College Dance Scholarships and Requirements
How dance scholarships work for men's and women's teams, which college programs can offer aid, and what coaches look for before you reach out.
Which Colleges Offer Dance Scholarships?
Explore dance programs across NCAA Division I, Division II, NAIA and junior colleges that can offer athletic scholarships. Division III schools don't award them but may offer academic and need-based aid.
NCAA Division I Dance Scholarships
The NCAA's Division I roster-limit table doesn't list dance, so aid depends on each college's own team.
NCAA Division II Dance Scholarships
The NCAA's Division II scholarship table doesn't list dance, so aid depends on each college's own team.
NCAA Division III Dance Scholarships
NCAA Division III schools can't award athletic scholarships, but coaches still recruit. Many offer academic and need-based aid through the financial aid office.
NAIA Dance Scholarships
NAIA colleges can offer athletic scholarships, but each school decides how much within NAIA rules. Total aid can't exceed the cost of attending.
NJCAA Dance Scholarships
NJCAA aid depends on the division: Division I can offer full scholarships, Division II covers tuition, fees and books, and Division III offers none.
How Do College Dance Scholarships Work?
College dance scholarships help student-athletes pay for college based on their athletic ability. Learn how full and partial scholarships work, which NCAA and NAIA schools offer dance aid, and what you need to qualify for a dance scholarship.
What Is a Dance Athletic Scholarship?
An athletic scholarship is financial aid a college gives an athlete to compete for its dance team. The college decides who receives one and how much, usually through the coaching staff. NCAA Division I and II schools, NAIA schools and some junior colleges can offer them. NCAA Division III schools cannot.
Full vs. Partial Dance Scholarships
A full scholarship covers the main costs of attending, and a partial scholarship covers part of them. The NCAA says most athletics scholarships are partial, and athletes often combine them with academic awards and need-based aid. Ask each dance coach how the program splits its aid across the roster.
NCAA Division I Dance Scholarship Rules
In June 2025 the NCAA Division I Board adopted roster limits to replace sport-specific scholarship limits. They apply to schools in the defendant conferences and to schools that opt in to the settlement rules, and they took effect July 1, 2025. Those schools can offer partial or full scholarships to any athlete on their roster, within the roster limit. Schools that have not opted in follow different rules, so you cannot assume one limit applies everywhere. Ask each program what it can offer.
NAIA and Junior College Dance Scholarships
NAIA first-time athletes need an eligibility determination from the NAIA Eligibility Center, and each NAIA college decides what athletic aid to offer within the NAIA limits for its sports. NJCAA colleges follow their division: Division I may offer full scholarships, Division II covers tuition, fees and books, and Division III offers none. Always confirm a college's level before you plan around aid.
Athletic vs. Academic Dance Scholarships
Students in every division can receive academic scholarships, grants and need-based aid. Division III schools do not give athletic scholarships, so their athletes rely on these other types of aid. Many athletes at other levels combine athletic aid with them.
How to Qualify for Dance Scholarships
Colleges offer dance scholarships to athletes they recruit, so the conversation usually starts with a coach who knows who you are. When you write, lead with your styles, years of training and competition placements and include a solo performance and a technique reel. A coach decides based on their roster needs, their budget and what they see in you, and no one can promise an offer.
What Dance Coaches Evaluate
What coaches check for each part of your dancing, and what to send when you ask about aid.
Technique
- Turns, leaps and flexibility
- Control, extension and cleanliness
- Years of training in your styles
- A technique reel with turns and leaps
- Your styles and years of training
- Your studio or coach's contact information
Performance
- Stage presence and energy
- Expression and showmanship
- Performance experience
- A solo performance video
- Competition or team placements
- Footage from a full routine
Team fit
- Learning choreography quickly
- Working in unison with a group
- Versatility across styles
- A video learning a new combination if you have one
- Your team and competition experience
- Your tryout availability
College Dance Programs by Level and Team
Division I has the most college dance programs we list (147 of 451). The most are in Texas, Iowa and Kansas. We list 400+ dance coaches you can contact.
How Do You Get a Dance Scholarship?
Get answers about dance scholarship requirements, NCAA divisions, scholarship amounts, and how to get recruited by college dance coaches.
Do colleges offer dance team scholarships?
It varies by college. Dance isn't in the NCAA's roster-limit or scholarship tables, so aid is set by each program. Ask each coach what the team offers. Find dance coaches.
What do dance team coaches want to see?
Strong technique, performance quality and versatility. Send a technique reel and a performance video, and name your styles and training years.
Are dance teams chosen by tryout?
Often, yes. Contact the coach early to learn the audition dates and what to prepare, and ask whether aid is available.
Are men's and women's dance scholarships different?
AthleticScholar lists more than 30 men's and 400 women's college dance programs, and each college decides what aid each team offers. Browse dance colleges.
What are the requirements for a dance scholarship?
There are two parts. To compete in NCAA Division I or II you register with the NCAA Eligibility Center, complete 16 core courses and reach a minimum core GPA, currently 2.3 for Division I and 2.2 for Division II, and standardized test scores are no longer required for initial eligibility. Then a coach decides on an offer from roster needs, budget and what they see in you, starting with your styles, years of training and competition placements. NAIA and NJCAA have their own rules. NCAA Eligibility Center.
Do Division III dance programs offer scholarships?
No. Division III schools cannot award athletic scholarships, and AthleticScholar lists 69 Division III dance programs. Many offer academic merit and need-based aid, and their coaches still recruit dance athletes. Ask each program about aid and talk to the college's financial aid office. Find dance coaches.
Does AthleticScholar give out scholarships?
No. AthleticScholar does not award scholarships or verify which colleges currently have scholarships available. It helps you find college programs and email their coaches so you can ask directly.
Athletic Scholarships in Other Sports
See how scholarships work and which colleges offer them in another sport.
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