Scholarships and Tuition Assistance
Tuition Assistance
School Year 2025.26
Applications are open via the FACTS system annually May 1-June 30 or until funding is exhausted.
The Washington School of Ballet (TWSB) is committed to creating pipelines and pathways for young people of all backgrounds to succeed in school, in dance, and in life. Each year, TWSB awards up to $300,000 in tuition assistance for eligible students in levels Pre-Ballet and above to receive classical ballet training from nationally and internationally renowned faculty. Support this initiative by giving a tax-deductible donation to The Washington Ballet!
Tuition assistance awards apply to School Year programs. Assistance for Summer Programs are extended to families who were awarded tuition assistance during the School Year via a Summer Programs Tuition Assistance Extension Application. The Extension Application period is December through February of each year and extensions are awarded as funding permits.
Tuition Assistance Application Process
Applications for upcoming School Year programs are accepted May 1 through June 30 of each year through the FACTS Grant & Aid system. Applications are $45 per family. Families who would like to apply for tuition assistance should do so prior to enrolling their child in classes.
More
FACTS Grant & Aid Application:
Applications are $45 per family.
If you are a returning FACTS customer, please sign in via the provided link.
If you are a new FACTS customer, you will create a new username & password.
To Create an Account:
- Enter your preferred email address. This email address will be contacted by TWSB to alert you if you have been awarded assistance.
- Enter your (Parent) information. This includes your name, address, email address, and phone numbers
- Create a username and password for your account. You will also create a 4-digit PIN, select telephone questions, and type the answers. These questions are asked to identify families making inquiries by phone.
- Click START APPLICATION to begin the Tuition Assistance Application process.
Once you log in, follow the links to complete your Grant & Aid application. Be sure to select the Grant & Aid application for the correct school year.
You will be asked to upload your financial documents after submitting your application and making the $45 payment.
FACTS Definitions
Applicant: The parent of the dancer requesting tuition assistance. If the parents are divorced, the parent that is responsible for the child’s ballet tuition should fill out the application. If both divorced parents are responsible for ballet tuition, each parent should fill out a separate form.
Co-Applicant: Any other adult in your same household that is not listed as a dependent for tax purposes.
Household: Includes the Applicant, Co-Applicant, and/or any other elder dependents in the household
All families should Create an Account in FACTS for 2025-26 SY applications since it is their first time using the platform.
Read FAQ’s about FACTS Grant & Aid here.
How does TWSB determine who receives Tuition Assistance?
Priority is given to re-enrolling families who have previously received assistance and still qualify. All remaining funds are awarded to applicants on a first-come-first-served basis. More
- Re-enrolling students at the SE Campus who already receive tuition assistance and re-apply during the priority enrollment period.
- Re-enrolling students at the SE Campus who do not yet receive tuition assistance and apply during the priority enrollment period.
- Re-enrolling students at the NW Campus who have previously received tuition assistance.
- New students who qualify for tuition assistance.
Why do we give priority to our SE campus at THEARC? Our special partnership with THEARC allows us to provide additional tuition assistance specifically to support enrollment and programming at our SE campus.
How is the award amount determined and what is it applied toward?
Awards may vary depending on need and funds available at the time of application. Awards are applied towards tuition only and cannot be applied towards administrative fees, production fees, or other costs. More
TWSB uses the federal Income Eligibility Guidelines (IEGs), commonly used to determine eligibility for free and reduced price meals in an academic setting, to determine eligibility for assistance. Tuition assistance is decided based on each family’s demonstrated financial need as well as available funds. Although we strive to help every eligible family, you may be placed on a waiting list if funding is not currently available.
2025-2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines
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In order to qualify for Tuition Assistance, your household income must be below the limits defined by the 2025-2026 Income Eligibility Guidelines. Qualifying does not guarantee funding.
- Household size is determined by all adults and children included in your Federal Income Tax return and/or living in your household.
- Your household income includes incomes earned by all adults in the household.
|
Total Household Size
|
Maximum Annual Income
|
Maximum Monthly Income
|
|
| 1 | $54,775.00 | $4,564.58 | |
| 2 | $74,025.00 | $6,168.75 | |
| 3 | $93,275.00 | $7,772.92 | |
| 4 | $112,525.00 | $9,377.08 | |
| 5 | $131,775.00 | $10,981.25 | |
| 6 | $151,025.00 | $12,585.42 | |
| 7 | $170,275.00 | $14,189.58 | |
| 8+ | $189,525.00 | $15,793.75 |
What documentation will I need for the application?
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- Copy of the most recent IRS Federal Form 1040, 1040A or 1040-EZ U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.
- If applicant and co-applicant file separately, we require both tax returns for the same tax year.
- We do not require State Tax Returns.
- Copies of all supporting tax documents if you have business income/loss from any of the following:
- Business – send Schedule C or C-EZ and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization
- Farm – send Schedule F and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization
- Rental Property – send Schedule E (page 1)
- S-Corporation – send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1120S (5 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form 8825
- Partnership – send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1065 (5 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form 8825
- Estates and Trusts – send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1041 and Schedule K-1
- *IMPORTANT: If you file a tax return but do not have W-2 wages because you are self-employed, you will be required to submit a copy of your current year Federal Form 1040 Tax Return.
- Copies of all supporting documentation for household Non-Taxable Income such as:
- Social Security Income,
- Welfare,
- Child Support,
- Food Stamps,
- Workers’ Compensation,
- and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Printable PDF: FACTS Supporting Documents
What if I need to make changes to my application?
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If you are applying online and have not submitted your application as complete, you may log back on to the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment website and make your changes. Once an online application has been submitted, you will need to contact the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment office at 866-441-4637 or by e-mail at info@factstuitionaid.com to make changes. Some restrictions may apply to making changes to an application. A FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment team member will notify you if a change cannot be made.
How can I check the status of my application?
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Once you have completed the online application, you will be able to log on to the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment website with a username and password to check the status of your application. The username and password will be created by you the first time that you log on. For questions regarding the status of your application, or if you have misplaced your username and password, you will need to contact a FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment team member at 866-441-4637 or e-mail info@factstuitionaid.com.
- School Year decisions are sent out by June 1 for early applicants and July 1 for later applicants.
- If you have received an award, you must register within the deadline listed, or your award will be applied to the first person on the waiting list.
- Awards sent on June 1 will have a deadline of June 15
- Awards sent on July 1 will have a deadline of July 15
- If you have been notified that you are on a waitlist, you will be contacted only if funding becomes available.
What do I have to do to maintain my award?
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- All students must maintain above an 80% attendance rate and/or communicate attendance needs with their teacher.
- The student and parents/guardians must abide the rules of conduct set forth by TWSB in the Parent Handbook and other similar materials.
- Families, guardians, or friends of the student must commit to attend or volunteer at TWSB events that involve the student.
- Meet all financial obligations to TWSB.
- All returning students must submit an application for tuition assistance prior to enrolling for full school year programs.
Additional questions?
Contact Kayla DeShields at kdeshields@washingtonballet.org
Scholarships
Merit & Boys Scholarships
Merit & Boys scholarships for The Washington School of Ballet are awarded to students who show exceptional talent and drive to pursue ballet training at the professional level. Scholarships are extremely competitive, and students must maintain a minimum of an 80% attendance rate, participate in program-related events, and uphold the conduct and behavior standards of TWSB. Scholarships are awarded to talented enrolled students and potential students identified during Summer Intensive audition tours.
The Washington School of Ballet Scholarship Initiative specifically seeks to encourage participation from those who are inadequately represented in ballet, including boys and young men. Ballet training offers boys and young men a unique opportunity to build athleticism, strength, flexibility, balance, discipline, and teamwork in a rigorous yet supportive environment. Students will grow into confident young artists inside the studio and strong young men of character outside the studio as they learn respect, self-expression, and team-building skills.
Dance DC Merit Scholarships
The Washington Ballet selects talented students from DanceDC participant schools to receive a merit-based scholarship to The Washington School of Ballet. DanceDC Merit Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to study classical ballet, free of charge or with reduced tuition, for a full school year. This program is vital for these TWSB students, many of whom would not be able to pursue their dance training without financial support.More
“My appreciation for the DanceDC Merit Scholarship goes far beyond the monetary help they provide for my daughter’s dance education. This program has actually built a bridge from her dreams to reality, opening her eyes to her full potential in the world. How could I ever thank them for showing her there is no limit to what she can do, where she can go, and who she can be?”
-Lauren Dew, parent of a 2016 DanceDC Merit Scholar
Lynn Cote Memorial Scholarship
Since 2019, friends and family have generously contributed in her memory to create this annual scholarship fund at The Washington School of Ballet. Recipients to this scholarship must demonstrate drive, commitment and joy of the art form, attributes Lynn would have appreciated. The award value is equal to one year of training at The Washington School of Ballet.More
In Memory of Lynn Cote
Lynn Cote graduated from the Academy of the Washington Ballet (now The Washington School of Ballet) in 1977. She was a founding member of The Washington Ballet professional company where she danced and toured with the company all over the world. The majority of her performance career was with The Washington Ballet, where she spent over 20 years in addition to several years with the Boston Ballet. Later in her professional career with The Washington Ballet, she served as Ballet Mistress and Choreographer in Residence. She also choreographed for several dance companies nationally and received numerous recognitions and industry awards. Fellow dancers recall Lynn as a muse to Choo San Goh, Artistic Associate and resident choreographer at that time, who loved her sensitivity to music and her dare-devil approach. She brightened the stage with her presence, thrilled the audience and inspired younger dancers.
Lynn Cote Memorial Scholarship Recipients
2021.22 Michaele (Misha) Glouchkova, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
2022.23 Annie Bacon, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
2023.24 Danielle Foege, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
2024.25 Jillian Schene, The Washington School of Ballet Trainee Program Student
This scholarship is awarded each summer for the upcoming school year to one student who has completed a minimum of one year of training at TWSB.
Rory Schwartz Scholarship
The Rory Schwartz Fund honors the memory of Rory Jashinsky Schwartz and benefits students of The Washington School of Ballet who demonstrate Rory’s talent and passion, and who are striving towards a career in dance. More
Rory Schwartz Scholarship Recipients
2013.14 Christianne Campbell, University of Oklahoma
2014.15 Stefan Goncalvez, Joffrey Ballet Company Member
2015.16 Aiden Carrasquel, Ballet San Antonio Company Member
2016.17 Rafael Bejarano, The Washington Ballet Studio Company Member
2017.18 Joshua Kiesel, The Washington School of Ballet, Trainee Division Member
2018.19 Jordan Lovelace, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Division Program Student
2019.20 Trae Mikus, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
2022.23 Francesco Messina, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
2023.24 Francesco Messina, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
2024.25 Gabe Saad, The Washington School of Ballet Trainee Program Student
This scholarship is awarded each summer for the upcoming school year to one student who has completed a minimum of one year of training at TWSB.
Dionette Alvarez Cherney Memorial Scholarship
The Dionette Alvarez Cherney scholarship honors the memory of Dionette and benefits students of The Washington School of Ballet who demonstrate a passion for ballet, and who are striving towards a career in dance. More
Dionette Alvarez Cherney Memorial Scholarship Recipients
2020.21 Jacob Liberman, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
2022.23 Jacob Liberman, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
2023.24 Jacob Liberman, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
This scholarship is awarded each summer for the upcoming school year to one student who has completed a minimum of one year of training at TWSB.
Morton and Grace Bender Scholarship
The Morton and Grace Bender scholarship honors the Bender family’s generosity and support of The Washington Ballet. This scholarship benefits students of The Washington School of Ballet who demonstrate a passion for ballet, and who are striving towards a career in dance. More
Morton and Grace Bender Scholarship Recipients
2020.21 Viggo Christensen, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Program Student
2022.23 Cayce Cavett, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
2023.24 Cayce Cavett, The Washington School of Ballet Professional Training Division Student
This scholarship is awarded each summer for the upcoming school year to one student who has completed a minimum of one year of training at TWSB.
Scholarship Initiative
The Washington Ballet announced its renewed commitment to supporting young people from all backgrounds in pursuing ballet study. The company will award more than $350,000 in scholarships and tuition assistance each year to students who otherwise would not be able to afford ballet study, with an emphasis on people traditionally underrepresented in ballet, such as people of color and young men.
Read through the document below for more information on our scholarship initiative:
