DEFFA offers a $350 scholarship each year to one Maine DEFFA member applying to a summer music/dance camp session. The funds for this scholarship are generated by the annual DEFFA FUNraiser dance and by the support of our members. Some camps that may be of interest include: Pinewoods or any other CDSS camp (any session) , Maine Fiddle Camp (not just for Fiddles), Mainewoods Dance Camp, or Acadia Festival of Traditional Music & Dance . Details for dates, applications, and additional scholarship opportunities may be found on the individual camps’ websites linked above.
If you are selected to receive DEFFA’s scholarship, and you are applying to a CDSS camp session , you may also be eligible for an affiliate matching scholarship from CDSS (likely, but not guaranteed). If CDSS does not have matching funds for some reason, DEFFA will still offer the $350 scholarship for the chosen applicant. This opportunity is available to our members because DEFFA is an affiliate member of CDSS.
Additional financial assistance may also be available from CDSS through camp work scholarships and other named scholarships, including the New Generation Initiative offered in conjunction with Pinewoods Camp to support and mentor younger dancers and musicians.
If you are selected to receive DEFFA’s scholarship, and you choose to attend Acadia Trad (AFTMD), they will be pleased to offer you a scholarship for the remainder of session costs, so you would receive a scholarship for full tuition. However, AFTMD camp registration opened in October 2022 and their scholarship program closes on January 31, 2023.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
We give preference to up and coming leaders, musicians, callers, or administrators – someone who would be enriched by the experience, who will put into action what they learn, and who has a commitment to furthering DEFFA’s mission. DEFFA’s Scholarship Committee will choose from the applicants based on that commitment.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Complete and submit the Application Form online (below) or print and fill out the PDF version and return a scanned copy via email to [email protected]
DEADLINES: Due to differing application deadlines at various camps, suitable scholarship recipients may be accepted on a rolling basis.
CDSS camp registration opens on or about January 18, and they will start issuing acceptances and distributing their scholarship funds approximately March 21st (though some intensive programs have a slightly earlier deadline). If you hope for a matching CDSS grant, please apply to DEFFA by MARCH 11, so we can determine a DEFFA scholarship recipient and fill out the appropriate CDSS form before their funds are distributed.
AFTMD camp registration opened in October 2022 and their scholarship program closes on January 31, 2023. If you would like to attend AFTMD and would like to benefit from their matching scholarship, please apply to DEFFA by JANUARY 31, so we can evaluate applications and partner with AFTMD in time to meet their deadlines for scholarship distribution.
Even if matching scholarship deadlines at participating camps have passed, if DEFFA has not yet awarded a scholarship for the year there may be funds available even near the beginning of camp season. We will continue to accept applications for all camps until one has been approved, or MAY 30th.
Questions? Email : [email protected]
Scholarship Form
Use this application to apply for a DEFFA Scholarship of $350 to attend a summer camp dance/music program.