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The audition stage

Once you've decided which course you want to apply for and which school you want to go to, contact them to apply for an audition, telling them that you want to apply for an award. The school may send you an application form to complete and return to the school.

As demand for this type of training is high, contact the school that you've chosen well in advance to make sure your application will be considered.

Dance and Drama Awards are given to the students who show the most talent at the audition stage, regardless of their financial circumstances.

If you've applied before

Once you've accepted a Dance and Drama Award, you won't be able to apply again except in very rare circumstances - so it’s important to make sure you've chosen the right school and course before accepting.

If you've received an Award before and you're applying again, you must inform the school you're applying to and tell them why. A second Award is only given in exceptional cases, so it's unlikely that your application will be successful unless you were forced to stop your previous training through no fault of your own - for example, through illness or injury.

You won't be able to apply for a second Award if you’ve completed the course for which you got your first Award, or if the first and second Awards combined would last for more than four years.

You can still apply for a Dance and Drama Award if you've already had another form of financial help to do a further or higher education course.

Applying for help with fees and living costs

When you apply for a Dance and Drama Award, the school you're applying to should also send you an application form for help with living costs.

You'll have to apply every year for additional help as the rates change. If you do receive some extra money, it will be split into three payments which you'll receive at the beginning of each term.

If you disagree with a decision

If you have been unsuccessful in applying for an award, you may want to appeal. You will need to write to the school you applied to for an explanation of their decision.

You may still be allowed to study at the school or college of your choice even if you do not receive a Dance or Drama Award, but you will have to pay the tuition fees yourself. However, you may be entitled to financial help by applying for a career development loan if you're over 18.

If you do receive an Award but you think you should get more help with your living costs, you will need to appeal to the Learner Support Service who assess all claims for help with living costs. Contact them in writing to ask them to review your calculation.

• Contact Learner Support Services (Dance and Drama Award Scheme)

Applying if you're disabled

If you're disabled, you may be entitled to extra financial help.

• More education and training information for disabled people

Further information

This information is also available in a booklet that you can download in PDF format.

If you have any further queries about the scheme, contact the Dance and Drama Awards helpdesk.

• Contact the Dance and Drama Award helpdesk
• Download Dance and Drama Awards Guide (PDF, 982K)
• Help with PDF files