Cheer and Dance Team Scholarships
Promising student leaders who are committed to participating in North Park University’s recreational cheer and dance teams are invited to audition for annually renewable scholarships of up to $1,000. Women and men in these three groups bolster the University’s team spirit at athletic competitions and perform at community events and competitions throughout the year. These teams have full use of North Park’s state-of-the-art Helwig Recreation Center. (Please note that these groups are not intercollegiate athletic teams; as a NCAA Division III university, North Park is not able to offer athletic scholarships.)
Scholarship Requirements
Each of the three teams has specific scholarship application and audition requirements (see below). To apply for the awards, you will need to submit an audition video following your chosen team’s guidelines. In order to be awarded a scholarship, you must be admitted to North Park University and intending to enroll in the upcoming fall term.
If you are selected to receive a scholarship, it will be renewable with continued participation on your cheer, or dance team for up to four years at North Park, as long as you meet the following guidelines:
- Participating on your selected team for the entire academic year
- Maintaining full-time enrollment at North Park University (at least 12 semester hours in each of the fall and spring semesters)
- Maintaining academic eligibility and adhering to team standards
- Attending all scheduled practices on a regular basis, including weekdays and weekends
- Performing with your team at games and competitions throughout the year
Any award for cheer or dance is in addition to other scholarships and grants for which you may qualify; winning one of these awards will not diminish other scholarship amounts. The actual amount of your award will be listed on your financial aid award letter.
If you wish to participate on more than one of these teams, you can apply for a scholarship in each category. However, you can only be awarded a scholarship for participation in one group (though you are welcome to audition for and participate in other groups as well).
You must submit your scholarship application materials for these scholarships by April 15, 2024. Learn more about the requirements for each category below. Once you’re ready, click below to apply.
Up to three $1,000 scholarships are available each year for students who participate in the co-ed Viking Cheer Team. This athletic performance program is open to women and men of all skill levels, from beginners to experts. The only requirement is that you’re ready to work hard and have fun.
Viking Cheerleaders support North Park athletes at home football and basketball games, and also compete at cheer events during the spring semester.
Apply for a cheer scholarship by submitting a video audition that meets the following guidelines by April 15:
- Dress accordingly (hair, clothing, makeup); make sure there are no elements that distract from your performance. Simple is often the best choice.
- Maximum video length should be two to four minutes
- Begin the video with a brief introduction that includes your name, hometown, high school, and how long you have been cheering/dancing
- The first 30 seconds to 1 minute should be choreography of your choice that showcases your talents and strengths. This must be a solo performance (other than stunting)
- For the remainder of the video time (up to three minutes), show your other techniques, tumbling, and trick. Examples should include, but are not limited to, cheer/motions, tumbling, jumps (pike, hurdler, toe-touch, double toe-touch), and stunting (base, backspot, flyer, and co-ed if it applies)
Up to three $1,000 scholarships are available each year for students who participate in the Viking Dance Team. This co-ed dance performance program is open to students of all skill levels, from beginners to experts. The dance team performs at a variety of men’s and women’s athletic events, including football, soccer, and basketball games. The team also competes throughout the region during both the fall and spring seasons.
Apply for a dance scholarship by submitting a video audition that meets the following guidelines by April 15:
- Dress accordingly (hair, clothing, makeup); make sure there are no elements that distract from your performance. Simple is often the best choice.
- Maximum video length should four minutes
- Begin the video with a brief introduction that includes your name, hometown, high school, and how long you have been cheering/dancing
- The first 30 seconds to 1 minute should be choreography of your choice that showcases your talents and strengths. This must be a solo performance. No team videos will be considered
- For the remainder of the video time (up to three minutes), show your other techniques, tumbling, and tricks. Examples should include, but are not limited to, double pirouette (turn), high kicks, leaps, extensions, fuetes, tumbling, hip hop, freestyle, and stalls.
Scholarship announcements for each area will be made at team tryouts in the spring (dates to be announced). We encourage you to visit North Park over this weekend in order to participate in tryouts alongside other current and future students. If you cannot attend tryouts, the coaches will, with your permission, use your scholarship audition video as your tryout video. You can indicate this on the scholarship application form.
Use our online cheer and dance team scholarship application to submit your audition video and personal information to apply for one of these competitive scholarships. For more information or with questions about auditioning, contact Ericka Adams, recreation and wellness director, via email or at (773) 244-5618.