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Scholarships
Current students’ funding sources
Learn more about scholarships and other funding opportunities that are available to current students through YSU, the YSU Foundation, and the Cliffe College of Creative Arts. Applications open on October 1 each year, and the deadline for scholarships awarded through the Cliffe College of Creative Arts is February 8 at 11:59 AM EST.
University Theatre scholarships
Theatre-specific scholarships are available on a competitive basis. One audition—at the time of admission to the department—suffices for theatre scholarship consideration. No application is required to continue your scholarship. See Scholarship Policies below.
Theatre scholarships are in addition to those awarded by the YSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. YSU offers awards based on academic achievement and financial need.
To be considered for as many YSU, YSU Foundation, and Cliffe College scholarships as possible, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information about non-music related scholarships, grants, or loans, contact the YSU Financial Aid Office at 330.941.3505 or ysufinaid@ysu.edu.
DR. CHESTER AND MARILYN AMEDIA SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship was established in 2022 by Dr. Chester (Chet) and Marilyn (Mara) Amedia, a 1970 Youngstown State University graduate, to encourage students to gain a broad-based appreciation of science and the arts. Mara studied English and Art and graduated with a B.S. in Education. She and Chet were active in theater and met on-stage while he attended YSU in 1967-68. They were married in 1970 and returned to Youngstown after spending 11 years at medical school and in the U.S. Army, respectively. After returning, Chet was active in medical education, and Mara was involved in participating and promoting both the fine and performing arts. An eligible student for this scholarship will be an undergraduate enrolled in a major in STEM or CCCA with a minimum 3.3 GPA. This scholarship is open to both full-time and part-time applicants.
DR. ROBERT L. TORNELLO ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN THEATER PERFORMANCE
The Dr. Robert L. Tornello Endowed Scholarship in Theater Performance is awarded to a student who is working towards their Bachelor of Fine and Performing Arts degree with an emphasis in theater performance. Selection is made by a scholarship committee of the theater department in conjunction with the YSU Foundation.
FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS DEAN'S SCHOLARSHIP
The Fine and Performing Arts Dean's Scholarship will be given each year to three outstanding seniors.
GINA TENNEY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Gina Tenney Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore YSU student majoring in fine arts or the humanities. The recipient must demonstrate involvement in extra-curricular activities. A minimum 3.4 GPA is a requirement.
LENA M. FERRARA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This endowment was established in 2020 in honor and memory of Lena M. Ferrara by her daughters, Regina Moore and Patricia Ferrara. The purpose of this endowment is to provide scholarship assistance to students in University Theatre in the Cliffe College of Creative Arts at Youngstown State University. Lena loved the beauty and creativity of dance and musical theatre, and she shared that love with her daughters. In her honor, Regina and Patricia wish to support and acknowledge students who are passionate and excited about pursuing careers in musical theatre, especially costume theatre. An eligible student for this scholarship must be majoring in theatre, musical theatre, or theatre studies with a 2.5 GPA or higher. Preference will be given to a student with a focus on costume design and construction.
MOLLY AND SAM GALANO CREATIVITY SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship was established by Molly & Sam Galano and friends of University Theatre to recognize and support a student(s) who is creating new work and majoring in theatre. This student must also be enrolled full-time with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
R. DONALD AND LOIS L. ELSER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The R. Donald and Lois L. Elser Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a student enrolled in the Cliffe College of Creative Arts (current student or incoming freshman). Recipient must be a graduate of South Range High School.
REACHING FOR TOMORROW'S STARS
Endowed in 2011 by one current and two former deans (Dr. Bryan W. DePoy, Mr. Joe Edwards, and Dr. George E. McCloud) of the Cliffe College of Creative Arts at YSU, this scholarship is designed to recruit future and retain present students in the college’s disciplines. Students receiving the scholarship must achieve success benchmarks by progressing through their degrees by 25% at the end of their first year, 50% by the end of their second year, 75% by the end of their third year, and be registered for required courses to complete their degrees by their fourth year. Exceptions can only be granted by the Dean of the college. Graduate students are also eligible for the scholarship. Students must be admitted in good standing to their respective programs and admitted on a non-conditional basis to the university without the need of remedial classes. Students must reapply each year for transcript review.
THEATER GRANT-IN-AID SCHOLARSHIP
The Theater Grant-in-Aid Scholarship is available to full-time students who agree to major in theatre with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and have demonstrated ability. Participation in the theatre production program is required.
Applicants will be notified of award decisions by email during the first week of April.
Scholarships are posted to your YSU Financial Aid Account. For information about how scholarships may affect your financial aid package—and for all other questions regarding financial aid—please contact the YSU Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
University Theatre scholarship policies
University Theatre scholarships are talent-based, and applicants are automatically considered for these scholarships at the time of audition. The director of the department, in consultation with individual areas of study, determines theatre talent-based financial awards based on institutional need and recommendations from the faculty.
Undergraduate requirements
Recipients of theatre scholarships must be enrolled full-time at University Theatre. Full-time enrollment requires a minimum of 12 credit hours.
Current recipients of theatre scholarships who are admitted to a new theatre degree will be reconsidered for aid in the context of the applicant pool for that year.
All scholarships are subject to adjustment upon a change in residency status. For example, a non-Ohio resident who becomes an Ohio resident will have his/her award adjusted proportionally to reflect the reduced cost of attendance charged to Ohio residents.
Students in an undergraduate degree program are eligible to receive music scholarships for a maximum of 8 semesters. Summer sessions are not included in this limit.
To receive University Theatre scholarships, recipients must earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at the end of the second semester of study and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA each semester thereafter.
Recipients must make satisfactory degree progress, as determined by the Director of the school. Probation in any semester will lead to discontinuation of theatre scholarships beginning in the next semester of enrollment.
Cliffe College of Creative Arts scholarships
As a student in Cliffe College of Creative Arts, you may be eligible for scholarships through the College.