City of San Diego Fee Waivers

The City's Low-Income Fee Waiver Program is available to all who qualify. More details about how to get verified and enrolled for Spring can be found here in both English (click here) and in Spanish (click here). For those needing to get verified, we highly recommend that you come out to us on Saturday, December 14 from 10am - 2pm at the War Memorial Building (3325 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park). Please note that EVERYONE must be reverified at this time and that your verification will then be valid through Civic Dance Arts' Fall 2025 Semester.

SDCDA Merit Scholarships
All Applications are open now and the final date to apply is January 27, 2025. SDCDA Offers the following Merit Scholarships:

Lori Allyn Groves Memorial Scholarship
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Eligible Applicants: Youth Recreation Level Dancers, T-Troupe Members, Company Members

Purpose of the fund:

To be a continual living memorial of Lori Allyn Groves, former student, performer and dance instructor in the San Diego Civic Dance Arts program who was killed in an auto accident on Sunday, July 21, 1985, at the age of 21.

To provide scholarship stipends for dance instruction for San Diego Civic Dance Arts members who have demonstrated exemplary interest, attendance, cooperation and dedication to their dance studies.

Classifications of Eligibility:
Members of the San Diego Civic Dance Arts may apply if they meet the following minimum requirements:

Student has been enrolled in the San Diego Civic Dance Arts for at least one full year and is between the ages of 8 and 19.

They have maintained a 90% attendance record with minimal to zero tardiness all year round for their entire enrollment in the San Diego Civic Dance Arts. Students have demonstrated a dedication to and involvement with the program as well as leadership qualities within the program that go above and beyond regular class attendance.

Eligibility for any SDCDA scholarship requires applicant and their immediate family be in good financial standing with the San Diego Civic Dance Association, Inc. and the San Diego Civic Dance Arts Program.

Esther Feier Memorial Scholarship
Apply Here
Eligible Applicants: Civic Dance Company Members who are High School Juniors

Purpose of the fund:

To be a continual living memorial of Esther Feier, passionate advocate of the arts, equal rights and education, who passed away after a long full life, September 20th, 2014.

To support and encourage higher education and facilitate the drive for excellence, a passion of Esther Feier’s.

To provide scholarship stipends for higher education preparation and exploration for San Diego Civic Dance Company members who have demonstrated exemplary passion, involvement and dedication to their dance and education studies.

Classifications of Eligibility:

High School Juniors who are exploring the possibilities of higher education.

Must be a member of San Diego Civic Dance Company and enrolled in the San Diego Civic Dance Arts program for the last two consecutive years.

Must have committed to continuing with San Diego Civic Dance Company through their Senior Year.

Must have demonstrated a passion for arts, San Diego Civic Dance and an interest in pursuing higher education.

Must not have been an Esther Feier Memorial Scholarship Recipient in the past year.

Eligibility for any SDCDA scholarship requires applicant and their immediate family members to be in good financial standing with the San Diego Civic Dance Association, Inc. and the San Diego Civic Dance Arts Program.

Bonnie Ward Scholarship
Apply Here
Eligible Applicants: Civic Dance Company Members who are High School Seniors

Purpose of the fund:

To encourage higher education and promote dance excellence, as always encouraged by Bonnie Ward.

To provide scholarship stipends for dance instruction and higher education for San Diego Civic Dance Company members who have demonstrated exemplary interest, attendance, cooperation and dedication to their dance studies.

Classifications of Eligibility:

Graduating High School Seniors and Post High School Graduates** of one year may apply if they meet the following minimum requirements.

Must be a member of San Diego Civic Dance Company.

Must have been enrolled in the San Diego Civic Dance Arts for the last three consecutive years.

Must have maintained a 90% attendance record with minimal to zero tardiness all year round for those years.

Must have demonstrated interest in the San Diego Civic Dance Arts by having cooperated with instructors, staff, fellow students, and volunteers, as well as having shown a dedication to dance.

Must have demonstrated Company leadership and mentoring qualities and involvement in the San Diego Civic Dance Arts program over and above the basic contract commitment of San Diego Civic Dance Company.

Must not have been a Bonnie Ward Scholarship Recipient in the past year.

Eligibility for any SDCDA scholarship requires applicant and their immediate family be in good financial standing with the San Diego Civic Dance Association, Inc. and the San Diego Civic Dance Arts Program.

**Please note: Applicants for the Post High School Graduate Scholarship(s) will be required to attach a certified copy of their grading report from the college or university attended commencing the fall after high school graduation, along with current proof of enrollment and carrying a minimum of nine (9) units with a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).

Dorothy Jones Memorial Scholarship
Apply Here
Eligible Applicants: Adult Recreation Level Dancers, Young Adult Ensemble Members, Adult Ensemble Members

Purpose of the fund:

To be a continual living memorial of Dorothy “Dottie” Jones, performer, dance instructor and passionate dance advocate in the San Diego Civic Dance Arts program who passed away after a long full life, Sept 25th, 2011.

To provide scholarship stipends for dance instruction for San Diego Civic Dance Arts Adult members who have demonstrated exemplary interest, attendance, cooperation and dedication to their dance studies.

Classifications of Eligibility:
Adult members of the San Diego Civic Dance Arts may apply if they meet the following minimum requirements:

Student has been enrolled in the San Diego Civic Dance Arts for at least one full year and is age 20 +.

They have maintained a 90% attendance record with minimal to zero tardiness all year round for their entire enrollment in the San Diego Civic Dance Arts.

Students have demonstrated a dedication to and involvement with the program as well as leadership qualities within the program that go above and beyond regular class attendance.

Eligibility for any SDCDA scholarship requires applicant and their immediate family members to be in good financial standing with the San Diego Civic Dance Association, Inc. and the San Diego Civic Dance Arts Program.

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