Commitment to Affordability

We are dedicated to making Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts affordable to all students. Usdan welcomes and supports students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, and we aim to ensure that cost is not a barrier for any child wishing to attend. Discounts, scholarships, and financial assistance are available for students in grades K through 12, and we strongly encourage families to explore and take advantage of these options. For information about discounts, click here. For information about payment plans, click here.

 

SCHOLARSHIPS & TUITION ASSISTANCE BY THE NUMBERS

Usdan has offered assistance since our opening in 1968. 

On average, 45% of Usdan students receive assistance.

 

TUITION ASSISTANCE 

Tuition Assistance provides need-based aid for Classic and Discovery 8-week, 4-week A, and 4-week B sessions. We do not offer tuition assistance for 1-week Recreational Camp or the Allegro Music Program. Usdan’s application will remain open until we have reached our tuition assistance limit. Applications are reviewed monthly.

Who can apply for tuition assistance?

Tuition assistance is available for students from kindergarten to 12th grade who are unable to pay full tuition are welcome to apply for assistance.

Who receives tuition assistance?

Tuition assistance is provided to families who have demonstrated a financial need. Usdan grants assistance to about 40% of our students. It is not always possible to provide assistance to all families that apply.

How much is granted?

The amount varies based on each family’s demonstrated financial need and within the confines of Usdan’s budget. All awards will cover a partial percentage of tuition.

How are tuition assistance and scholarship decisions made?

We use SSS (School & Student Services) which uses a formula to determine the scholarship rate. We also take personal statements into account. We encourage you to apply and to reach out to our enrollment team with questions.

 

HOW TO APPLY FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE

Applications for tuition assistance are now open!

Follow the below steps to apply for tuition assistance:
1. Visit the School & Student Services (SSS) Family Portal
2. Create an account
3. Gather your documents. For summer 2025 enrollment, 2023 tax documents are the oldest tax documents we can accept.

• 1040
• W2
• 1099

4. Complete and submit your application. Please note, there is a section on the application for you to write a personal statement. We encourage you to use this space to explain any special circumstances and situations not reflected in other parts of the application.

• Use Usdan’s code: 201010
• Summer 2025 is part of the 2025-2026 school year

5. Download a step-by-step guide via the button below.

 

 

WHEN ARE FAMILIES NOTIFIED ABOUT TUITION ASSISTANCE DECISIONS?

Please be reminded that students must be enrolled to be considered for tuition assistance. Families are notified about tuition assistance on the following schedule, depending on availability:

January
Apply By: January 20, 2025
Receive Letter By: January 28, 2025

February
Apply By: February 17, 2025
Receive Letter By: February 25, 2025

March
Apply By: March 24, 2025
Receive Letter By: April 1, 2025

April
Apply By: April 21, 2025
Receive Letter By: April 29, 2025

May
Apply By: May 19, 2025
Receive Letter By: May 28, 2025
 

Should you have questions, please email enrollment@usdan.org or call 631.643.7900.

 

ABOUT OUR SCHOLARSHIPS: 

Usdan offers two different types of scholarships to help make camp more affordable: Merit Scholarships and Creativity-Based Scholarships 

 

WHAT ARE USDAN'S MERIT & CREATIVITY-BASED SCHOLARSHIPS?

MUSIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

• Are U an instrumentalist or vocalist?
• Do U live in NYC or Long Island?
• Are U currently in grades 2–12 this school year?

Usdan's Music Merit Scholarship is an audition-based scholarship program for young instrumentalists and vocalists interested in attending Usdan’s Classic 4- or 8-week music program as Music Majors in Concert Band, Orchestra, Junior or Senior Vocal Ensemble, or Jazz Ensemble. Scholarship award amounts vary from 10–95% of tuition for Classic 4- or 8-week programs in music only.

Applications for the 2025 Music Merit Scholarship are now open.

 

UNIQUELY U SCHOLARSHIP

• Are U an artist?
• Do U live in NYC or Long Island?
• Are U currently in grades K–12in kindergarten to grade 12 this school year?

Uniquely U is a one-of-a-kind scholarship that honors young creatives in grades K–12 based on their passion and creativity rather than merit. Six students will receive full 8-week scholarships including busing to Usdan for the Summer 2025 season. 

Applications for the 2025 UniquelyU Scholarship are now open.

 

THE POET IN U SCHOLARSHIP

• Are U a Poet?
• Do U live in NYC or Long Island?
• Are U currently in grades 4–12?

Usdan’s newest scholarship, The Poet in U is a celebration of creativity, self-expression, and voice. Show us your unique voice that exists on and off the page, and you could be selected to receive a full 4-week scholarship including busing to attend Usdan and major in Spoken Word & Poetry during our Summer 2025 4A Session.

Applications for The 2025 Poet in U Scholarship are now open.

 

OTHER SOURCES OF AID

Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit

If your child is under the age of 13 and you and your spouse both work, or are actively looking for work, the cost of summer day camp may qualify you for the child and dependent care tax credit. This credit is worth 20% up to 35% of up to $3,000 in eligible childcare costs for one child or up to $6,000 for two children. Please check the IRS website and/or with a certified tax professional regarding your personal tax situation.

New York State Child Care Assistance Program

This program is administered by local social service districts (LSSD) and overseen by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). The program helps Temporary Assistance (TA) and low-income families pay for childcare. To apply, you must fill out a questionnaire on the website.

Dependent Care

If you have an FSA account through work, you can set aside up to $5,000 per year from your pretax to the FSA, which you can withdraw tax free for eligible childcare expenses – including day camp. The expenses must be for childcare for children under the age of 13 while you and your spouse work or look for work. Please speak with your employer and a certified tax professional regarding your personal situation to find out if this program applies to you. Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide and should not be relied upon for tax, legal or accounting advice. 

 

DISCOUNTS

Usdan offers generous tuition discounts for those who qualify. To find out more information, click here.

 

If you have any questions, please email enrollment@usdan.org or call us at 631-643-7900.