Frequently Asked Questions
The New York State Summer School of the Arts (NYSSSA) is dedicated to fostering artistic excellence, cultural diversity, and academic growth through immersive, high-quality arts education. Our mission is to provide young artists from diverse backgrounds across New York State with equitable access to world-class training and mentorship in visual arts, media arts, and theatre. We strive to nurture talent, promote lifelong learning, and advance equity in education, ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed and thrive.
Our office offers both the NYSSSA In-Residency program as well as the Empire State Summer Arts Scholarship program, serving a multitude of New York State students with the opportunity to pursue an arts education.
Have a question that isn’t answered here or on the program pages? Email us directly at nysssa@nysed.gov and we will respond within one week of receiving your email.
Summer Arts In-Residence Program FAQ
Summer Arts Scholarship Program FAQ
Summer In-Residence Programs FAQ
What are the dates of the summer program?
All three 2025 programs will be held at the SUNY Fredonia campus from July 6-August 2, 2025.
What are the application deadlines?
We're not currently accepting applications. 2025 application information will be available in late fall 2024.
What does the program cost?
Tuition for our 2025 programs will be $2,800. Thanks to the generous support of New York State, each student attending NYSSSA is considered on partial merit scholarship. State dollars cover a significant portion of the actual cost of attendance at NYSSSA, which far exceeds the $2,800 tuition cost. Tuition Assistance is available to families making under $91,000/year Adjusted Gross Income.
How do I apply?
2025 application information will be available in late fall 2024.
Is there Financial Aid available?
Yes, tuition assistance is available to families who qualify. In order to qualify for tuition assistance, families must make under $91,000 adjusted gross income per year. Family size, unemployment/under employment, and special circumstances will be taken into account.
To apply for tuition assistance, you will be sent a financial disclosure form after being accepted into the program. Additionally, you will need to submit your family 2023 New York State Income Tax Forms. Tuition Assistance is awarded on a sliding scale and will cover anywhere from 10-90% of the program cost.
Is food and housing covered in the tuition cost?
Yes, the tuition covers all residential and education costs while at the program. Students live in dormitories on the SUNY Fredonia campus and participate in a full meal plan (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) in the campus dining hall. Students will have a roommate, plus access to common areas which are open to the whole NYSSSA program. Accepted students receive a suggested packing list and in depth details about their specific program. A full counseling staff resides in the dormitories with the students. Counselors administer the recreational program, communicate with artistic faculty about student needs, monitor residence life, and protect student health and safety.
What kinds of recreational and social activities are offered?
Students have free time outside of class instruction where they can get to know their fellow NYSSSA students. Weekends are fully planned with a wide range of activities both recreational and artistic such as field trips to the beach, art museums, and county fairs. Each afternoon and evening, facilities at our host campuses are open for individual and group recreation. During free time students can participate in social events such as ultimate Frisbee tournaments, capture the flag competitions, and scavenger hunts. For many, the high social moments are our end of program talent shows. Others say that their best free moments are spent in the spontaneous conversations, gatherings, and activities that students initiate.
Is NYSSSA different from regular school?
Students at NYSSSA come from across New York State. They share a common desire to explore their art at a level and pace that may not be possible during the regular school year. NYSSSA faculty and staff provide interesting and challenging artistic experiences that are different than those explored in traditional high schools.
Are grades or credit awarded?
NYSSSA students do not receive grades or transcripts for their participation in the program. Students receive feedback from artistic faculty concerning their development throughout the four weeks. Upon completion of the program, students are awarded one high school credit in the arts, subject to their home district approval. Notification is provided to each student’s school in late Fall.
What is expected of me as a student?
You are required to attend and participate in all classes and activities in your daily schedule. While your days are busy, they’re also a lot of fun. You’ll experience things you’ve never done before and make great new friends in the process. While some activities may test your “comfort zone” and cause you to stretch your boundaries, they will be extremely rewarding. You should be prepared to grow intellectually, artistically and personally. NYSSSA can be quite challenging, but many former students describe it as a very transformative and often life-changing experience. The challenge is worth it.
How strict are the rules at NYSSSA?
NYSSSA is a program of the New York State Education Department. As such, it is also governed by a number of rules and regulations associated with residential life for high school students. The rules are to promote student health and safety, while creating a secure and welcoming environment where the student can fully participate in their designated art. Rules and expectations are provided upon acceptance into the program and must be signed and acknowledged by both student and parent/guardian. Failure to adhere to NYSSSA’s rules will result in dismissal from the school without refund of tuition.
Do students have to attend NYSSSA for the full 4 week period?
Yes. If a student accepts the invitation to attend NYSSSA, he/she must make the commitment to attend the entire session. (NOTE: Any student who is dismissed prior to the conclusion of the program will not receive a NYSSSA certificate, nor be permitted to cite NYSSSA on college and scholarship applications.) Students with conflicts should reconsider auditioning for the program. Students are not excused to attend school, family, or community events (i.e., camps, competitions, reunions, etc.). On rare occasions students may be excused for events of great urgency that cannot be rescheduled (ie: a College Orientation that cannot be rescheduled and does not conflict with program activities such as a performance). Such requests may only be submitted after the student is accepted as soon as the conflict is identified and are subject to NYSSSA and Artistic approval.
May students go home on weekends?
No. Students must remain at NYSSSA through the weekends as classes, activities and recreational programs occur seven days a week. Brief pre-approved visits by families which do not conflict with program activities are allowed.
Arts Scholarship FAQ
What are the program requirements to receive a scholarship?
Students must be a New York State resident, in grades 5-12, and be attending a summer, arts-oriented program in New York State. General summer camp programs do not qualify, even if there is a day of arts education. Summer Program must be primarily arts focused in its programming.
How much aid can I get to attend an outside program?
Scholarships are meant to fill any gaps in existing tuition aid granted to attend a summer arts program in New York State. Applicants may receive anywhere from 10-90% of the remaining balance.
How are scholarship program applications evaluated?
To apply for tuition aid, you will be sent a financial disclosure form to return to the office. Additionally, you will need to submit your family 2023 New York State Income Tax Forms and proof of applying to/being accepted into the respective summer arts program for which you require a scholarship to attend.
After reviewing family finances and confirming application status and cost with the outside program, scholarships are awarded.
Tuition Aid is awarded on a sliding scale and will cover anywhere from 10-90% of the program cost.
Is there a maximum household income to qualify for a scholarship?
Household income must be under $91,000/year Adjusted Gross Income to qualify for a scholarship.
What if I have extenuating financial circumstances?
If you have extenuating financial circumstances such as sudden unemployment, larger household/dependent size, or any other special circumstances, we are happy to evaluate on a case by case basis. Additional documents may be required.
Do you offer merit-based scholarships?
No, we do not offer merit-based scholarships.
How are scholarship funds disbursed?
Scholarship funds are disbursed directly to the program once all paperwork has been processed. It is our hope that programs do not require families to submit payment up front to their program of choice. Our office is in touch with individual programs staff and we hope that the programs will wait for scholarship funds to be paid out by New York State. However, individual program policies are not in our control.
Can I get a scholarship to more than one program?
Students will only receive tuition assistance to attend a single program in New York State. If a student applies to multiple programs, we will evaluate those applications separately, however, the student must make a choice of which one they will be attending prior to funds being disbursed.
