Admissions

The deadline for continuing students to submit all 2025–2026 financial aid applications and mail tax returns/income information is March 17, 2025.

The Financial Aid Office cannot guarantee that an award letter will be issued before July 1, 2025, if the financial aid application is submitted after the March 17 deadline.

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 a federal program must certify to the following: that any funds received will be used solely for expenses related to attendance at David Geffen School of Drama; 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 David Geffen School of Drama.

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

David Geffen School of Drama 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 education expenses to eligible individuals who apply to the program. Students should contact the School’s registrar for enrollment certification.

No prior course credits are accepted for the successful completion of the program of study in any of the eight theatrical disciplines offered at the School. This includes the Master of Fine Arts, Certificate in Drama, and one-year special student and one-year Technical Internship Certificate. However, veterans who leave the School and are later readmitted pursuant to the U.S. Military Leave Readmissions Policy (discussed in the chapter Training at David Geffen School of Drama: A Policy Overview) will receive credit for all School 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 School 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 School.

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. To request a waiver, contact the Financial Aid Office for a parent waiver form. 

If I have 2024 tax information, can I submit that instead of 2023 information? 

2024 can be submitted, but you must provide 2023 tax information. 

Can I do more than 200 hours of work-study? 

200 hours of work-study is guaranteed for each student. The rate per hour in the 2024-2025 year was $21. Beyond the guaranteed hours, students may seek elective work-study hours to supplemental their earnings. 

Can I work outside of DGSD? 

Given the time requirements of classroom and conservatory training, we do not recommend engaging in outside work. In rare situations, outside work may be approved by your program chair and the Dean. 

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

We can provide a cost comparison to your competing offer. 

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. Work-study earnings are granted when worked.