Scholarships & Financial Aid

Our sliding scale tuition and scholarship programs are designed to reflect the diversity of the community we serve.

Financial Accessibility

As a non-profit committed to barrier free access to ballet training, Three Rivers Ballet offers financial aid and scholarships.

Quality ballet education can be expensive; a single pair of pointe shoes costs over $100 and only lasts for 10-15 hours of dancing. Our teachers are highly trained professionals and deserve to be recognized as such. It all adds up.

More than 43% of our students have received financial assistance with their ballet training. Money should never be the determining factor when a child expresses interest in dancing. We believe in bringing the arts to all students, regardless of their economic situation.

All our students are eligible for need-based scholarships and financial aid, allowing us to broaden our reach as we help develop the dancers and citizens of tomorrow. Students receiving financial aid or a scholarship must maintain minimum enrollment at Three Rivers Ballet. Failure to demonstrate commitment to the program may result in the financial aid offer or scholarship being rescinded.

Sliding Scale Tuition Categories

Choose the payment bracket that best fits your means. Please remember that we can offer this support because others in the community share their time and resources to make it possible.

If you need more tuition assistance, please ask about scholarship and financial aid offers.

  • The actual cost of class. Lower tiers are being supported.

    Consider paying this amount if:

    • You are employed and regularly meet your basic needs

    • You have stable housing

    • You have access to savings or disposable income

    • Any debt you may have is manageable

    • You can afford small luxuries without hardship

  • If you struggle to meet basic needs and paying for enrichment activities isn’t possible.

    Consider paying this amount if:

    • Meeting your basic needs is an ongoing struggle

    • You qualify for government assistance (SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)

    • You have no access to financial savings or generational wealth

    • You are unemployed, underemployed, or unable to work

    • You are accruing debt to meet your basic needs

  • If you meet basic needs but have little expendable income. Paying for class is a sacrifice but would not create hardship.

    Consider paying this amount if:

    • You are sometimes, but not reliably meeting all your basic needs

    • You face housing instability

    • You have limited-to-no financial savings

    • You are underemployed or working multiple jobs to make ends meet

    • You carry significant debt that limits your financial flexibility

  • If you want to contribute funds to sustain lower tiers of the scale, scholarships, and future free and low-cost classes. Support your community!

    Consider paying this amount if:

    • You can comfortably meet your basic needs

    • You own your home or other property

    • You have access to financial savings, retirement accounts, or investments

    • You have a relatively high earning capacity, even if you’re not currently using it

    • You travel recreationally or have disposable income for leisure activities

    • Standard $45/month

    • Supported $25/month

    • Partnered $35/month

    • Sustaining $55/month

    • Standard $75/month

    • Supported $35/month

    • Partnered $55/month

    • Sustaining $85/month

    • Standard $120/month

    • Supported $60/month

    • Partnered $90/month

    • Sustaining $140/month

    • Standard $150/month

    • Supported $70/month

    • Partnered $110/month

    • Sustaining $170/month

    • Standard $170/month

    • Supported $80/month

    • Partnered $125/month

    • Sustaining $200/month

    • Standard $200/month

    • Supported $90/month

    • Partnered $145/month

    • Sustaining $240/month

    • Standard $240/month

    • Supported $110/month

    • Partnered $175/month

    • Sustaining $280/month

    • Standard $300/month

    • Supported $130/month

    • Partnered $215/month

    • Sustaining $350/month

    • Standard $110/month

    • Supported $50/month

    • Partnered $75/month

    • Sustaining $120/month

    • Standard $135/month

    • Supported $65/month

    • Partnered $95/month

    • Sustaining $150/month

    • Standard $160/month

    • Supported $80/month

    • Partnered $115/month

    • Sustaining $180/month

    • Standard $185/month

    • Supported $95/month

    • Partnered $135/month

    • Sustaining $210/month

    • Standard $210/month

    • Supported $110/month

    • Partnered $155/month

    • Sustaining $240/month

    • Standard $30/class

    • Supported $15/class

    • Partnered $20/class

    • Sustaining $35/class

    • Standard $75/class

    • Supported $45/class

    • Partnered $60/class

    • Sustaining $100/class

Pricing Levels

Financial Assistance Options

  • Financial Aid


    Additional financial aid up to 25% of tuition is available to all students. All you need to do is ask! We believe in making every effort to keep the cost of entry to high quality dance training as low as possible. If you have need of financial aid, please contact the Ballet Master so that we can work with you to to make training possible for you. If you require greater assistance, please talk to us about our scholarship programs. Due to the limited nature of funds, please do not request more financial aid than you require.

  • Family Discounts


    Immediate family members of existing students and staff automatically receive 25% off of their tuition. This is calculated from the lowest tuition amount.

  • Scholarships


    Scholarships are available to full-time and summer students, including those enrolled in camps and intensives. Scholarships are typically awarded through an application process. Scholarships are valid for the term assigned only; a new application is required for each school year or Summer Intensive session. Denial of a scholarship is not a negative indication of a student’s ability.

    Scholarships are available for the following circumstances.

    • Financial Need

    • Artistic merit

    • As part of a community event or outreach initiative

Be a Supporter

If your financial situation puts you in a position to help others afford class and support our work in the community, please talk to us about making a charitable contribution.