Dance Scholarships

Chi Tau Epsilon Scholarship

Recipient must be a full-time sophomore, junior, or senior student by fall, maintain an overall GPA of 3.0, be an active member in good standing of Chi Tau Epsilon, complete the application for "Dances @ 8" and submit a list of community service hours, attend pre-showings for "Dances @ 8", choreograph a piece for "Dances @ 8". Interested individuals request application from: Jennifer Pontius at SHSU Box 2269, Huntsville TX 77341, (936) 294-1300; email: pontius@shsu.edu.

Application deadline: 2 weeks prior to the show.


Dance and Theatre Endowment Scholarship

Scholarships are awarded by a scholarship selection committee consisting of members of the faculty of the Department of Dance and the Theatre Program, with screening and advice from the donors. The guidelines specify that the recipient must be a student with significant need, as well as outstanding talent and/or accomplishment.

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Kelley Barber Endowed Dance Performance Scholarship

Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate student majoring in Dance. GPA requirement is 2.5. Interested individuals contact Jennifer Pontius at Box 2269, Huntsville Tx 77341, (936) 294-1300; pontius@shsu.edu.

Scholarship amount: $1,000 per year   

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Mary S. and G. Scott McCarley Performing Arts Endowed Scholarship

Recipient must be a full-time undergraduate student in good standing; majoring in dance, music, music therapy, theatre, or musical theatre.  GPA of 2.50 is required.

Scholarship amount: $1,000 per year.  

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Marry Ella Montague Endowed Scholarship

This Scholarship was established in honor of Dr. Mary Ella Montague, founder of the dance program and Professor Emeritus in Dance. During her tenure at Sam Houston State University she served as Program Coordinator in Dance, as chair of the Department of Dance, Drama, Radio/Television, Film and Speech, and as Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Scholarship is awarded each year to the outstanding returning Dance Major in the program. The recipient of this award demonstrates exceptional artistic, technical and academic achievement and is an exemplary citizen of the program.

Scholarship amount: $1,000 per year  

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McDonald’s / Dan Leasure Endowed Scholarship

The amount of the scholarship varies per semester. Recipients must be a full time sophomore, junior or senior. Recipients with the following majors will be selected on a rotating schedule: dance, basketball and accounting. Selection preference will be given to a McDonald's employee, who is a full time SHSU sophomore, junior, or senior maintaining not less than an overall 3.0 GPA.

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SHSU Dance and Theatre Endowed Scholarship

Recipients must be full-time students in good standing enrolled at Sam Houston State University, majoring in dance or theatre, be interviewed by the selection committee to discuss his or her educational goals, and demonstrate financial need. GPA requirement is 3.0. 

Scholarship amount: $1,500 per year.  Application deadline: April 1

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Undergraduate Performance Scholarships

Recipient must be a Dance Major and have an overall 2.8 GPA. Also, he/she must exhibit through audition excellent performance skills and fulfill performance responsibilities as assigned.

Scholarship amount: $500 one term, $1000 per year. 

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MFA Scholarships

Performance scholarships from $500.00 to $3,000.00 are available to students who:

  • Demonstrate exceptional dance ability
  • Maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.5 in classes
  • Fulfill all performance assignments
  • Demonstrate commitment to the department through active, voluntary participation in such activities as facilitating auditions, recruitment events, and campus promotional opportunities

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Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Scholarship

Available to students majoring in programs in the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre, Dance, or the School of Music. Must be full-time undergraduate student in good standing enrolled at Sam Houston State University and have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0.  The scholarship is a one-year award. 

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Sophia Mendez Endowed Scholarship

Information coming soon. 

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