Financial Aid

Undergraduate Scholarships

Creative and Performing Arts Scholarships (CAPA) Financial awards equivalent to full in-state tuition and mandatory fees are given to outstanding Theatre majors for academic excellence and exceptional performance or design/production skills. For qualifying students, these scholarships may be renewed up to eight semesters. Scholarships are awarded to fall incoming Theatre majors at the Scholarship Audition Day held in the previous spring semester. To learn more, view the current Information Page and Audition Application. All students who have been accepted to the University of Maryland as a declared Theatre major may participate; students who have not received a letter offering admission from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions may apply and may be invited to participate, based on the strength of their application packet. CAPA awards may also be made to students currently in the program during a fall semester audition.

Smith Family Excellence in Theatre Award (SETA) Financial awards equivalent to full in-state tuition and mandatory fees are given to outstanding Theatre majors for academic excellence and exceptional performance or design/production skills. Scholarships are auditioned to current students in the fall semester. Awards are for one year, but may be renewed for a second.

Theatre Patrons Fund & Departmental Scholarship Awards These $2,000 grants are awarded to full-time students active in the theatre program. Awards are based on service to the Department. Awards are granted on a semester basis; the number varies upon the financial circumstances of each fund.

Graduate Assistantships Fellowships

The Department of Theatre is committed to fully funding all graduate students accepted into its programs and makes every effort to meet that goal. If you are requesting financial aid, check the appropriate box on the application form and note this in your statement of goals, research interests, and experience.

Financial Aid is available to graduate students in three forms: fellowships, assistantships, and loans.

Fellowships
Some types of financial aid for outstanding students, such as the Flagship Fellowship program sponsored by the Graduate School, must be applied for by the Department of Theatre on your behalf.  To be considered for these special awards, we recommend you complete the application process by December 15^th.

Fellowships can provide full time funding for up to two years and includes:

• Stipends of $18,827 - $21,106 paid 50% at the start of fall and winter terms.
• Tuition waivers (tuition remission) for 10 hrs course credit in fall term; 4 hrs course credit in January term, and 10 hrs course credit in spring term.
• A supplement of 50% on student health insurance.

Half fellowships and summer research fellowships are also offered as supplements to other forms of funding.

Assistantships
Assistantships can provide full time funding for up to three years for MFA students and up to four years for PhDs. Full assistantships require 20 hrs/week of work and include:

• Stipends of $18,827 - $21,106 paid bi-weekly.
• Tuition waivers (tuition remission) for 10 hrs course credit in fall term; 4 hrs course credit in January term, and 10 hrs course credit in spring term.
• A supplement of 80% on employee health insurance.

Half assistantships (10 hrs of work per week) are also offered as supplements to other forms of funding.

Loans
Loans are arranged through the Office of Financial Aid and can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Please visit their web site for criteria and deadlines.