<p>Jacksonville University does offer a BFA in musical theatre from their music department and they also offer the William J. Porter Honors Scholarship, which is a competitive full ride scholarship. To be considered for the full ride scholarship one must first be selected to the Honors Program (fairly common for any competitive full ride). They select 25 new students each year to the Honors Program. To be considered for the Honors Program you must have a 3.5 cumulative high school GPA and a combined SAT score of 1220 (Critical Reading and Math) or ACT Composite score of 27. In addition, you must be a first-time freshman upon fall entrance to Jacksonville University. Finalist candidates are invited to interview. </p>
<p>Not technically related to this full-ride topic but worth mentioning this. For parents of kids who receive âhonorsâ scholarships or designations, ask a lot of questions about coursework requirements. My S at Pace received honors scholarship there, which REQUIRES enrollment in a certain number of honors courses each semester. My S at Rider received a merit scholarship and an honors program invitation (his scholarship is NOT tied to enrollment in the honors program). Rider S took the honors courses freshman year but dropped the program in favor of adding 2nd major and focusing on performing. There was A LOT of extra writing and reading for those honors classes, and since his aid wasnât tied to taking those classes, he opted out. Pace S does not have that choice; to keep his scholarship he has to stick with it. So far it has been manageable, but you need to have these discussions with the school and with your kids about the kind of academic class workload they can handle amid a rigorous BFA performing schedule (when other classmates may not have the same academic requirements). Before committing, Pace S and I spoke with the head of the honors college and the director of the MT program at Pace about their experiences with honors/MT students â since there are a handful every year. Thankfully, we were convinced enough to dive in head first. Every school will be different â just ASK a lot of questions. </p>
<p>My daughter is in the same boat as your son @MTTwinsinCA She must keep a 3.6 GPA and attend honors courses to keep her scholarship. Tough to do when you are performing etcâŠ.</p>
<p>Good point, @MTTwinsinCA. Ask about those honors colleges. Sometimes there are great financial benefits, but often NOT and what you get is more academic work and bragging rights (and maybe a few other perks that you have to decide are worth it or not). Not knocking kids who want more academic challenges - more power to them - but I know more than one MT (my D included) who chose not to apply to/accept honors colleges because of the long hours/lack of sleep that often goes with being an MT major. </p>
<p>As to retaining honors college/program eligibility, be sure to talk to your theatre department folks. S thought he was going to have to drop out of honors college at WSU b/c of âone honors class per semesterâ requirement. In first semester of MT BFA NONE of the honors classes fit into his required MT schedule, and didnât look like it would get any better moving forward. After individual face-to-face meeting (how many of your kids think EVERYTHING can be accomplished online or via text??) he found out that honors requirements are âdifferentâ for theatre kids. He basically only needs to do a senior project related to his major to keep that status - can be research, or production of some kind, writing a piece, etc. Of course it would be nice to actually be able to partake of the offerings in honors program. . .</p>
<p>I agree with @MTTwinsinCA that you should ask lots of questions about the stipulations behind honors scholarships, so that you know what you are getting into, before you accept an honors scholarships. They do come with expectations. </p>
<p>It is true, honors MT students are âcompetingâ with other MT classmates who wonât have the same rigorous academic requirements that they have. Therefore, the non-honors MT student wonât have to devote the same amount of time to their academic studies. And I suppose it is possible that this difference could have a negative impact on the honors BFA studentâs MT opportunities. </p>
<p>However, an honors BFA student has to balance their concern about the negative impact that meeting the requirements for the honors scholarship might have, with the fact that they are receiving a scholarship. </p>
<p>If a student can pay for their MT education without the honors scholarship or has other scholarships that donât have these academic expectations, they might consider forgoing the honors scholarship so that they can focus more on the MT side of their education. But if they need the honors scholarship money to pay for their education, they may have to make that sacrifice. </p>
<p>And consider this, if a student doesnât have enough money to pay for their education, they are probably going to have to get a job. I would suggest to them that instead of working all those hours at a job, why not get paid to take honors classes and spend those hours that you would be working at a job studying to do well in the honors classes? After all, students have to take the gen ed classes anyway, sure they might be a little harder than the regular gen eds, but they are taught by the best profs the college has and you are surrounded by peers who want to learn. </p>
<p>Some honors scholarships require you to do community service hours, but even those hours can often be dovetailed into projects that incorporate your major, such as doing a childrenâs theatre workshop. </p>
<p>And @mom4bwayboy I totally get what you are saying about kids who think EVERYTHING can be accomplished online or via text. I had a child in college who would not do anything face to face. It was frustrating to me, but we got through it. </p>
<p>By the way, similar to WSU, the honors program at Western Illinois University (WIU) allows students in their BFA MT program to use their BFA Senior Project as their required honors capstone project. So the honors capstone project isnât something tacked onto their already heavy schedule. WIU states on their website that they have an established honors curriculum in their BFA Musical Theatre degree program that students may qualify for if they qualify for the University Honors program. And WIU offers significant scholarship money to honors students. </p>
<p>Oklahoma City University (OCU) offers a full tuition scholarship to National Merit Finalists. OU does as well, and the great thing about OUâs scholarship is that it can be used for up to 10 semesters (at least that is what their literature said last year. So it can even be used for some graduate study, or if you are on the five year undergraduate program then you will have the fifth year tuition covered. I donât know if that is still the case - it is important to check the website. There is a list on College Confidential of schools that offer NM finalists good scholarships; if your child has a chance at that, you can cross-reference with theater schools.</p>
<p>OU refers to Oklahoma State University, not Oakland University - sorry if that was confusing!!!</p>
<p>@momto3g - I believe OU is Oklahoma University. They have an entire school devoted to MT. I donât think OSU or Oklahoma State University has an MT program to speak of. OCU is Oklahoma City University and it has a fantastic MT program.</p>
Curious if there is any new info for this thread? Any new programs or new scholarships out there to share for next yearâs students? Wouldnât it be great to see this list grow? (Again with my wishful thinkingâŠ)
Rockford University has a Presidential Scholarship which is full tuition - 10 per year.
3.65 minimum gpa, 29 minimum ACT.
Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida has a BFA in Musical Theatre and a full ride scholarship.
"Hollingsworth Scholarship
Full tuition and fees, room and board, and funds for travel
Recognizing some of the nationâs top students, these coveted awards cover the full cost of tuition and fees, room, meals, and books for four years, and provide a travel stipend to underwrite the cost of an international travel-study experience. Awarded to first-year students and renewable each year, these scholarships are valued at more than $170,000 over four years.
The Hollingsworth Scholarship is competitive and application is by invitation only. A committee composed of distinguished faculty will interview each finalist, selecting students based on their academic promise, leadership potential, character, and future goals. To be considered, candidates must obtain at minimum a 3.5 GPA in a rigorous college preparatory curriculum and a 1290 SAT (combined Critical Reading and Math) or a 29 ACT. In addition, you should submit evidence of exceptional academic achievement in a demanding college preparatory curriculum, show school and community involvement, exhibit a strong work ethic, and reflect leadership potential and a desire to succeed.
Applications are due by January 15. Finalists will be notified by January 21 and invited to interview with the Hollingsworth Scholarship interview committee during one of the Scholars Weekends."
Shorter University in Rome, Georgia has a BFA in Musical Theatre and a full ride scholarship.
The J. Robert and Hazel B. Eubanks Scholarship provides tuition, room, and board for incoming freshmen to attend Shorter University in Rome, Ga. for eight semesters. To qualify for the scholarship, a student must hold at least a 3.75 grade point average and a 1300 SAT (in critical reading and math) or 28 ACT score. Scholarship recipients must then maintain a 3.5 cumulative grade point average at Shorter.
You might check out the Clara Luper Scholarship program at OCU:
The scholarship is offered to students from under-represented populations, who demonstrate need through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). These scholars mature in leadership roles and are actively involved on campus. Annual retention rates for these scholars are more than 90 percent.
After all federal and state grants have been applied, the Clara Luper Scholarship will cover up to:
The remaining tuition up to the block pricing structure of 12-16 credit hours**
Standard room (Walker, Banning, Draper and Smith)***
Standard meal plan (Plan D)
Miami University in Oxford, Ohio has a BA in Theatre with a minor in Musical Theatre and a full ride scholarship.
Benjamin Harrison Scholarship. This scholarship program for incoming freshmen provides four-year renewable awards covering either tuition and fees or tuition and fees plus on-campus room and board. Harrison Scholar candidates typically achieve between a 33-36 ACT or over, between 1470-1600 SAT I score, rank in the top 1-3% of their class, and have strong records of extracurricular involvement. For more information about the Harrison Scholarship, including the Harrison Scholarship application, visit the Honors Web site at www.muohio.edu/honors.
The University of Louisiana at Monroe has a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in musical theatre. They also have an almost full ride scholarship (see below).
Presidentâs Distinguished Award
Eligibility:
32-36 ACT
1410-1600 SAT
GPA: 3.75-4.0
Award:
Full Tuition and Fees
$5,000 Housing
iPad
Study Abroad Opportunity
(up to $4,500)
Indiana University/Purdue University in Fort Wayne (IPFW) offers a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with the opportunity to concentrate in musical theatre. It also offers a full ride scholarship (see below).
Chapman Scholars Program
A Full-Ride, Four Year Education
The Chapman Scholars Program is one of the premier competitive, merit-based scholarships in Indiana. It is recognized for combining civic engagement opportunities with outstanding scholarship options.
About the Program
The Chapman Scholars Program selects four incoming freshmen who are distinguished as high achievers in and out of the classroom each year. Chapman Scholars receive tuition, fees, room and board, and textbooks for four years. The program develops engaged scholars who understand that civic engagement is key to personal growth as well as the growth and strength of a community.
By providing Chapman Scholars the opportunity to study and live at IPFW, Chapman Scholars are actively engaged in challenging coursework, experiential learning, leadership development and civic engagement throughout their university experience.
To be eligible for the Chapman Scholars Program, you mustâŠ
Submit your application to IPFW by December 15
Fulfill the requirements for an Academic Honors or Core 40 Diploma (Indiana students) or a college preparatory curriculum (out-of-state students)
Have an SAT score of 1950 or ACT of 29 and grade point average of 3.5 (or higher) on a 4.0 scale OR an SAT score of 2100 or ACT of 32 without consideration of grade point average
Be invited to take part in the Summit Scholars Competition
Submit your Summit Scholars application by 8:00 AM on January 18, 2016.
The application form will be sent via email to all eligible candidates in December 2015 and January 2016.
Participate in the Summit Scholars Competition on Saturday, February 13, 2016.
Itâs been a year since this topic has been posted on â two things on your list are either not correct of have changed. My daughter goes to Belmont University and is in the MT Program. They do not offer any MT scholarships at all so my daughter uses her Academic scholarship and 8,000 is the maximum I have heard anyone get. They talk about the fact they do not have the large endowment that other schools have. Then about U of Texas: they have done away with their MT Program and only offer a Theater Program. My daughter got into the Theater Program last year but is a singer so she went to Belmont. UT still has the class one year older than my daughter graduating with MT Degrees but they quit offering it for the freshman class of 2015. We live a lot closer to UT than Belmont so this was a big bummer for us at the time.
Belmont does still have full-ride scholarships, but they are only offered to a few students and are extremely competitive. They also award Faculty scholarships worth $15,000/year to approximately 125 freshman each year. Iâm not sure whether the music scholarships can be stacked with these.
http://www.belmont.edu/sfs/scholarships/merit.html
TCU- Texas Christian University