Program Fees & Scholarships

Program Tuition

The School makes every effort to keep dancer costs to a minimum. As a result, the program tuition fees charged are a fraction of the actual program costs.

Program tuition fees below include: tuition, room and board, access to the Jacob’s Pillow Archives, admission to Festival performances, talks, and special events, and a non-refundable $250 services fee.

• $1,950 for Contemporary Ballet
• $2,750 for Contemporary
• $1,450 for Creating in Jazz
• $2,750 for Tap Dance
• Scholarships are available to support tuition. See below.
• Choreography Fellowship program financial information is located here.

Payments and Refund Policy

• Fee balances must be paid in full by invoice due date, and no later than three weeks prior to program start date.
• Refunds are only granted for medical conditions and require a physician’s note: 80% if withdrawal notification is received by three weeks prior to arrival date; 60% by one week prior to arrival date; 30% by the third program day; and none possible thereafter.

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Jacob’s Pillow Scholarship Awards

For Programs Held at the Pillow: Ballet, Contemporary, Creating in Jazz, Tap Dance

The School at Jacob’s Pillow is committed to awarding Jacob’s Pillow Scholarship Awards to accepted dancers with demonstrated financial need to make their attendance possible. To help as many dancers as possible in 2025, most Jacob’s Pillow Scholarship Awards will be partial awards.

• All dancers, international and U.S., are eligible to apply for scholarships.
• Applications are reviewed need-blind which means that requesting a scholarship in no way impacts acceptance determinations.
• Scholarship Application must be submitted with your Program Application.
• You can find a Scholarship Application within every Program Application.

Applying for Scholarship Awards

• If you are a dependent, all financial information provided must be for your parent/guardian(s).
• If you need any assistance, contact [email protected].
• Be prepared to include the following in your Program Application:
  • Statement of Need – up to 500 words suggested, yet we understand circumstances applicable to your situation may require more than 500 words. 

• • • Describe your current financial situation and why financial aid is necessary
    • Provide clear and accurate information about your current income and/or employment
    • List previous scholarships, awards, and/or financial aid received
  • Proof of Income

• • • Federal Tax Form, 2023 or 2024, page one only, for yourself, or your parent/guardian.
    • If exempt from filing, or a non-U.S. resident, combine earning statements for July, October, and December 2024 into one PDF document.
  • Support Documentation
    • Combine evidence that substantiates your Written Statement of Need into one PDF document. Examples are: child care invoices, debt counseling statements, financial aid records, food stamp registration, hospital invoices, rental agreements, scholarship award copies, tuition payment record, etc.

Named Scholarship Awards

Named Scholarship Awards, described below, are assigned to dancers with complete and compelling applications who meet the criteria outlined for the award.

The Lorna Strassler Award for Student Excellence

One dancer accepted to attend either the Contemporary Ballet, Contemporary, Creating in Jazz, or Tap Dance will receive the 2025 Lorna Strassler Award for Student Excellence Award. The award provides material support and career encouragement in the form of a $2,500 cash gift, plus a tuition reimbursement. Established in 2004 by former Pillow board member Lorna Strassler and her husband, recipients must be able to demonstrate performance excellence and exemplary dedication to the field.

To be considered, submit your best application. When all 2025 programs conclude, eligible candidates are determined by a separate review process. Awardees are notified by The School Director and presentation of the award is announced the following year.

“It’s our hope that this award will make a difference in the lives of those who receive it.” — Lorna Strassler

The Marcia Simon Kaplan Scholarship

One full scholarship will be awarded to a current New World School of the Arts student to attend one of following programs: Contemporary Ballet, Contemporary, Creating in Jazz, or Tap Dance. Jacob’s Pillow will consider all eligible applicants for this award during the final application review process. Indicate that you are an NWSA current student or alumni in the application.

The American Dance Guild | Jacob’s Pillow Scholarship

One full scholarship will be awarded to a dancer accepted to the Creating in Jazz program. Jacob’s Pillow will consider all eligible applicants for this award during the application review process. American Dance Guild membership required; americandanceguild.org.