A grant is money given to you by the government for college tuition. Six million students each year receive government grants. The grants available vary by state and can be found online or through your school’s counseling department. Although the Pell Grant is the most common grant, there are thousands of other grants available.

Grants are mainly available to those who are in financial need. However, some are offered to those in special circumstances, such as those with special needs or a military background, or those with a special talent, such as athletics or the arts. Grants are also offered to students in specific fields, such as hotel management, computer science, insurance, and accounting. There are also grants available for minorities, including women. Grants are available for outstanding dancers.

One type of grant available to dance school students is the Caroline H. Newhouse Fund. This grant money is for professional dancers who are looking to pursue academics or start a business related to dance. Applicants are eligible to receive $2,000, and must be established dancers with at least seven years of paid employment in the dance industry, not counting teaching and choreography.

The Princess Grace Awards Program was designed to help aspiring dancers pay their way through college with the assistance of grants. Open to dancers and choreographers, the grant can be used to pay for tuition or special projects in the dance industry. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $25,000. Students must be nominated by their dance school.

Application packets for grants need to be completely filled out. Be sure to follow instructions regarding how to fill out the application, the type of ink to use, what to include, and any applicable deadlines. Make sure you use proper spelling and write clearly. If an essay is required, be sure to write on the topic specified. Have someone review your essay for any typos or unclear language. Make sure you put your best foot forward. First impressions matter.

Be sure to apply for as many grants as possible. Even if you are awarded one, it will rarely pay for all college expenses. You may have to reapply for the same grant each school year, so be aware of the rules regarding your grant award. Although applying for grants can be time consuming, it is worth it when you graduate from dance school debt-free.