At The Comedy Arena Training Center, we believe comedy has the power to do more than make people laugh.

It can build confidence. Spark creativity. Help people find their voice. Turn strangers into friends. And sometimes, it can help someone discover a part of themselves they didn't know was there. We also know that the cost of a class can sometimes stand between someone and that experience. We don't want that to be the reason you can't join us.

 

Student Scholarships

As a nonprofit organization, The Comedy Arena Training Center offers scholarships to help make our classes and educational programs more accessible to members of our community who may otherwise be unable to participate.

Scholarship assistance may cover some or all of the cost of an eligible class, depending on available funding and the needs of the student.

Whether you've always dreamed of performing, you're looking for a creative outlet, you want to build confidence, or you're simply curious about trying something completely new, we encourage you to apply.

• You don't need to already be funny.

• You don't need performance experience.

• You don't need to know if comedy is "your thing."

• You just need to want to give it a try.

 

Who Can Apply?

Scholarships are intended for students for whom the cost of a class would create a financial barrier to participating.

We don't want applying for assistance to feel intimidating or embarrassing. Life circumstances are different for everyone, and we're not interested in making you prove that you're "struggling enough" to belong here.

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Tell us a little about yourself, why you'd like to take a class at The Comedy Arena Training Center, and how scholarship assistance would help.

 

How It Works

1. Find a class you're excited about.
Explore our upcoming classes and programs and decide what you'd like to try.

 

2. Complete our short scholarship application.
Tell us about yourself, the class you're interested in, and the assistance you're requesting.

 

3. We'll review your application.
Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, available scholarship funds, and space in the requested program.

 

4. Come play.
If you're awarded a scholarship, we'll help get you registered and ready for class.

APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

 

Help Someone Else Find Their Place

Our scholarship program is made possible through the generosity of people who believe comedy education should be accessible to more people.

When you support The Comedy Arena Training Center, you're helping someone walk into a classroom they might not otherwise have been able to enter.

And what happens after that can be pretty remarkable.

A student may discover a new creative outlet.
Someone who's always been shy may find their confidence.
A newcomer to North Texas may find their community.
Someone may even discover that they're really, really good at making up songs about refrigerators.

Every gift helps create another opportunity for someone to learn, laugh, connect and grow.

HELP FUND A SCHOLARSHIP

 

There's a Place For You Here.

Financial circumstances shouldn't determine who gets to experience the joy, connection and personal growth that comedy education can provide.

If you'd like to be here, we want to help make that possible.

APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP

The Comedy Arena Training Center
305 E. Virgina St • McKinney TX, 75069

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Scholarship FAQ

We want applying for a The Comedy Arena Training Center scholarship to be simple, welcoming and respectful. Here are some of the questions you might have about how our scholarship program works.

 

Who can apply for a scholarship?

Anyone who wants to participate in an eligible Comedy Arena Training Center program and for whom the cost of tuition would create a financial barrier is welcome to apply.

You do not need to be a current The Comedy Arena Training Center student, have previous comedy or performance experience, or be pursuing comedy professionally.

If cost is what's keeping you from joining us, we want to hear from you.

 

Do I need to prove financial need?

No.

We aren't going to ask for tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements or other financial documentation.

We trust applicants to honestly assess their circumstances and request the level of assistance they need. Our application will simply ask you to tell us a little about how scholarship assistance would help make participating possible.

 

How much does a scholarship cover?

Scholarships may cover part or all of the tuition for an eligible class.

When applying, we'll ask what portion of the tuition you are reasonably able to contribute. If you can pay part of the tuition, great! That allows our scholarship funds to help even more students.

If you need the entire tuition covered, that's okay too. Full scholarships may be awarded when funding is available.

Please request the amount of assistance you genuinely need.

 

What classes are eligible?

Scholarships are generally available for The Comedy Arena Training Center's regularly scheduled multi-week educational programs, including classes in areas such as improv, stand-up, sketch, storytelling, musical improv and other comedy disciplines.

Some specialty workshops, visiting-instructor programs, intensives, private instruction or programs with significant additional costs may not be eligible for scholarship assistance.

If you're unsure whether a particular class qualifies, just ask us.

Can I apply if I've never taken a class here?

Absolutely.

Your first comedy class is a perfectly good time to apply.

You don't need experience. You don't need to know whether you're funny. And you definitely don't need to have plans to become a professional comedian.

Curiosity is enough.

 

How do I apply?

Start by finding an upcoming class you'd like to take and complete our short scholarship application.

We'll ask which class you're interested in, how much of the tuition you're able to contribute and a few questions about why you'd like to participate and how financial assistance would help.

That's it.

No essay contest. No financial paperwork. No need to convince us that you deserve to be here.

 

How are scholarships awarded?

Scholarships are awarded based primarily on financial need, available scholarship funds and space in the requested class.

Because The Comedy Arena Training Center has limited scholarship resources, submitting an application does not guarantee that we will be able to provide assistance.

Our goal is to help as many people participate as our available resources allow.

 

When should I apply?

As early as you can!

Scholarship applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but awards depend on available funding and space in the class you're requesting.

Applying early gives us the best opportunity to help.

 

When will I hear back?

We will make every effort to respond to scholarship applications as quickly as possible and before the requested class begins.

Please do not register and pay for the class while waiting for a scholarship decision unless you're comfortable attending without scholarship assistance.

 

How often can I receive a scholarship?

Generally, students may receive one scholarship award within a six-month period.

We use this guideline so our available scholarship funds can reach as many people as possible.

However, we know circumstances aren't always simple. Additional assistance may be considered based on individual circumstances, program availability and available scholarship funding.

 

What if I don't receive a scholarship?

Please don't take it as a judgment about you or whether you belong at The Comedy Arena Training Center.

Our scholarship resources are limited, and sometimes we simply won't have enough funding or available class space to accommodate every request.

You're welcome to apply again for a future class.

 

What happens if I receive a scholarship but can't attend?

Life happens. Just tell us.

If your circumstances change and you can no longer attend, please contact The Comedy Arena Training Center as soon as possible. Whenever possible, that gives us an opportunity to make those scholarship funds or that class seat available to someone else.

Repeatedly accepting scholarship assistance and then failing to attend without communicating with us may affect eligibility for future scholarships.

 

Can I transfer my scholarship to another class or another person?

Scholarships are awarded for the specific student and class listed in the application and cannot be transferred to another person.

If you need to change classes, contact us. Depending on class availability and scholarship funding, we may be able to move your award to another eligible program, but we can't guarantee it.

 

Will anyone know that I'm attending on a scholarship?

Your scholarship status is private.

Your classmates do not need to know how your tuition was paid, and receiving financial assistance doesn't change your experience as a The Comedy Arena Training Center student.

Once you're in class, you're a student. Period.

 

A Few Things We Ask From Scholarship Recipients

Our scholarship program exists because members of our community choose to invest in making comedy education accessible to others.

In return, we ask scholarship recipients to:

• Apply honestly and request only the level of assistance they need.

• Make a good-faith effort to attend and participate in their class.

• Follow the same attendance, conduct and participation expectations as every other The Comedy Arena Training Center student.

• Let us know as soon as possible if circumstances change and they can no longer participate.

• Remember that accepting a scholarship reserves resources that could otherwise help another student.

There is no requirement to volunteer, perform, donate back to The Comedy Arena Training Center or "repay" your scholarship.

We simply ask that you use the opportunity you're given.

 

Still Have Questions?

Ask us.

We would much rather answer a question than have someone decide not to apply because they weren't sure whether they qualified.

If cost is standing between you and a The Comedy Arena Training Center classroom, apply.

There's a place for you here.

APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP