The deadline for continuing students to submit all 2027–2028 financial aid applications and mail tax returns/income information is March 17, 2027.

If you miss the deadline, you are still eligible to apply for need-based financial aid.  However, the Financial Aid Office cannot guarantee that an award letter will be issued before June.

The mailing address to which all forms should be sent is:

Financial Aid Office
David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University
149 York Street, Room 101A, PO Box 208325
New Haven CT 06520-8325

Documents may be emailed to dgsd.finaid@yale.edu

All students who receive funds through federal and institutional programs must certify to the following: that any funds received will be used solely for expenses related to attendance at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale; that they will repay funds that cannot reasonably be attributed to meeting those expenses; that they are not in default on any student loan nor owe a repayment on a federal grant. Continued eligibility for financial aid requires that students maintain satisfactory progress in their courses of study according to the policies and practices of the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.

Students seeking general information about veterans’ education benefits should contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs via the web at http://benefits.va.gov/gibill for eligibility information.

The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program under the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which allows it to enter into an agreement with the Veterans Administration to fund tuition expenses to eligible individuals who apply to the program. Students should contact Yale School of Drama’s registrar for enrollment certification.

No prior course credits are accepted for the successful completion of the program of study in any of the nine theatrical disciplines offered at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. This includes the Master of Fine Arts, Certificate in Drama, one-year special student and one-year Technical Internship Certificate. However, veterans who leave the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, and are later readmitted to the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale pursuant to the U.S. Military Leave Readmissions Policy (discussed in the chapter Living at Yale School of Drama), will receive credit for all Yale School of Drama course work completed prior to their leave, and these veterans will return to Yale with the same enrolled status last held and same academic status. The David Geffen School of Drama at Yale maintains written records of course work completed by eligible veterans before their leave to ensure that appropriate credit is granted upon their return to the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale.

Beyond tuition coverage, what are my other costs to attend the School?

Your tuition expenses are covered. Beyond tuition, each student’s financial aid award assesses living expenses. A student may receive living expense scholarship if their financial situation presents financial need.

I have been a working professional for years, why do I need to submit parental information? 

We are committed to meeting all accepted students’ financial need and strive to distribute financial aid as fairly and equitably as possible.  Therefore, we need to understand each student’s circumstances, including all of the resources potentially available to them.  In some cases, our calculations result in an expected parent contribution and in other cases it does not.  If your financial aid package shows a parental contribution, you could borrow that amount if the funds are not available from your parents or if you prefer not to ask them to contribute.  You don’t have to submit your parents’ financial information if you only want loans, but to get scholarship assistance (which many of our students receive) we do need your parents’ information.

How do I request a parental waiver? 

Parental information may be excluded from financial aid assessment if the student is estranged from the parent or parent is deceased. Click here for a parental waiver. 

If I have 2026 tax information, can I submit that instead of 2025 information? 

2026 can be submitted, but you must provide 2025 tax information. 

Can I do more than my assigned hours of work-study?

Beyond assigned hours, students may seek elective work-study hours to supplement their earnings. The rate per hour in the 2026-2027 academic year is $23 (subject to change each year).

Can I work outside of DGSD? 

Given the time requirements of classroom and conservatory training, the School does not recommend engaging in any outside work. Outside work needs approval by your program chair and the Dean; in rare situations, outside work may be approved.

What do I do if I have a competing offer from another school? 

We hope that you will choose DGSD. If you would like to view a cost comparison chart to your competing offer, we can provide that comparison.

When will I receive a financial aid award if offered admission? 

After receiving an offer of admission and if your financial aid application is complete, you will receive a financial aid award letter shortly thereafter the offer of admission. 

When and how do I receive my financial aid? 

Financial aid comes in different forms. Processing of financial aid refunds begin approximately 10 days before the start of classes, provided that all requirements have been met. Financial aid funds are disbursed half in the fall term and the balance in the spring term. Work-study earnings are paid when worked.