International Steppers Association Scholarship Criteria
The International Steppers Association Scholarship is intended to provide financial support to students who demonstrate a commitment to the field of dance (performance, academia or the industry). Applicants must be a high school senior who has been accepted in to a four year accredited university or currently enrolled in an accredited program that will lead to an undergraduate degree in a field of study designed to prepare students for careers in dance, fine arts or the entertainment (performance) industry. Awards will be made only to applicants enrolled at institutions that are members of the Council of Arts Accrediting Associations. Members of the Council of Arts Accrediting Associations (CAAA) are the National Association of Schools of Music, founded in 1924; the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, founded in 1944; the National Association of Schools of Theatre, founded in 1965; and the National Association of Schools of Dance, founded in 1981. Among them, these organizations accredit over 1000 institutions or programs in the arts, primarily in conservatories, colleges, universities, and independent schools of the arts.
1. ISA Scholarship recipients will be selected annually by the ISA scholarship committee, after review of application material. Academic and employer references, academic standing, commitment to the academic program, two letters of recommendation (minimum) and other specified criteria will be considered. Parameters for selection include commitment to careers in dance and the performing arts, merit, traditional progress toward degrees, character, campus citizenship, campus involvement, volunteer activities, and financial need.
2. Awards may be made to high school seniors, college freshman, sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Applicants enrolled full-time in baccalaureate programs in the next fall term are the primary candidates for the awards. Consideration will be given to applicants with outstanding credentials that are enrolled full-time in a formal dance program leading to an associate degree. Scholarships will be awarded only for undergraduate study.
3. Students must submit an application and all required information by the 1 May of each year. Recipient (s) will be notified by phone call or letter no later than June 1 of their selection.
4. Completed application must contain name, address, email and other related contact information with all supporting documentation and must be postmarked by April 15. No late applications or parts of the application packet will be accepted.
5. The award is to be used during the traditional academic year (fall through spring), and for academic purposes such as tuition, fees, room, board, and/or books.
6. The ISA Scholarship committee reserves the right to determine if an award will be given for the calendar year.
7. Scholarship funds are payable to educational institution(s) only. Exceptions to this policy can be made by recommendation of the committee based upon individual circumstances.
8. Relatives of the current ISA Scholarship committee and current officers or Board of Directors of the ISA are ineligible.
9. Scholarship recipient selection(s) will be made without regard to race, age, gender, religion, political beliefs, employment status, or any other factor, which could constitute unfair or illegal discrimination.
10. Student must be a U.S. or Canadian citizen and must attend college in the U.S. or Canada during the duration of the scholarship year.
11. Student must be in good standing, have a minimum of a 3.15 cumulative overall grade point average at his/her high school, college or university, and be enrolled full-time during the spring semester when application is made and the following fall semester.
12. Student must submit a transcript from all high school, colleges/universities attended with his/her application. Transcripts must indicate cumulative grade point average.
13. Decisions of the committee are final in all matters related to the above practices.
International Steppers Association
404 Investors Place Suite #106
Virginia Beach VA 23452-1171
