Financial Aid

Charlotte Cirque & Dance Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring people of diverse backgrounds to explore beyond their boundaries through dance and circus arts.​  Our vision is to create educational opportunities for people to experience the world, which will enrich their lives and the lives of those around them. ​

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If finances are a barrier to dance and circus classes, we would like to help.  We offer scholarships and financial aid opportunities to those who wish to train with our school.  This may include merit scholarships, work study programs, discounts on classes, or even dance and circus attire.

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How Financial Aid Works

Financial aid awards are determined through a consistent review process designed to help us understand each family's financial circumstances.

Our process includes:

1. Submit a financial aid application.

2. Provide household size and approximate annual household income.

3. CC&DC uses the Charlotte-area Area Median Income (AMI) guidelines as a baseline for determining financial need.

4. Special financial circumstances are considered when reviewing each application.

5. CC&DC determines an appropriate tuition assistance level based on the information provided.

6. Families receiving financial aid agree to the participation and volunteer requirements outlined below.

7. Families must submit a new financial aid application each year to continue receiving assistance.

Financial aid is not automatically renewed from year to year. A family's financial circumstances may change, so we ask families to complete a new application annually.

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Our AMI Guidelines

To help us make financial aid decisions consistently, CC&DC uses the Area Median Income (AMI) guidelines for Mecklenburg County as a baseline.

AMI is a measure used to compare household income based on the number of people in a household. Because household size affects a family's financial circumstances, we consider both income and number of household members rather than income alone.

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For example, a family of four with an annual household income of approximately $58,700 falls at the 50% AMI level under the current Mecklenburg County guidelines. A family of four with an annual household income of approximately $93,900 falls at the 80% AMI level. These numbers are used as a baseline for discount percentage, not as an automatic approval or denial of financial aid.

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Household Income to Approximate Tuition Assistance Scale

0-30% AMI - Up to 75%

31-40% AMI - Up to 60%

41-50% AMI - Up to 50%

51-60% AMI - Up to 40%

61-70% AMI - Up to 25%

71-80% AMI - Up to 15%

Above 80% AMI - Generally not eligible

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Special Circumstances Matter

We understand that income does not always tell the complete story of a family's financial situation.

When reviewing an application, CC&DC may take additional circumstances into consideration, including:

• Significant medical or healthcare expenses

• Childcare expenses

• Recent job loss or reduction in income

• A significant change in household income

• Single-income households

• Supporting another family member

• Unexpected financial hardship

• Other circumstances that significantly affect a family's ability to pay

Families will have an opportunity to explain these circumstances on the financial aid application.

We encourage families to tell us about circumstances that may not be reflected by their household income alone.

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Financial Aid and Class Availability

Financial aid is subject to available placement in CC&DC programs.

Because our classes have limited enrollment capacity, receiving financial aid does not guarantee placement in a particular class.

If capacity has already been reached in a particular class, we may work with the family to identify another appropriate class or placement.

Our goal is to make financial assistance available while also maintaining healthy, appropriately sized classes for all students.

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Financial Aid Family Participation

We want financial aid to be more than simply a tuition discount. CC&DC is a community, and families receiving financial assistance are asked to contribute to that community through participation and volunteer service.

Families receiving financial aid are expected to:

• Maintain Regular Attendance

Students receiving financial aid should maintain consistent attendance in their enrolled classes.

Our general expectation is at least 80% attendance, excluding reasonable circumstances such as illness, family emergencies, school obligations, or other situations approved by CC&DC. If attendance becomes a concern, we will communicate with the family before making changes to their financial aid.

• Meet Volunteer Requirements

Families receiving financial aid are also expected to contribute volunteer time to CC&DC.

Volunteer hours are calculated based on the student's monthly class commitment.

Volunteer Opportunities May Include:

• Performances and showcases

• Open houses

• Camps

• Special events

• Community outreach

• Fundraising activities

• Event preparation

• Costume or prop preparation

• Administrative projects

• Other opportunities approved by CC&DC

Families will be informed about available volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

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Annual Financial Aid Review

Financial aid is awarded for one program year.

Families who wish to continue receiving assistance must submit a new financial aid application each year.

This allows us to review:

• Current household income

• Household size

• Changes in financial circumstances

• Student enrollment

• Attendance

• Family participation and volunteer service

Financial aid is not automatically renewed.

Families should also notify CC&DC if there is a significant change in their financial circumstances during the year.

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Our Commitment to Families

We understand that asking for financial assistance can feel difficult. Our goal is to make the process as respectful, straightforward, and transparent as possible.

The AMI guidelines help us apply a consistent standard to financial aid decisions, while our review of individual circumstances allows us to recognize that every family's situation is different. If you believe financial circumstances are preventing your student from participating in circus or dance at CC&DC, we encourage you to apply. Financial assistance is based on demonstrated need, household circumstances, and available placement. Submission of an application does not guarantee an award. If you have questions about the financial aid process or need help completing the application, please contact us at info@cltcirquedancecenter.org.

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We give priority to students who wish to invest in training dance and circus arts with us for a long-term.​

If you would like to apply, click the button below.