DOLLARS and SENSE Professors and Other Experts Share Advice on Financing Your Theatre Degree
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DOLLARS AND SENSE Professors and Other Experts Share Advice on Financing Your Theatre Degree by Amy Cuomo Most performing arts students have heard that when it comes to theatre, the real work is getting the job. Just as an actor must audition to get a part, those seeking to finance their education have to invest time and energy to reach their goal. This past summer, Southern Theatre surveyed SETC members affiliated with colleges, See list of Muniversities and training programs and asked them to share financial aid advice for the- scholarships atre students, as well as information on scholarships at their schools. In addition, Southern at schools that Theatre asked admissions directors and financial aid directors to share tips for students. participated The challenges that students face begin long before they step on campus. One of the big- in the SETC survey at gest mistakes that Steven Roten, a theatre professor at Meredith College in North Carolina, www.setc.org/ sees is that sometimes students don’t have their financial plans in order before school starts. scholarship-list “I have had students who have to figure out how they are going to pay tuition each and every semester,” Roten said. “This adds a great amount of stress to the student and keeps them on a shifting foundation that makes them question the permanence of their education.” Part of the problem for many students and their parents is that college is expensive, and the financial aid process can be overwhelming. A key to success is to make the time to educate yourself. Fortunately, there are many resources that can help. From government websites to video tutorials, there is a plethora of information on the financial aid process provided by experts in the field. Studentaid.gov details comprehensive information regarding federal student aid, and it publishes a “College Preparation Checklist” that explains the different types of financial assistance and includes a timeline to map your progress. The website also incorporates facts and figures for those who wish to go to graduate school and for Steven Roten adult learners returning to college. For more specific suggestions related to financing your Meredith College theatre education, college and university theatre professors can supply valuable advice. DO FAFSA AND APPLICATIONS EARLY Crook, an associate professor and executive director At most colleges, universities and training pro- of the Etherredge Center at the University of South grams, the first step you should take toward financing Carolina Aiken, recommends contacting “the admis- your education is to fill out the Free Application for sions office to find a list ofall scholarships for which Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) – and the sooner the you might qualify.” better, to ensure you have the greatest chance to secure And Deborah Martin, chair of the theatre depart- assistance. The FAFSA is required for a student to ment at Berea College in Kentucky, says you should receive federal grants, loans and work-study. Whether not be afraid to ask questions “of the chair, your aca- your family expects to apply for federal aid or not, demic advisor, your admissions counselor, etc. Don’t Megan Speth you should fill out the FAFSA. assume that your question is insignificant. Make it Mary Baldwin University “While some families may not necessarily qualify your job to read your email every day and respond for federal funding, many colleges and universities when necessary.” use FAFSA information in scholarship and other CONSIDER THE COSTS institutional funding decisions,” said Megan Speth, Knowing how much money you will need for the director of financial aid at Mary Baldwin University school of your dreams can help you plan. CollegeCalc. in Virginia. org includes an analysis of each college’s tuition com- Generally, the sooner you fill out the FAFSA and pared to the national average and estimates the cost begin applying to the schools that are of interest to of housing, books, supplies and other living expenses. you, the better your chance of receiving aid. It also reveals the average aid amount provided “Many scholarships are determined early,” noted to students by colleges and universities. However, Eric van Baars, an associate professor and director some universities with expensive sticker prices can Eric van Baars of the School of Theatre and Dance at Kent State provide large aid packages, so keep in mind that the Kent State University University in Ohio. dollar amounts listed on CollegeCalc.org are based As you navigate the process of applying, Paul on average awards. Your award could be greater or Winter 2021 x Southern Theatre x 25 Reprinted with permission from the Winter 2021 issue of Southern Theatre, the magazine of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (www.setc.org) those add up quickly,” he said. “Even at the more prestigious schools, remember that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. While a program may seem fantastic and have tons of exciting alumni, no program is perfect for everyone. You are looking to find the right fit for you.” Public institutions usually are less Paul Crook Heather McMahon Carrie Klofach Tom Burch expensive than private ones, although University of South Maryville College Milligan University University of North private schools sometimes offer substantial Carolina Aiken Carolina at Charlotte scholarships that bring the costs more in smaller depending on your circumstances. opportunities because you assumed you line with public school tuition. Professors “Don’t be put off by the sticker price,” couldn’t afford it,” she said. “Your financial at two-year institutions note that starting said Heather McMahon, a professor of aid package will look different at every out at a community college, where tuition theatre at Maryville College in Tennessee. school.” is lower, and transferring to a four-year “Apply and wait for offers so that you can In looking at the cost of attendance, stu- institution as a junior may also cut educa- compare the actual cost of each institution dents need to realize that tuition is just one tion costs. you are considering.” component, noted Tom Burch, an associate “Research community colleges in the Carrie Klofach, an assistant professor of professor of scenic design at the University area and get your first two years done musical theatre at Milligan University in of North Carolina at Charlotte. [there],” suggested Jessica Gaffney, chair Tennessee, also noted that students should “While tuition may look like a ‘good of theatre at Cape Fear Community College not eliminate schools before seeing their deal,’ many students/families fail to in North Carolina. “Knock out all of your individual aid packages. adequately estimate the proper cost of general education courses [in community “Don’t miss out on some financial aid housing/food/books/fees/materials, and college].” 26 x Southern Theatre x Winter 2021 Because living expenses can add sig- major tuition discounts. Most schools offer are offered. Your letter will also note the nificantly to the cost of college, staying at some kind of financial aid for students that expected family contribution (EFC). Do not home and attending community college transfer into the program, but whether or hesitate to seek guidance in understanding for the first two years can save students not it’s going to be a better bargain in the the award letter and your total cost. and their families a substantial amount of long run is likely determined case by case.” Your letter may include grants and money. Also, some community colleges In addition to researching the costs of scholarships, which do not have to be maintain transfer agreements with four- institutions, consider your own financial repaid, as well as options for federal loans year institutions so that the credits earned situation in making a decision about and work-study. Any costs not covered by while attending the two-year school can be whether a school is right for you. this aid will have to be paid out of pocket. applied to the bachelor’s degree. “Have realistic conversations as a family The best kind of aid, of course, is money While that can be a good option for about what is financially reasonable and that does not have to be repaid: grants many students, it may not be right for all. At what isn’t,” recommended Jacob Browne, and scholarships. Some grants, such as some schools, entering as a junior can make director of admissions at Eckerd College in Pell grants, are federal awards based on a difference in scholarship availability, said Florida. “Keep your options open in case income, while others may be awarded to Marty Lynch, an associate professor of your ‘dream school’ does not work out people pursuing certain careers or meeting theatre at Eureka College in Illinois. financially.” other criteria. “If you absolutely need financial aid, UNDERSTAND THE TYPES OF AID SCORE A SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP you are probably looking at affordable two- After a student is accepted at a college Scholarships at institutions are typically year programs as well, with the intention of or university, the institution will provide based on financial need or upon merit. transferring into a four-year program down an award letter that outlines the financial Standardized test scores and grade point the road,” Lynch said. “Some scholarships aid package offered to the student. Award averages are often factors in the award of are only available to incoming freshmen. letters vary from institution to institution merit-based scholarships. If you transfer in as a junior with an AA but generally provide an estimated cost of “Our university offers students merit [degree], you may wind up missing out on attendance (COA) and any aid that you awards as soon as they apply,” said Michele ROCK THE BARD MLitt/MFA in Shakespeare & Performance at Mary Baldwin in partnership with the American Shakespeare Center www.marybaldwin.edu/shakespeare A RENAISSANCE EDUCATION IN RENAISSANCE DRAMA Winter 2021 x Southern Theatre x 27 Pagen, a professor of theatre at California design at the University of Tennessee, University of Pennsylvania.