PAB- 2/10/15- Higher Education Drama Loans

2/10/15- Higher Education Drama Loans

In this lesson we researched the different ways of getting loans or funding for going to drama schools if government loans are not available for your chosen higher education institution. Here are some examples:

Uni grants UK:

• They give you a selection of organisations that offer the grants and funding you want.
• It gives you information on government loans and grants and support available from your university like tuition fee loans, maintenance loans and maintenance grants as examples.
• Also gives you information and guidance on how to set up and manage student banking.
• Helps you to get prepared for the monetary side of further education.
• Allows you to compare different grants and loans that work best for you and your further education.
• Extremely useful to gain information on funding for those planning to study in the performing arts.

DaDAs: 

• DaDA (stands for dance and drama award).
• Loans money to students studying specific dance and drama courses. 
• The amount loaned depends on your family income, and what course you are planning to studying.  
• To be eligible for loans from you must be a citizen of EU and have been for at least 3 continuous years. 
• You also must be between the ages of 16-23 if applying for dance courses, and 18-23 for acting courses.
• You must also have one of the following qualifications and show a tallent and dedication to the performing arts: Level 6 Diploma in Professional Acting (3 years), Level 5 Diploma in Professional Acting (1 year), Level 5 Diploma in Professional Dance (Classical Ballet or Contemporary Dance) (2 years), Level 6 Diploma in Professional Dance (3 years), Level 6 Diploma in Professional Musical Theatre (3 years).
• The loans allow extra support in either paying for the course fees, or maintenance fees.
• Though these loans can only be issued for student going to specific drama and dance institutions: ALRA (Academy of Live and Recorded Arts), Arts.Ed, London, Bird College - Dance and Drama Theatre Performance, Cambridge Performing Arts at Bodywork, Elmhurst School for Dance in association with Birmingham Royal Ballet, English National Ballet School, The Hammond School, Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Laine Theatre Arts, Liverpool Theatre School and College, Millennium Performing Arts, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Northern Ballet School, The Oxford School of Drama, Performers College, SLP College Leeds, Tring Park School for the Performing Arts, University of Surrey / GSA Conservatoire, Urdang Academy.
• It can only requested at certain schools, so is restricted if the student wants to study elsewhere which is a potential down side.

Crowdfunding:

• Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising many small amounts of money from a large number of people, typically via the Internet.
• Allows one person to ask for a certain amount of money and others donate money to their cause. 
• This would allow someone who’s family didn’t have money to pay for drama school to still go as the money has been gained from donation. 
• In 2013, the crowdfunding industry grew to be $5.1 billion worldwide.
• While crown funding can be useful to help raise money for those who may be unable to go to drama school it is by no means a secure or reliable option for those needing funding. Therefor I feel it might not be the best way to receive further education. It should mainly be used for businesses creating and selling products. 

CDET

• The Council of Dance and Education Training (CDET) are designed specifically for the musical theatre and dance industries.
• The music and dance scheme lets talented artists (musicians and dancers) to access financial help for specialised training. It provides additional help with fees and grants at 29 institutions.
• Dance and Drama Awards is another offer which is where exceptionally talented students could receive annual scholarships. These are more likely to be used to help lower income families to allow talented young artist to improve through training.
• Could be extremely beneficial to those wanting to study musical theatre or dance but not for those wanting to study Acting or another performance arts related course.  

 

Lawrence Atwell's Charity

• The Lawrence Atwell's Charity helps those who are financially struggling and may be unable to pay for studying the arts.
• Though they cannot give assistance to those still in secondary education, taking GCSE's or A levels, or studying any other vocational course.
• They offer grants towards vocational training of many courses, for example: BTEC, NVQ- Level 3 or below and Art Foundation courses.
• I believe it can be very helpful for students but not those in secondary education or wanting to study any BA courses as it only funds vocational studies.