Academic All-American Awards

We are so excited to bring our Academic All-American Award and Scholarships back for 2026. 

Once again, we are opening the Academic All-American Award to all US-based An Chomhdhail dancers! We look forward to recognizing these student athletes at the 2026 North American Championships. At this time, the Scholarships are only open to USA IDA branch dancers. We thank you for understanding.

The USA Irish Dance Alliance (USA IDA) offers the Academic All-American Awards to honor dancers who excel both academically and in their dance pursuits. The Awards are available to students in grades 5 through college seniors. To qualify, dancers must maintain an academic average of 90 or higher (or a 3.5 GPA for college students) or provide proof of meeting academic goals.

Dancers may qualify for the award through one of two distinct pathways:

1. Academic Achievement: A GPA of 90 or higher, along with participation in the required number of feiseanna.

2. Individualized Education Plan (IEP/504 Plan): Evidence of meeting all academic goals as outlined in a 504 Plan or IEP, supported by a letter from a counselor, case manager, or principal, in addition to participation in the required number of

Dancers  must have also competed in a minimum number of USA IDA branch feiseanna to be considered competitive: 

• minimum 2 for grades level and college dancers 

• minimum 3 for pre-open and open

Dancers who meet the criteria through either pathway noted above are eligible to receive the Academic All-American Award for that year. Dancers from the USA IDA Branch may also apply for an age category scholarship, which requires submission of an essay and a letter of recommendation. 

To ensure privacy and fairness, only the dancer, their family, and one branch teacher reviewing the submissions will know which pathway was used to demonstrate academic achievement.

In addition to award certificates, the USA IDA offers five scholarships across various educational levels. Applicants for these scholarships must meet the eligibility criteria, submit an essay, and provide a letter of recommendation. Essays are reviewed by a panel of academics and educators based on factors such as addressing the prompt, originality, clarity, flow, spelling, and grammar.

Applications close at midnight on May 31st, 2026

Middle School Student Scholarship 2025-26 School Year

Available to students currently in grades 5-7 

Essay question 1: If a new dancer joined your class tomorrow, what are three things you would do to help them feel confident - and why?

OR

Essay question 2: What is something in Irish dance that you used to find difficult but can now do well? How did you improve?

Essays must be at least 350-500 words (about 1 page in length)

8th Grade Student Scholarship 2025-26 School Year

Available to students currently in 8th Grade
Essay question 1: What does being part of a dance school community mean to you? Describe a time when you truly felt like you belonged - or didn’t.

OR

Essay question 2: If you could change one thing about how dancers train or prepare for competitions, what would it be and why?

Essays must be 400-600 words

High School Student Scholarship 2025-26 School Year

Available to students currently in grades 9-11

Essay question 1: Describe a time when you had to choose between two priorities (for example: school, dance, friends, or family). How did you make the decision, and what did you learn?

OR

Essay question 2: In your opinion, what separates a good dancer from a great one? Use examples from your own experience.

Essays must be 500-700 words

High School Senior Scholarship 2025-26 School Year

Available to students currently High School Seniors
Essay question 1: How has your relationship with Irish dance changed over time? What role do you see it playing in your life moving forward?

OR

Essay question 2: What is one challenge facing Irish dance today, and how do you think dancers can be part of the solution?

Essays must be 600-800 words

College Student Scholarship 2025-26 School Year

Available to students currently studying at a college or university level

Essay question 1: Irish dance is evolving - through costuming, performance style, and competition. Do you think these changes are strengthening or weakening the tradition? Explain your perspective.

OR

Essay question 2: Describe a moment when your perspective on Irish dance changed. What caused that shift, and how did it impact you?

Essays must be 800-1000 words

Ready to submit? Here’s your checklist:

• Access Google Form link (below)

• Upload verification of GPA/grades or academic goals for the 2025-26 school year

• Upload scholarship essay (if relevant)

• Submit before May 31st deadline