Questions

What can I get help with?

You can apply for a bursary from NYAT to help pay for your performing arts tuition. A bursary typically pays for a year’s worth of part time dance, music or drama classes. In addition to the cost of classes, an NYAT bursary can be used to cover the costs of specialist dance clothing, musical instrument hire, music ensemble membership, travel to and from class and drama school/ conservatoire recall audition fees and travel expenses. The trustees also consider applications from students who have a place at an accredited drama school or conservatoire but cannot afford to take up their place.

Who should apply for these grants?

Our bursaries are open to all young people aged between 12 and 25, regardless of where they live in the United Kingdom and irrespective of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, religion, special educational needs, disability and sexual orientation.

You must, however, be able to meet our criteria to be eligible to apply.

How much money will I receive?

Applicants can apply for up to £1,000 for dance and music training and drama school tuition fees, and up to £200 if the bursary is for a recall audition.

If I am successful, how will I receive the bursary?

Tuition fees will be paid directly to your place of tuition and any other costs incurred, which NYAT has agreed to cover, will be paid directly to the bursary recipients on presentation of the appropriate receipts.

When I apply, what information do I have to provide?

In the online application form, we will ask you for your contact details, your parent or guardian’s contact details, information about the course you are attending, and what the bursary would be spent on. We ask about your financial circumstances, and for a personal statement from you, telling us what impact a bursary would have on your education. You must also upload supporting documents that evidence what you’ve told us in the application form – a list of the supporting documents can be found on the Before you apply page of our website. You should upload the supporting documents in pdf format. If you have to post the supporting documents, they must be COPIES, not originals. We are unable to return any original documents to the applicant.

How long will it take to receive a decision?

The committee meets approximately every four months, so depending on how early you submit your application, it could take up to six months to receive a decision. We always aim to give an estimated time frame once you have applied and we always confirm receipt of an application. Please contact us if you have not heard from us within two weeks of applying.

How often can I apply?

Applicants can apply once every year, and you can apply regardless if you have been successful or unsuccessful in the past. There is no guarantee of a successful application, even if you have been successful previously and your circumstances have not changed.

Will I have to pay back the grant when the course has finished?

No, the bursaries are not a loan and not subject to repayment. However, bursary recipients must notify the Trustees of any change in their financial circumstances.

How do I find a drama/dance course or music teacher in my area?

Please see our Helpful Links to recommended sites, which will help you find an accredited course in your area.

Who decides to award a bursary?

A sub-committee of the National Youth Arts Trust Board of Trustees is responsible for awarding grants and for the evaluation of the impact of our bursary scheme. The committee monitor applications to see if any groups, communities, or regions are underrepresented, with a view to doing more outreach work.