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"I often think how lucky I was to be there as Trollwood began. Everyone there believed we could create whatever we could dream up." —Heidi Rose Robbins, TPAS alumna
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Fees

Fee Structure:

Trollwood Performing Arts School is a non-profit arts education organization. Our fee structure is built upon a basic fee level for each program that takes into account the faculty, supplies, equipment, facility, maintenance, administration and support costs required to provide a high standard of service. Depending upon where the primary parent/guardian of the student resides and pay taxes, various subsidies are utilized to offset these costs for each student.

For the past 30 years Trollwood Performing Arts School has strived to provide the highest quality arts education available to students in our region. Through rigorous, intensive arts education, students not only develop their skills in the arts, but also enhance their confidence, creativity, and communications and collaboration skills.

Quality in arts education comes at a cost, however. During much of our history, North Dakota public policy has supported subsidizing the costs of this summer school education program through tax generated payments allocated to the Department of Public Instruction. In recent years, shifts in regulations have resulted in reduced subsidies from tax-based sources in North Dakota. As a result, TPAS is forced to have the direct user pay for the services they receive.

Thanks to private funds raised by FutureBuilders in support of TPAS in Cass and Clay Counties, students residing in these areas receive a reduction in fees. Fees for students whose primary parent/guardian resides within the Fargo School District (note that school district boundaries differ from city boundaries) also are subsidized, in part, with support from the Fargo School District. Fargo students completing grades 10 & 11 and non-graduating seniors in Spring 2008, will be granted credit towards high school graduation for their studies at TPAS, and will be additionally partially subsidized through foundation aid payments from the North Dakota Dept. of Public Instruction.

What Fee To Pay:

Using the fee matrix:

Fee Matrix 08 (PDF)

  1. Find the column across the top of the matrix with your residence and grade level.

  2. Find which program(s) you are registering for this season along the left-hand side of the matrix. Pay attention to the eligible grade levels listed below each program title. Intersect your residence column with the program row to determine which fee to pay for that particular program. Tally the program fee for each program in which you are participating.

  3. Add up all your program fee(s) and any other fees to determine the balance owed.

Fee Payment:

Acceptable means of payment are cash, check or money order (payable to FutureBuilders), or by MasterCard/Visa. No registration will be processed without accompanying fee payment and parental signed registration form, unless prior arrangement has been made with the TPAS office.

Payment Options:

The student’s family may choose the fee payment plan that best meets their financial situation. Payment may be made in full at time of registration, students may apply for financial aid, or opt for a personalized plan, subject to prior approval from the TPAS office.

  1. Fee payment in full with completed form.

  2. Scholarship application submitted; awaiting funding notification. If funding is not granted or only partially granted, payment option 3 (personalized payment plan) will be automatically selected, and you will be contacted for payment arrangements.

  3. Personalized payment plan. Call the TPAS Business Manager at (701) 241-4799 to arrange terms.

Minnesota Students:

Minnesota residents may be able to deduct tuition expenses on their federal/state income taxes. Contact your tax advisor to discuss.

Refund Policy

TPAS planning, hiring, purchasing, and related expenses are directly determined by the number of enrollments. There-fore, no refunds will be made for early withdrawals, student program cancellations, student-initiated course(s) cancellation, or expulsion for disciplinary reasons, except as follows:

  1. If a student must withdraw early because of a documented family emergency, a prorated refund of program fee(s) will be paid.

  2. We reserve the right to cancel a class or program if enrollment is insufficient. Any fee paid for that class or program will be refunded in full.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

It is the belief of TPAS that no young person should be barred participation in TPAS programs due to inability to pay, so we will do our best to secure financial assistance or create accommodating payment schedules to permit participation for all interested students.

The purpose of TPAS’s Scholarship/Financial Aid program is to provide fee assistance to aspiring young artists/technicians, who may not otherwise have the means to attend TPAS.

Scholarships/Financial Aid are awarded on a competitive basis, taking into consideration the following criteria:

  1. Financial need of the student’s family: Need-based scholarships are available to families who would not otherwise be able to participate in our programs. Our criteria are based on the guidelines established by the Fargo Public School’s free and reduced-price lunch program. Preference will be given to students from Cass County, ND and Clay County, MN.

  2. Proficiency (taking into consideration talent, skills and merit) of the student.

  3. The need of TPAS to strengthen sections or departments after regular enrollments are completed. Every applicant will be given due consideration as funds are awarded, but because of the number of applicants and limited amount of funding, every applicant may not receive funding. All applicants are encouraged to seek other possible sources of funding within their communities.

Note: If scholarship/financial aid request is not fully granted, various payment plans are available to anyone who prefers to split up their program fee balance into multiple installments. No application is required; simply check the appropriate payment option box on the registration form or speak to the TPAS Business Manager to make these arrangements.

Application Process

For a scholarship/financial aid application form, contact the TPAS office, (701) 241-4799. Forms may also be downloaded (see below).

Round One
For full consideration, scholarship/financial aid application must be received in the TPAS office no later than Monday, May 12 by 5:00 pm. Students must submit a completed and signed registration form for 2008 TPAS program(s) to be eligible for aid consideration. Priority will be given to applications received in Round One.

Round Two
Held only if funds are available at the close of Round One. To be considered for any remaining funds to be distributed in a second round, scholarship/financial aid application must be received in the TPAS office no later than Wednesday, May 28 by 5:00 pm. Students must submit a completed and signed registration form for 2008 TPAS program(s) to be eligible for aid consideration.