Academic Scholarships

A very high percentage of incoming dance majors are awarded university academic scholarships. Freshman applying for admissions to GMU are automatically considered for the following scholarships. The University application deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1st.

• University Scholar Awards ($20,000 Award => $5,000 each for four academic years): Recipients receive preferred registration and housing and exclusive use of scholars center and computer lab. Awarded to 24 students in each year's entering class. Mean high school GPA for Fall 2000 recipients was 3.9 and mean SAT composite was 1350.
• Academic Scholarships ($12,000 Award => $3,000 each year for four academic years): Fifty Academic Scholarships are awarded to non-Virginia residents only. Typically, high school GPA for recipients exceeds 3.5 and the SAT composite exceeds 1200.
• Deans' Scholarships ($6,000 Award => $1,500 each year for four academic years): Fifty Deans' Scholarships are awarded to Virginia residents only. Typically, high school GPA for recipients exceeds 3.5 and the SAT composite exceeds 1200.

More information about financial aid can be found at http://apollo.gmu.edu/finaid/

Because many scholarships are need based, all dance majors are encouraged to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. Visit the university’s Financial Aid web site often to learn about any scholarship opportunities that are available to you.

Dance Scholarships

Students must be declared dance majors to be considered for the following scholarship opportunities:

Dance Talent Scholarships ($12,000 - $20,000 Award => $3,000-$5,000 each year for four years). One to two scholarships, funded by Friends of Dance, are awarded each year to incoming freshmen who demonstrate outstanding talent at audition. To renew the scholarship each year, recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA, participate fully in all department performance activities and be a good university citizen.

The Bette Carter Dance Award ($1,000), a scholarship funded by the Great Falls Woman’s Club to honor a former member, is awarded to a fulltime, continuing, undergraduate student who is a Virginia resident, and who has a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.5 or above. The student must also demonstrate need, as certified by the Financial Aid Office.

The Friends of Dance Special Recognition Award ($2500), funded by Friends of Dance, is awarded by the Dance faculty to a fulltime, continuing, undergraduate student who demonstrates consistent hard work and dedication to dance as an art form, and who makes positive contributions to dance department activities.

Summer Scholarship Awards

The Kevin Campbell Summer Scholarships, tuition grants to summer dance festivals, were established in 1990 to afford student dancers enrichment opportunities that might not be otherwise available to them. Monies to fund the scholarships come from donations by audience members, ticket sales, outreach performances, bake sales and other fund raisers organized by the Dance Company throughout the year.

Applicants for the scholarships demonstrate a serious intention to pursue a personal objective through summer study, make contributions to the GMU Dance Company through choreography, performance and service, and have need for financial assistance.

These scholarship awards have given dancers the opportunity to study at American Dance Festival, Bates Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, Harvard Summer Dance, Alvin Ailey, Urban Bush Women Summer Institute, the Joe Goode Workshop and other festivals and workshops.

The dance faculty also recognizes outstanding students annually by awarding the following honors:

Excellence in Performance – This award is given to a graduating dance major who demonstrates professional commitment to the field and who has performed in numerous, diverse dance roles.

Excellence in Choreography – This award is given to a graduating dance major who demonstrates professional commitment to the field, has a proven record of produced choreography and has contributed to George Mason productions.

Excellence in Academic Endeavors – This award is given to a graduating dance major with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.5 or higher who has demonstrated intellectual curiosity and creativity.

Outstanding Achievement in the Major – This award is given to a graduating dance major who participated fully in every aspect of the program, earned a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher, pursued every opportunity for growth and development, and demonstrated professional commitment to the field.

Excellence in Leadership – This award is given to a dance major who has been an active dance student leader, has demonstrated leadership within the GMU campus community and the region, and has made a long-term contribution to the dance program.