aid.
Awards are generally renewable for a total of eight semesters or upon graduation from SCCD, whichever occurs first. Each award stipulates varying renewal requirements. For specific information, see descriptions below.
On occasion and when available, dance merit awards and/or dance admission offers may be made at select college audition festivals and conferences (for example, National High School Dance Festival, New York City Dance Alliance, etc.).
Amount: varies, $10,000 per year minimum
Eligibility: Dance major
Graciously endowed by Dr. L.A. and Pearl Nordan, the Nordan Fine Arts Scholarship in Dance is awarded by audition and is based on potential, as well as on skills and demonstrated execution.
Two to four scholarships are typically awarded to first-year BFA majors. In addition to maintaining the standard academic and departmental criteria, recipients of this scholarship are required to re-audition each year and to sign the SCCD Scholarship Agreement .
All auditioning applicants will automatically be considered for this scholarship. Candidates auditioning in October, November or January will be informed in their acceptance letters if they are eligible for the Nordan Fine Arts Scholarship. By the end of February, these eligible students will learn if they have been awarded a scholarship or if they are on the wait list for a scholarship should another recipient reject her/his award. Notification of these results will only be done by letter.
Candidates auditioning in February will learn in their acceptance letter whether they have been awarded a scholarship or are on the wait list for a scholarship.
Amount: varies, up to $4,500 per year
Eligibility: Female, Ballet major and one of the three criteria below
The Adrienne Miller Perner Memorial Scholarship is a talent-based scholarship established at the TCU School for Classical & Contemporary Dance. Recipient will be selected by the SCCD ballet faculty and must sign the SCCD Scholarship Agreement Form Eligible candidates will meet the TCU minimum criteria for receiving financial aid and will be females majoring in Ballet who also meet one of the following criteria:
- a student whose parents or grandparents are/were career military personnel,
- a student who has participated in and/or has completed her training at The National Dance Institute of New Mexico, or
- a student who has shown exceptional interest in helping others in community volunteer work/activities.
Download the Adrienne Miller Perner Memorial Scholarship Application.
Amount: varies, up to $ 2,500 per year
Eligibility: Modern Dance major
The Calloway and Jerry Bywaters Cochran Scholarship for Excellence in Modern Dance is awarded to those students showing the highest level of technique and artistry in Modern Dance. First preference will be given to a Modern Dance major who demonstrates talent and potential for future development and/or financial need. Selection is made by the SCCD contemporary and modern dance faculty and recipients must sign the SCCD Scholarship Agreement Form.
Amount: varies, up to $4,500 per year
Eligibility: Dance major, typically Junior or Senior standing
Faculty members nominate candidates for the honor based on any of the following criteria: talent, scholarship, service, professional and ethical conduct, and need. The most deserving and qualified student is chosen by majority vote of the full-time SCCD faculty. Recipient must sign the SCCD Scholarship Agreement Form.
Amount: varies, up to $5,000 per year
Eligibility: Female Ballet major
The recipient or recipients will be female, Ballet major(s) who maintain a 2.5 overall GPA. Recipient will be selected by the SCCD ballet faculty. Recipient must sign the SCCD Scholarship Agreement Form.
Amount: varies, up to $ 2,500 per year
Eligibility: Modern Dance major
The Michelle Tyer Heines Contemporary Dance Scholarship is awarded to a BFA Modern Dance major selected by the SCCD contemporary and modern dance faculty on the basis of talent, potential, work ethic, and need. Recipient must sign the SCCD Scholarship Agreement Form.
Amount: varies, up to $2,500 per year
Eligibility: Dance major, middle-income status
The SCCD faculty will select a Dance major as beneficiary of this award. The recipient’s family’s Adjusted Gross Income must fall within middle-income status as determined by the TCU Office of Financial Aid. Selection will be based on need, talent, and/or other criteria the faculty deems appropriate.
For more information about scholarships at TCU, visit the Office of Financial Aid.
Scholarship Highlight
Erin Johnson
BFA Ballet ’16, General Business minor
Nordan Scholar
“Without the aid of donors, I would be unable to attend this respected university and unable to receive the best possible training for my desired career. As a recipient of this scholarship, I would like to thank the Dr. L.A. and Pearl Nordan Endowment for the chance to strive toward and pursue my dreams. (photo Josh Brewster Photography)
Leah Williams
BFA Modern Dance ’18, Arts Administration minor, John V. Roach Honors College, Deans Scholar
Nordan Scholar
“I would not be at TCU without my Nordan Scholarship. It lifted my financial burden and I am eternally grateful. I am happy to have a home here at TCU, and it is solely because of the freedom the Nordan Scholarship granted me.” (Photo: The Dancing Image, Choreography: Kihyoung Choi)