SPRING 2026 SCHOLARSHIPS (open Dec. 1st)

Move With Purpose scholarships are given out based on financial need on a first come, first served basis. We are proud to have our scholarship guidelines reflect the the wages and cost of living of Santa Barbara County rather than state-wide or federal income brackets. This ensures that our high cost of living is taken into account for our local families who want the best for their family.

Scholarships are offered with our Corporate Partner, Santa Barbara Dance Arts. They offer a unique summer program that supports a safe and fulfilling childcare option, confidence building performance opportunities, and access to high-level pre-professional programming that has systemic and historic roadblocks for undeserved communities.  As our one of our valued partners, SBDA will match all Move With Purpose scholarship awards via their community SBDA CARES PROGRAM. SBDA is proud to have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars in awards over the last 27 years.

If you dance at another studio and are interested in our Community Scholarships, email programs@movewithpruposesb.org. If you are applying with another organization for financial assistance for dance, please indicate below.

General Scholarship Application Guidelines

1: ENROLL IN CLASSES - 50% Contingency Coupon* SCHOLSPRING26
If you haven't already, please register for your classes at www.sbdancearts.com to secure a spot.
*Please remember: this coupon is ONLY a place holder and does not mean a scholarship is awarded. Contingency coupon can be up to 50% of the tuition as that is the maximum MWP scholarship award allowance possible. Please know that you are responsible for the balance of fees due to SBDA should you accept the scholarship. If the scholarship does not meet your needs or your do not qualify,  you must decline the scholarship by the ACCEPTANCE DATE provided on your award letter, and indicate if you wish to drop the class to avoid owing the FULL tuition balance.

After this period, SBDA will not refund your tuition and you will be responsible for the full balance due. Also note, we may request an additional application and proof of income. Once scholarship awards have been sent and accepted, our staff will coordinate with SBDA to remove the coupon, apply the scholarship award amount, and adjust your balance due, if needed.

2. COMPLETE APPLICATION
Fill out the application below.

3. SUBMIT INCOME VERIFICATION DOCUMENTS
Provide your income verification: Income Tax Summary page, or comparable documents for 2024 (If 2024 is not complete, please provide 2023 along with notice of extension and expected date of 2024 return completion- note this may impact awards, should income status change). Students family must demonstrate a financial need (See Chart). Financial Needs is defined as 400% of FPL or less.

 
- Email proof of income to programs@movewithpurposesb.org
- OR drop a copy at 531 E. Cota Street, Santa Barbara 93103

4. RECEIVE AND ACCEPT AWARD & POLICIES
Scholarship award may cover UP TO 50% of class tuition. Please know scholarship awards are contingent upon extenuating hardship and financial approval.

IMPORTANT: Please read, understand, and accept Santa Barbara Dance Arts policies prior to applying. Acceptance of award acknowledges you understand and agree to comply to all policies. Read SB Dance Arts policies at POLICIES/HANDBOOK

If you enrolled in a class but need to withdraw because your scholarship award is insufficient, you will need to contact maria@sbdancearts.com within the required time window per SBDA policies (www.sbdancearts.com ). If withdrawal is not completed, you are subject be charged the full amount of the camp. We are unable to apply scholarships to dropped classes.

5. 2025-2026 SPRING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION TIMELINE:

CYCLE 1 

Scholarship applications, class selections, and financials will open on Dec 1st, 2025!
12/05 - Applications/Financials due, Cycle 1 closes
12/12 - Award Notifications sent, Cycle 1
12/19 - Award Acceptance Due, Scholarships applied

After 12/19, A NEW CYCLE WILL BEGIN  every two weeks until funds have been exhausted. We will continue to accept applications the funds have been exhausted. We are here to help you and your family and will look into other community resources for financial opportunities in the event there is no funding available.  

6. POLICIES & WITHDRAWAL While we endeavor to provide assistance to those in need, we are not able to meet every request. Applications are funded on a first come, first served basis, with a need-based priority. Scholarship award recipients are required to regularly attend classes and camps. It is required to report absences to info@sbdancearts.com. Please let us know if your family needs support to make regular attendance possible.

If you registered for a class, but then need to withdraw because your scholarship award is insufficient, you will need to contact maria@sbdancearts.com within the required time window per SBDA policies (www.sbdancearts.com ). You are unable to drop classes or make changes to your schedule outside of SBDA policies. If classes are dropped, you are subject to be charged the full amount of the class/camps as we are unable to apply scholarships to dropped camps/classes.While we endeavor to provide assistance to those in need, we are not able to meet every request.

Applications are funded on a first come, first served basis, with a need-based priority.

GIVING INCOME GUIDELINES