Theatre Scholarships

For Performers or Technicians

A special appointment may be arranged with Daniel Rairdin-Hale by email or phone, 563-333-6390.

To be considered for a Theatre Department scholarship, candidates must:

  • Commit to declare theatre as a minor.
  • Submit an application for admission
  • Complete a financial aid form (even though demonstrated financial need is not a requirement).
  • Prepare two contrasting monologues (one comic and one serious) of no more than two minutes each in length. (Performance auditions only)
  • Sing 16 bars of a song from a musical (please bring pre-recorded accompaniment). (Performance auditions only)

Technical candidates are asked to present a portfolio and have an interview with the faculty. This scholarship is contingent upon all established financial aid policies.

See all SAU Scholarships

Michael Kennedy Theatre Scholarship

The Michael Kennedy Theatre Scholarship is an annual, one-time scholarship for a First-year or Transfer student in theatre at St. Ambrose.

Return the application and application materials by April 15.

Application

Application Materials

Regardless of whether you complete the application online or on paper, you will need the following:

  • Your résumé
  • One letter of recommendation (pdf) from someone who knows you and your work
  • A copy of your high school or college transcript
  • A 250-word essay on "The Importance of Theatre in the World and Why I Want to be Involved"

If you complete the application materials on paper, mail them to Corinne Johnson, SAU Theatre Dept., 518 W. Locust St., Davenport, Iowa, 52803.

Criteria

The applicant must embrace all or most of the following criteria:

  • a diligent work ethic
  • a truthfulness/honesty in his/her work and daily life
  • a dedication to his/her art
  • a willingness to be a productive and loyal member of a team/ensemble
  • a sense of humanity and civic responsibility
  • the ability to juggle classroom responsibilities and production demands with success and grace.
  • a great appreciation for humor

Scholarships and Grants

First-Year

St. Ambrose offers excellent scholarships and grants, work-study and other financial aid options! Full-time students may be eligible based on your strong academic performance in college, your talent in fine arts or athletics or your demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAU school code for the FAFSA is 001889.

First-Year Scholarships and Institutional Aid 2024-2025

ON CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships

4.0 GPA: $24,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $22,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $20,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $18,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $14,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.

OFF CAMPUS
Merit-Based Scholarships

4.o GPA: $17,000
3.75-3.99 GPA: $16,000
3.0-3.749 GPA: $15,000
2.5-2.99 GPA: $14,000
2.0-2.49 GPA: $13,000
If GPA is 2.0-2.49, additional documents and review required for admission.

ADDITIONAL INSTITUTIONAL AID

Ambrose Advantage Full-Tuition Scholarship
Pell-eligible Iowa residents, learn more here

Fr. Welch Alumni Scholarship: $500 per year
Parent is a St. Ambrose graduate

Catholic Traditions Scholarship: $1,000 per year
Students with Catholic religious denomination or plans to graduate from Catholic high school 

Minority Scholarship: $500 per year
Ethnically diverse student

Athletic Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability

Fine Arts Scholarships: varies
Performance and ability in music, art and theatre

Faith Learning Justice Campus Ministry Scholarships: $2,000 per year
Recognition of involvement in church and community service and interest in strengthening faith and growing as a leader in campus ministry

Scholarships are determined by unweighted GPA, and are renewable for four years of undergraduate student. Increases in scholarship awards due to change in GPA will be reviewed until March 1.

State and Federal Grants, Work Study

Grants are money that you don't repay, and they can come from government or private sources. SAU receives all financial aid funds directly - including loans and grants - then applies them to your account: once in the fall term and once in the spring term. Grants can be used to cover your tuition, books, and housing costs. You must apply for grants each academic year. If you have any loan funds in excess of your costs, you may receive a refund. If you are a first-time borrower, there is a 30-day hold on your first disbursement. For all of these grants, you must complete the Free Application Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as it is available.


Iowa Tuition Grant
To be eligible for the Iowa Tuition Grant, you must be a resident of Iowa as defined by the State Board of Regents and currently enrolled or planning to enroll in an undergraduate degree program at an eligible Iowa college or university (SAU is eligible). Iowa College Aid administers need-based college financial aid for Iowans, such as the Iowa Tuition Grant.
Award: $7,500 maximum

Federal Pell Grant
Awarded to students of the highest need based on how much your family can contribute to your education. The U.S. Department of Education sets a threshold. Then, when you file your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it computes where you land within that threshold and determines if you qualify for the grant and for how much.
Award: $6,895 maximum

Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
You must file a FAFSA to qualify for a Pell Grant. This grant is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis to students who have submitted all required documents for review and in time for the review to be complete. If you are eligible for a Pell Grant or SEOG, the awards will appear on your financial aid award letter.
Award: $400 maximum

Federal Work Study
Must secure campus employment.
Award: $2,560

Federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant 
Provides aid to students intending to teach in a high-need field at a school that serves low-income families (as determined by the U.S. Department of Education or a state education agency). Review criteria and all details here.
Award: up to $4,000

Outside Scholarships

There are many opportunities to receive scholarships from outside sources, here are a few websites to begin researching your options:

Another tip: Next time you're on campus, check out the bulletin board outside Student Financial Services where we post more flyers and applications for outside scholarships.

Contact


Daniel Rairdin-Hale, Chair

Theatre
Galvin Fine Arts Center 43
518 W. Locust St.
Davenport, IA 52803
563-333-6390
RairdinHaleDanielK@sau.edu

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