Scholarships and Grants
Wake Forest is making special efforts to assure that students from a broad range of family incomes receive the assistance that they need. Student Financial Aid provides full details and guidelines for applying for financial assistance.
Presidential Scholarships
Twenty renewable scholarships of $16,000 each are awarded annually to students admitted to Wake Forest who possess exceptional talents in art, dance, debate, music, and theatre. Though Presidential Scholars need not plan to pursue a major in the area of their talent, they are expected to participate actively in that activity on campus. Interested students must be prepared to present evidence of outstanding talent and are asked by the Presidential Scholarship Committee for documentation of that talent (such as art portfolios, debate records, taped performances, etc.) and recommendations. The program, begun in 1987, further diversifies the interests and abilities of a campus and student body already rich in both. Presidential Scholars with interest in dance, music, and/or theatre are given preference for an internship with the Secrest Artists Series. Preference will be given to applicants who apply by November 15. Applications received past November 15 will be considered as talent areas allow. Finalists will be contacted by the beginning of March. Winners are notified in late March.
Additional scholarships as well as work/study assignments are available through the Department of Theatre and Dance.
Dyeann & Henry Jordan Scholarship
Through the generosity of Dyeann and Henry Jordan, a fund to support scholarships for theatre majors was established in 1988. Scholarships up to $2,500 each are offered annually for junior and senior theatre majors, based on merit. The junior scholarship may be renewed if all requirements continue to be met at the discretion of the committee, upon the request for renewal by the applicant.
Considerations for the scholarship include:
• Focus and commitment to theatre
• Service to the theatre
• Excellence of character
• Exceptional artistic and intellectual achievements in the theatre
• 2.5 minimum GPA in all theatre courses attempted
• 2.0 minimum overall GPA
Recipients who are applying for consideration for renewal are required to submit a report to the committee detailing the work which the student has undertaken during the year and describing how the scholarship has facilitated this work. In addition, an outline of future plans should also be included and how the renewed scholarship would specifically aid those plans.
Johnnie Collins III Drama Scholarship
From a generous bequest from Johnnie Collins III, this scholarship will be awarded annually to a student in the spring of his or her freshman year. The scholarship will be presented to the student “judged to show the most promise for succeeding in the professional entertainment field, as opposed to educational or amateur theatre.”
Harold C. Tedford Travel Award
This scholarship is awarded to a rising Junior or Senior Theatre major in recognition of excellence in service and achievement in the area of producing theatrical activities involving performance, writing or history and demonstrating the following qualities: Initiative, Creativity, Innovation, Inspiration, Leadership, Collaboration, Involvement, Service, Vision, Joy.
The award is intended to be used for travel by the student and may be applied to the cost of departmental sponsored trips (London or NY) or may be given in cash for this purpose at the discretion of the award committee.
The funds for this award are given in honor of Dr. Harold C. Tedford in appreciation of his years of dedication, inspiration, and service to the Wake Forest University Theatre.
Expectations of students who receive scholarships
Students receiving scholarships or other funding are expected to remain active in and contribute to our programs and activities. To this end, we expect all scholars to:
• Attend official departmental events including performances, workshops, guest lectures, master classes, receptions, etc.
• Take on a major production responsibility each semester;
• Attend mainstage workcalls and strikes;
• To represent the department in official social circumstances, including meeting with prospective students and parents;
• To maintain ongoing contact with the department through our weekly meetings and contact with a mentor. Mentors are initially assigned by the department. Students are encouraged to select a mentor for future semesters from among the faculty and staff of the department.
Morgan Judd Foundation Scholarship
The Morgan Judd Foundation is excited to announce that our Scholarship Program for the 2024-25 academic year is now open! The application is for a $5,000 scholarship award for deserving students that embody the three pillars of the Morgan Judd Foundation – Dance, Education and Service. Applicants should have demonstrated financial need.
Morgan was a talented dancer, who passed away in December of her freshman year. Her family created a foundation with a focus on scholarships for aspiring dancer-scholars.
The online application can be found here. The deadline for submitting the online application is June 8, 2024.