SCHOLARSHIP
GUIDELINES

Purpose: 

 

The Dance We Do offers scholarships to support young dancers of all abilities, backgrounds, and genders who are passionate about pursuing dance education. We recognize that financial limitations can prevent some dancers from continuing their training, exploring their artistic growth, and fully committing to their passion. Through these scholarships, our goal is to help remove these barriers by providing financial assistance with tuition and fees, allowing talented dancers to focus on what matters most—developing their skills and nurturing their love for dance.

 

Criteria for Selection:

 

• Applications must be received by May 15, 2026.

• Incomplete applications may affect eligibility, including failure to submit the required two Letters of Recommendation by the application deadline.

• Prior dance training is not required.

• Applicants must be between the ages of 18 months and 18 years old.

• The applicant’s dance studio or organization must be located in San Bernardino County or Riverside County, California.

 

Evaluation Process:

 

Applications will be reviewed by a committee and evaluated based on:

• Financial need, as demonstrated by the income documentation provided.

• Alignment with the organization’s mission and values, based on the applicant’s responses and demonstrated need.

• Completion and quality of the application, including attention to detail and thoughtful responses.

• Letters of Recommendation, including the recommender’s insight into the applicant’s character, commitment, and participation in dance.

Final scholarship awards are determined at the discretion of the Review Committee.

 

Amount and Scope of Scholarship: 

 

• The amount of scholarship awarded may vary for each dancer.

• Scholarship may only be applied toward tuition and fees for the current season, which runs September 2026 – June 2027, and may include the summer session from July 2027 – August 2027. 

• Families with multiple dancers may apply for scholarships for each child, however, separate applications must be completed for each child. 

 

Scholarship funds may be used for the following:

 

• Payment of regular tuition and/or competition rehearsals.

• Payment of company/competition costumes and required recital/showcase costumes.

• Payment of competition/convention fees for competitions/conventions registered by the dancer’s studio/organization.  

• Payment of private lessons at the dancer’s studio/organization. 

• Payment of master classes held at dancer’s studio/organization. 

• Registration/audition fees required to participate in studio/organization.

 

Scholarship funds may not be used for the following:

 

• Payment of lessons outside of the dance studio/organization in which the recipient is enrolled at the time of selection. 

• Payment of wellness appointments, including physical therapy, chiropractic and massage. 

• Payment of tuition in excess of scholarship award. 

• Payment of hotel for out-of- town performing events.

• Payment of overdue tuition owed for prior sessions. 

 

Application:

 

Information

 

• Dancer’s Name

• Dancer’s Age

• Dancer’s Date of Birth

• Parent/Guardian’s Name

• Address

• Email

• Dance Studio’s Information

• Dance Studio’s Contact

• Dance Studio’s Email

 

Questions

*If the dancer is 12 years old or younger, this section may be completed with input directly from the parent/guardian, particularly when discussing challenges.

 

• The dancer must provide a detailed response to the five questions listed below. The format of these answers can be decided by dancer and parent/guardian.

  • Personal Needs/Limitations Related to Dance: Describe any challenges, limitations, or barriers (financial, emotional, physical, cultural, etc.) you face in pursuing a future in dance. Be specific about how these affect your ability to continue training or progress in your dance journey.

  • Attributes and Community: Provide details about how dance has helped shape you into who you are outside of the studio. Highlight characteristics you have developed by being involved in dance. Explain what ways you give back in your community – or how you would hope to be able to give back if awarded this scholarship.

  • Commitment and Growth: Explain how you remain committed to dance and how you make it a priority while also balancing other responsibilities. Provide information about what motivates you most to continue to grow. Share a story about how you have pushed yourself to grow as a dancer. Explain what you learned from this experience.

  • Impact of the Scholarship: Explain how receiving this scholarship would directly support your dance education. Tell how it would alleviate your current challenges.

  • Why You Should Be Awarded This Scholarship: Share why you believe you are a deserving candidate for this scholarship. Highlight your passion and dedication to your dance education and any qualities that make you stand out.

  • Additional Information: Include any other details that you feel are important for the Review Committee to know. This could include special accomplishments, personal stories, why dance is something you can’t imagine giving up, or other circumstances that make you a strong candidate for this scholarship.

 

Dancer’s Photo

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• A professional photo is not required.

• Please ensure the photo is appropriate for a general audience.

 

Dancer’s Video

​

• Submit a video that showcases your dancing.

• The video should be between 1 to 2 minutes long.

 

Annual Household Income

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• All sources of household income must be disclosed, including wages, child support, and any other financial support. 

• A copy of 2025 Income Tax Return is required for all applications.

• Please redact all Social Security Numbers, account numbers, and routing numbers before submitting documents.

• All submitted documents and information will be kept confidential and used solely for scholarship review purposes.

 

Letter of Recommendation

 

• Two Letters of Recommendation are required.

• One letter must be provided by a current Dance Studio Owner, Dance Teacher, or Dance Studio Staff member.

• The second letter should be from a non-family member who can speak to the applicant’s character, dedication, or involvement (for example: a teacher, coach, mentor, or community leader).

• The Letter of Recommendation Form can be found at www.thedancewedo.org, under the Scholarships Tab

• Letters of Recommendation must be submitted directly by the individual completing the form by the application deadline.

 

Award Process:
 

• Application must be complete and include all requested documentation.

• Applicants will be notified by email once the review process is complete, and contact will be provided by July 15, 2026.

• The Dance We Do is an equal opportunity organization. Scholarship decisions are made based on the above criteria and are not based on race, color, origin, religion, gender or sexual orientation.
   

Responsibilities if awarded a Scholarship:

 

• Scholarship recipients and their families are expected to be role models for other dancers in the community and their individual organizations.  

• Dancer and parent/guardian(s) must agree to commit to:

  • Dancer must provide a Letter of Introduction by October 1, 2026.

  • Dancer must provide an invitation with the date and location of at least one performance they will be participating in by April 1, 2027.

  • Dancer must complete at least 1 fundraiser activity by May 1, 2027.

  • Dancer must provide a Letter of Completion by June 1, 2027.

• Documentation of all items listed above must be submitted to The Dance We Do and may be shared with donors of The Dance We Do.

• More information regarding responsibilities will be provided once the scholarship is awarded.

 

Renewal of Scholarship:

 

• This scholarship is not automatically renewed each year.

• Dancers who receive a scholarship this season must re-apply for any following seasons to be awarded additional scholarships.

• Re-applying dancers who did not meet all their responsibilities during the previous season will be excluded from receiving the same scholarship through The Dance We Do in the future.