Financial Aid & Scholarships

Junior Division

Financial Aid

Federal financial aid is not available for students in the Junior Division programs. Partial Tuition Assistance is available for students re-enrolling in Levels III and above and is awarded based on need, attendance record, and student progress. To request an application for tuition assistance, please email juniordivisionregistrar@alvinailey.org ATTN: Tuition Assistance.


Scholarships

The Pre-Professional Program offers scholarships to eligible students (ages 15 to 17) who show the highest potential for a career in dance. Students must audition to be considered for the Scholarship Program and re-audition annually to maintain their scholarship.

Learn how to apply & audition

Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Scholarships

This scholarship was established to recognize dance students who demonstrate superior talent, discipline, and a commitment to excellence as a developing artist. By audition or invitation only.

AileyCamp Scholarship

This scholarship was established to give Ailey Campers who demonstrate exemplary behavior, talent, and a unique desire to train further in dance the opportunity to attend The Ailey School year-round. By invitation only.

Ailey Athletic Boys' Scholarship

This scholarship was established to provide boys who demonstrate a unique passion for dance, and desire to matriculate through higher levels of the Junior Division’s Pre-Professional Program, the opportunity to attend The Ailey School year-round tuition free.  By audition or invitation only. 

Professional Division

Financial Aid

Applicants to the Certificate and Independent Study Programs with demonstrated financial need may apply for federal financial aid to help them afford the costs of tuition, fees, and living expenses. Federal financial aid is not available for the Summer Intensive, but students may audition for merit-based scholarships during the summer term. 

Students in the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program must contact the Fordham University Financial Aid Office or call 718-817-3800 for instructions on how to apply for financial aid. 

Types of Federal Financial Aid programs 

  • The School's Ailey Tuition Remittance Grant (ATR) Program 
  • Federal Pell Grant Program 
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) Program 
  • Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program 
  • Federal Direct Student Loan Programs (Direct Loan) 

For a description of these programs, please visit studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types.

Yearly applications must be received by those interested in receiving aid. New incoming students, transfer students, and continuing students can start applying as soon as the form becomes available (usually as early as December) for the upcoming school year. Learn more about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online

Eligibility 

  • Be a US citizen or a national or permanent resident alien (Green Card holder) 
  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment full-time during the academic year 
  • Make satisfactory academic progress each semester that you are enrolled 
  • Not be in default on a loan, owe a repayment on a previous financial aid award received at The Ailey School or any other institution, and not have any outstanding tuition or fees due from a prior enrollment period at The Ailey School 

Scholarships

The Ailey School's prestigious Scholarship Program offers financial support to students (ages 17 to 21) who show the highest potential for a professional career in dance. 

School Year  

Level 1 – $720 ($360 per semester) 
Level 2 – $1020 ($510 per semester) 

Scholarship awards cover tuition only. Students pay nominal participation fees only. Housing costs are the sole responsibility of the award recipient. Does not include other fees: $20 audition fee (one time), $50 international student fee (one time), $65 registration fee (annually), and $135 physical therapy fee (2x a year, with each semester). 

Summer (5-week session only) 

Level 1 – $250 (includes $50 registration fee) 
Level 2 – $375 (includes $50 registration fee) 

Scholarship awards cover tuition only. Students pay nominal participation fees only. Housing costs are the sole responsibility of the award recipient. Does not include other fees: $20 audition fee (one time). 

Learn how to apply & audition


All fees are subject to change. All fees and required tuition deposits are non-refundable and will be deducted from the total tuition refund. Refunds will be pro-rated according to The Ailey School's published refund policy. To obtain an official withdrawal, students must submit a Withdrawal Form to their Faculty Advisor, who will then submit it to the School Directors. The tuition charge will be assessed according to the student's last date of attendance and the School's published refund policy. 

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