SUMMER STUDY ASSISTANCE:

The NOCCA Foundation’s Summer Study Student Support Program provides financial assistance to help NOCCA students participate in summer arts programs across the country. Support may be applied toward tuition, room and board, and travel expenses for students. Please note that the Foundation is unable to cover the full cost of a summer program and cannot guarantee funding to all applicants. Students and families are expected to contribute toward the overall cost of attendance. Awards are determined based on demonstrated financial need and artistic merit and, whenever possible, are paid directly to the program of study.

SUMMER STUDY 2026 ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants must be current 10th or 11th grade returning NOCCA students in good standing. Graduating 12th grade students will be considered only after the needs of 10th and 11th grade students have been met.

DEADLINE: Monday, March 30, 2026.

Completed applications, with all required attachments and links, must be submitted to the NOCCA Foundation by the end of the day on March 30, 2026. Early submission is highly encouraged.

NOCCA FOUNDATION GUIDELINES: 

• The NOCCA Foundation strongly encourages applicants to apply to a second summer program in the event that the total cost of a first-choice program exceeds the support available. Awards are issued for one program only.  Please list your preferred program first.                                                                                        
• Award recipients must attend the specific program for which assistance was approved. Any change in program attendance after an award has been granted requires prior approval from both the NOCCA Foundation and your NOCCA faculty.                                                                                                          
• Students who withdraw from a program after NOCCA Foundation funds have been disbursed are responsible for reimbursing any portion of the award that cannot be recovered.                                                                                                                         
• Students must notify the NOCCA Foundation immediately if any of the following occur:

• The summer program awards the student additional scholarship funding.
• Other funding sources reduce the overall cost of attendance.
• The program is canceled or undergoes a significant financial change.
• The student is unable or chooses not to attend the program for any reason.

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE:

1. Completed Application: Digitally signed by both student and guardian.

2. Total Household Income Documentation:(for all working adults) If you have already submitted financial documents for Student Support in the 2025/26 school year, those will be applied.  Otherwise you must submit ONE of the following: 

• Copy of first two pages of parent/legal guardian’s 2025 tax return, W2(s), or IRS Form 1099.
• Copy of last two pay stubs (with pay period indicated).
• Copy of child support documentation.
• Copy of government assistance documentation (e.g., SNAP, WIC, Social Security Note: Black out all Social Security Numbers. 

3. Optional Parent Letter: Parents may provide a letter detailing special financial circumstances (e.g., changes in income, family illness).

4. Student Essay: Describing yourself, your art, community activities, and why you wish to attend the chosen program.

5. Two Letters of Recommendation: It is each applicant's responsibility to ask their faculty for a recommendation.  One must be from an Arts Department Chair and one from any other Arts faculty member. Applications without recommendations will not be considered. Faculty recommendation forms can be found here: Recommendation

6. Program Information: Link and contact information for the program(s) to which you are applying to. 

7. Program Financial Aid Documentation: Proof that you have applied for financial aid from the program/university, or documentation that aid is not offered. 

WAIT!

BEFORE YOU BEGIN THIS APPLICATION  BE SURE YOU HAVE ALL OF THE ABOVE DOCUMENTATION, ATTACHMENTS, ESSAYS AND PROGRAM LINKS AVAILABLE

The NOCCA Foundation cannot fund all student programs and asks that students do their best to secure additional sources of funding. What other sources do you have and how much will be provided? Include any scholarships, financial aid from the summer program (amount received or anticipated/applied for), part-time job income, parent’s/family help, etc. Add any additional funding below.  If no outside funding is present, leave fields blank.

Two letters of recommendation are required: one from the student's faculty chair and one from another arts faculty member. Recommendation letters are confidential and submitted directly to the NOCCA Foundation but it is the student's responsibility to request these letters from their teachers.

Required Signatures

By signing and submitting this application, I verify that information presented here is accurate and complete to the best of my ability. This signature is acknowledgement and acceptance of any grant or reimbursement I may be awarded,  I further acknowledge any follow-up requirements such as submission of receipts for reimbursement. I agree to all guidelines specified by the NOCCA Foundation Summer Study Student Support Program. I understand that receiving an award from the NOCCA Foundation does not assign any responsibility or liability to the NOCCA Foundation.