Usdan's Commitment to Affordability

Since our founding in 1968, we have been dedicated to making Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts affordable to all students. On average 45% of Usdan students receive assistance. 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.

 

TUITION ASSISTANCE 

Tuition assistance provides need-based aid for Classic and Discovery 8-week, 4-week A, and 4-week B sessions. Usdan’s application will remain open until we have reached our tuition assistance limit. Applications are reviewed monthly.

Usdan's Tuition Assistance Application is now open for the Summer 2026 season. If you have any questions, please email us at enrollment@usdan.org.

TUITION ASSISTANCE FAQs

Who can apply for tuition assistance?

Tuition assistance is available for students currently in grades K-12 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 45% of our students. It is not always possible to provide assistance to all families that apply.

How can I apply?

We know that applying for tuition assistance can feel overwhelming, so we have outlined each step to make the process as easy as possible.

Please complete all following steps:

1. Complete and submit the Tuition Assistance Application for the 2025 – 2026 application year.
2. Pay the $60 application fee
3. Submit tax documents or import your information from the IRS using the Easy Apply feature*
4. Complete Usdan’s Summer 2026 Enrollment form and enroll your child(ren)
5. Pay the enrollment deposit

Important:

• Be sure to complete the application for the 2025 – 2026 school year
• Use Usdan’s code: 201010

If steps are missing, a member of Usdan’s team will reach out. Please note, we can only review your application once all steps are complete.

*This year, families may import their tax return information directly from the IRS as part of the Easy Apply feature, which will allow SSS to pull in your tax data and returns directly from the IRS with your consent. This will cut down on time spent completing some sections of the application, and can replace the requirement to upload supporting tax and income documentation. Delays from the IRS in importing your 1040 may impact your ability to complete your application by the deadline. If you are applying within a week of the deadline or around tax season (January – May) and opt for the Easy Apply feature, we encourage you to also upload your most recent 1040, 1099s, and/or W-2 for all employed adults in your household.

What documents do I need to apply?

The application will require official tax and income documentation including, but not limited to, the following documents:  

• 1040 
• W2 
• 1099 

What advice do you have for filling out the application?

• Tip 1: We strongly encourage all families applying to fill out the Other Considerations question. Here you can detail aspects of your financial situation that may not be reflected in your financial documents or application. 
• Tip 2: We also suggest using the Easy Apply feature with IRS consent, which will allow SSS to pull in your tax data. This will cut down on time spent uploading documents and completing some sections of the application.

How are tuition assistance and scholarship decisions made?

SSS assesses each application and provides a scholarship suggestion to Usdan based on the information provided. Our Leadership team makes every final scholarship decision, incorporating any personal statements or scholarship history in addition to SSS’s suggestion.

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.

Are there other scholarships that we can apply for?

Families who apply for Tuition Assistance are also eligible to apply for other scholarship opportunities, including Uniquely U and Music Merit, and will be notified of any other Usdan scholarship opportunities by email. Families may not combine Usdan scholarships or Tuition Assistance, but we will honor the largest award percentage.

 

WHEN ARE FAMILIES NOTIFIED ABOUT TUITION ASSISTANCE DECISIONS?

Please be reminded that students must be enrolled and their enrollment deposit must be paid in order to be considered for tuition assistance. Families are notified about tuition assistance on the following schedule, depending on availability:

December
Applications due: December 8
Letters sent out: December 15

January
Applications due: January 20
Letters sent out: January 26

February
Applications due: February 23
Letters sent out: March 2

March
Applications due: March 30
Letters sent out: April 8

April
Applications due: April 27
Letters sent out: May 4

May (final round)
Applications due: May 18
Letters sent out: May 27
 

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.

Sign up below to receive information on when Music Merit Scholarship applications open for Summer 2026.

 

UNIQUELY U SCHOLARSHIP

• Are U an artist?
• Do U live on Long Island or NYC?
• Are U currently in grades K–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. 

Sign up below to receive information on when Uniquely U Scholarship applications open for Summer 2026.

 

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.

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.

Empire State Arts Scholarship Program

Students in grades 5–12 who are full-time, permanent residents of New York State may apply to this scholarship to supplement tuition aid already received from a summer arts program, including Usdan! A family's adjusted gross income must be below $91,000/year in order to qualify. NYSSSA recommends that students apply to the scholarship after they have been accepted to the program of their choice; the scholarship will only be applicable to one program. Applications for Summer 2026 are expected to open in the winter. For more information, click here.

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. 

 

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.