Dance Scholarships
Faculty Awards
University Academic Scholarships
A very high percentage of incoming dance majors are awarded university academic scholarships based upon their admissions application. Prospective freshmen should be sure to check the appropriate box on their application. The University application deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1st.
The most competitive and distinguished merit scholarship, the University Scholars Award, requires a specific request for consideration. Go to http://www.gmu.edu/departments/usp/home/index.html for more information.
Because many of the 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 website 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 Harriet Mattusch Special Recognition Award (up to $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.
The Kevin Campbell Summer Scholarships, tuition grants to summer dance festivals, were established in 1990 to afford dance majors enrichment opportunities that might not be otherwise available to them. 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.
Faculty Awards
At Convocation, the dance faculty recognizes outstanding graduating seniors 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.
- Chris Thaiss Award for Excellence in Writing in Dance - This award, made on behalf of the Writing Across the Curriculum Program and the Dance Department, is given to a graduating dance major in recognition of excellent undergraduate writing in the discipline.