Now accepting applications for our 2023 Summer Semester and our 2023-2024 School Year.
Click HERE to download an application
Columbia Dance is a non-profit organization with a mission of presenting dance as a life-enhancing experience to our students and to our community. It is our goal to make dance education accessible to as many children as possible, and as part of that goal we maintain a healthy financial aid fund to assist any families who might not currently be able to afford tuition for extracurricular activities.
Please fill out our financial aid application to help us award your student financial aid for the upcoming summer session and/or school year. In addition to the financial figures, please explain to us any particular strains on your family at this time (medical bills, supporting a parent, college tuition, recent job loss, etc). We pride ourselves in looking at the whole picture and not just the numbers.
Once complete, submit your application to us either by dropping it by the front desk or emailing it to financialaid@columbiadance.org. Our Financial Aid Committee will then review your application and let you know what kind of award we can provide within 3 weeks of receipt of application.
While the majority of our financial aid decisions are made prior to the start of the school year, we do accept applications year-round. Families who join our school mid-year can apply for financial aid at that time. Current families whose financial situations change mid-year are welcome to apply for financial aid at that time. Financial aid awards are given for the entirety of the school year and are contingent on the student consistently attending class with positive behavior. Applicants are asked to re-apply each year for financial aid consideration.
Financial Aid information is kept confidential.
Please reach out if you have any questions about our financial aid program or application process. We are excited to partner with you to bring the joy of dance to your child. Thank you for applying to Columbia Dance’s Financial Aid Fund.
Columbia Dance Financial Aid FAQ
Q: Are these awards based on merit or financial need?
A: Financial need
Q: How are financial aid awards determined?
A: Our financial aid committee reviews applications, looks at our current budget, and allocates awards accordingly.
Q: Do I have to pay partial tuition or do you award full tuition aid?
A: We ask families to pay what they can. Some families are not able to pay anything and in those cases we award full tuition aid.
Q: What if my income level is not very low, but I have a lot of expenses?
A: We look at the whole picture. There is space on the application level to explain your circumstances. Perhaps you are supporting a parent or a child in college. We take all of that into consideration.
Q: How do I submit a financial aid application?
A: You can fill it out at Columbia Dance or pull it up on our website and email it to financialaid@columbiadance.org
Q: Is there an application deadline?
A: Applications can be submitted at any time.
Q: Do I have to reapply each year?
A: Yes
Q: What if my family needs financial aid mid school year?
A: No problem. Submit an application any time.
Q: Are there any responsibilities assigned to those given financial aid?
A: Not besides having good attendance and positive behavior.
Q: Can financial aid extend to dress code items and performance tickets?
A: Yes. There is a place on the application to note that this support is needed.