Pursuing an acting career through college can be costly, with average U.S. drama program tuition at $30,000 annually (National Center for Education Statistics, 2023). Yet, scholarship for acting ease the burden, with over 1.7 million awarded yearly, totaling $7.4 billion (Education Data Initiative, 2024).
Only 7% of college students secure one, but acting-specific awards are nicheless than 2% of high school performers earn arts scholarships (College Board, 2023). In 2022, the National Endowment for the Arts funded $4.2 million in performing arts grants, a fraction of the $46 billion from the U.S. Department of Education (NEA, 2023).
Programs like NYU Tisch (acceptance rate: 17%) offer merit-based aid to 25% of students (QS World Rankings, 2025).
Why Study Acting?
The reasons why you should consider getting a college degree in acting are as follows:
- In a world where efficient communication is essential, the study of drama fosters verbal and nonverbal communication abilities, as well as individual and group communication skills, all of which are life skills.
- Acting improves students’ artistic and creative ability as well as their understanding of themselves and their surroundings.
- Students can become more critically reflective members of their community through exploring theatre situations relating to identity, societies, cultures, ideologies, gender, time, and change.
- Through learning that involves thought, feeling and action, students in acting can study intellectual, social, physical, emotional, and moral dimensions.
- Acting improves skills in interpreting, researching, negotiating, problem-solving, and decision-making, as well as self-discipline, confidence, and teamwork.
How to get a full scholarship for acting
Full-acting scholarships are the holy grail of financial chances, covering practically everything for the duration of the university years. The provider will cover your tuition and living expenses, allowing you to focus on your education and social life without worrying about money. Isn’t that fantastic?
Here is how to get a scholarship for acting
- Know where to look for an acting scholarship
- Plan ahead of time
- Maintain your motivation by working hard
- Make your application stand out from the crowd
- Carefully read the application instructions
- Submit an outstanding scholarship essay or cover letter
I) Know where to look for an acting scholarship
First and foremost, where do you go to find a full scholarship for acting? Your first port of call should be the official website of your selected university, since they may provide their own financing opportunities for students from your location or in your subject, or they may list other scholarships you could apply to.
II) Plan ahead of time
If you know you’ll require a full scholarship to attend university, it’s critical to start planning as soon as possible. This is especially important if you are required to attend an interview – some universities hold special scholarship weekends,’ where 50-100 students are invited on campus to interview a faculty member, answering questions about their goals and motivations, as well as how this fits in with that university and course.
III) Maintain your motivation by working hard
Even though some full scholarships for acting may be offered solely on financial need rather than academic excellence, others will consider both factors or will be awarded only to exceptional students. You should work hard in your studies, but if you want to get the full scholarship, you’ll need to truly put in the effort, as the majority are offered to the highest-achieving students.
IV) Make your application stand out from the other applicants
With so many applicants vying for a full scholarship, it’s critical to separate from the crowd by exhibiting a genuine desire to enhance yourself as a person.
V) Carefully read the application instructions
This may sound apparent, but you don’t want to blow your chances by forgetting to include a document or piece of information that was specified in the scholarship application guidelines. Read the application advice carefully and again to avoid missing anything, and write to the provider if you need clarification on anything.
VI) Submit an outstanding scholarship essay or cover letter.
Another thing that goes without saying, is that your application essay/cover letter must be of the highest quality possible. This includes ensuring that it is clear and succinct, properly formatted, gets the reader’s attention with a strong start, remains focused on its major theme or issue, and has perfect spelling and punctuation.
Scholarship for Acting
Regardless of how much natural talent actors and actresses possess, proper training provides various benefits. A college degree is an excellent way to gain knowledge and experience related to your work, and it can help you make the connections that will lead to your big break.
Obtaining a higher degree through a college education can come with a lot of drama, especially when it comes to obtaining the money to pay for school.
Fortunately, there are acting scholarships available to help you perfect your skills without incurring an excessive student loan burden.
Managing a career in the theatre or the entertainment industry can be stressful and repulsive. Regardless of the difficulty, several organizations are willing to aid people in realizing their dreams.
Here are a handful of scholarship opportunities for acting students to help brief your performing arts organization.
Many scholarships for acting are school-specific, but there are also several network and association-specific grants.
Through the performance of a free school scholarship search, you can discover more acting scholarships, as well as scholarships based on your many abilities and hobbies.
Is getting a scholarship for acting possible?
Yes, you can earn a scholarship for acting, but you must work extremely hard.
Because acting is a difficult and competitive vocation, your hard work must pay off.
So, in addition to having exceptional performing talent, you must be extremely determined to obtain a scholarship.
Top 15 Scholarship for Acting
The following are the top acting scholarships. To stand a better chance of securing these scholarships, you need to learn How To Write an Award-Winning Scholarship Motivation Letter.
- Austin College Theatre Scholarship
- Loyola University Merit Scholarships
- Ossie Davis Scholars Program
- Virginia Budge Fine Arts Award
- Stein Family Scholarship Fund
- M. Josephine O’Neil Arts Award
- Chicago Drama League Retention Scholarship
- Donna Reed Foundation Scholarships
- George Heller Memorial Scholarship
- NATAS Pacific Southwest Scholarships
- Richard C. and Joyce J. Hannon Scholarship
- Rising Star in Production Scholarship
- Utah Theatre Association Scholarships
- Vivian Klemz Memorial Scholarship
- Kevin Corrigan Scholarship for Young Actors
#1. Austin College Theatre Scholarship
Austin College theatre scholarship is one of the scholarships for acting and is given to students with theatre talents – both those who intend to major or minor in theatre and those who do not intend to major or minor in theatre.
Every year, a limited number of scholarship awards are made available and distributed. Candidates must have a live audition or portfolio presentation, as well as a meeting with theatre faculty, in the late winter of their senior year to be considered.
This prize is renewable each year with the director of the theatre office’s approval, assuming a student has met acceptable performance expectations.
#2. Loyola University Merit Scholarships
Scholarships for first-year students and students from other schools are based on outstanding academic records, competitive exam results, and vital network contributions. Talented scholarships are also available in music, theatrical arts, and visual arts.
These acting scholarship prizes are based solely on scholarly authenticity as determined throughout the application process and do not necessitate an interview.
#3. Ossie Davis Scholars Program
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) manages this scholarship program. Which will award up to $6,800 to honour the American Theater Hall of Famer and civil rights, pioneer.
African American freshmen interested in attending approved four-year HBCUs can apply for a variety of degrees such as theatre, show, acting, and performing arts.
Scholars must be legal residents of the United States, have a CGPA of at least 3.0, and employ artistic activity to improve human existence.
#4. Virginia Budge Fine Arts Award
The Virginia Budge Fine Arts Award is named after the anecdotal character portrayed by writer Bridget Ossmann in Teachers Left Behind and is worth $500. It is given to Butler County residents who demonstrate exceptional talent and creativity.
Qualified candidates must be at least 12 years old, interested in theatre or art classes, and intend to make beauty in many media such as acting.
#5. Stein Family Scholarship Fund
The Hawaii Community Foundation (HCF) sponsors this scholarship for acting, which awards $4.5 million each year through more than 200 private, state-based programs, including the Stein Family Scholarship.
#6. M. Josephine O’Neil Arts Award
The M. Josephine O’Neil Arts Award is granted in remembrance of a Lambda State Executive Board member who died at the age of 100 and is sponsored by the Illinois Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.
Each year, the scholarships total $6,000 in value. Interested females must be legal residents of Illinois, be in their junior year at authorized US colleges, declare arts majors such as acting or theatre, and be recommended by a Lambda State chapter.
#7. Chicago Drama League Retention Scholarship
The Student Financial Services (SFS) Office at Columbia College Chicago offers a $1,500 Chicago Drama League Retention Scholarship to a full-time undergrad theatre student studying acting.
Qualification criteria include having completed 12+ credits at Columbia, having a total GPA of at least 3.0, demonstrating financial need on the FAFSA, participating in Theatre Department shows, and delivering a few-page essay.
#8. Donna Reed Foundation Scholarships
The Donna Reed Foundation, named after the Oscar-winning actress best known for her roles in It’s a Wonderful Life and From Here to Eternity, has been awarding merit-based scholarships since 1986. Iowa secondary school seniors must be studying theatre and have performed in approved school performances to be eligible for a $1,000 scholarship.
Other requirements include enrollment into an authorized US school, maintaining a GPA of at least 3.0, and providing a good video sample of their acting ability.
#9. George Heller Memorial Scholarship
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) Foundation awards the George Heller Memorial Scholarship for up to $2,500 per year in honour of one of its founders.
Qualified individuals and their lawful wards can use finance to pay for educational costs and fees at approved US higher learning institutions, including acting schools. Actors interested in receiving cutting-edge performing arts training should apply for the John L. Dales Transitional Scholarship.
#10. NATAS Pacific Southwest Scholarships
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) Pacific Southwest Chapter awards scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000 to full-time undergraduate and graduate students.
Only applications from chapter-affiliated regions, such as Las Vegas, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Palm Springs, are accepted.
Qualified acting majors are required to take 6+ units every term at reputable schools, have excellent academic records, plan careers in television, and have a financial need.
#11. Richard C. and Joyce J. Hannon Scholarship
The Richard C. and Joyce J. Hannon Scholarship is one of the acting scholarships granted by the Stark Community Foundation (SCF) in Canton, Ohio.
The scholarship value granted to Carrollton High School graduates to assist them in their artistic pursuits varies.
Music, acting, dramatization, theatre expressions, discourse, radio, and film creation are all acceptable degrees.
Candidates must be admitted to a licensed four-year institution, demonstrate academic merit with a GPA of at least 2.5, and participate in school displays.
#12. Utah Theatre Association Scholarships
A $3,000 Utah Theatre Association scholarship is provided to actors, singers, dancers, and playwrights who attend Utah Theatre Association auditions for their performing arts training.
Brigham Young, Idaho State, Central Washington, Southern Utah, and Dixie State are among the universities that commonly participate, but secondary school seniors from any approved U.S. school are welcome.
Audition packets must include 25 resumes and headshots for judges to assess, as well as prospects performing two contrasting monologues.
#13. Vivian Klemz Memorial Scholarship
The Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF) awards the Vivian Klemz Memorial Drama Scholarship for at least $500 each year to Californians who creatively exceed expectations in the visual and performing arts, such as acting.
Residents from Thousand Oaks to Santa Paula are applying to meet financial requirements for attending approved, four-year arts institutes across the country. Without a recent transcript, resume, tax return, and a maximum 700-word individual explanation, online applications are considered fragmented.
#14. Kevin Corrigan Scholarship for Young Actors
This scholarship for acting is one of the actor scholarships and is named after the Bronx native who has over 149 acting credits including Goodfellas and The Departed.
The Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute bestow this acting scholarship award each year. It is open to non-matriculated child actors between the ages of 12 and 17 who live in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
#15. King Family Undergraduate Scholarships
The Charles and Lucille King Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in New Jersey that was founded in 1988, has made $7,000 in Undergraduate Scholarships accessible to school-year juniors and seniors interested in careers in television and acting.
Full-time students at accredited four-year universities in the United States are evaluated based on intellectual quality, media industry experience, financial need, and promise. In addition, the Foundation offers a $10,000 Heinemann Award to New York University students.
Conclusion
You should apply for more than one of these scholarships for acting if you wish to be an actor.
The purpose of applying for multiple scholarships for acting is to boost your chances of getting at least one.
Obtaining any of these scholarships and completing the program will help your acting career.
READ ALSO: Top 20 Study Abroad Scholarships Undergraduate
FAQs
What Are the Prerequisites for Studying Acting?
For you to study acting, you must be gifted with certain skills or have worked on your skills and improved your ability.
What Do You Learn in College By Studying Acting?
A degree in performing arts will teach, develop, and enhance the following talents as an actor:
- Acting for the stage.
- Acting mime.
- Dancing abilities.
- Knowledge of music.
How do I get a scholarship for acting?
You can get a scholarship for acting in the following scholarship opportunities:
- Austin College Theatre Scholarship
- Loyola University Merit Scholarships
- Ossie Davis Scholars Program
- Virginia Budge Fine Arts Award
- Stein Family Scholarship Fund
- M. Josephine O’Neil Arts Award
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