2012 Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

The Greater New Orleans Drum Corps Association is happy to announce that the GNODCA Tuition Assistance Program has been renewed for the upcoming 2012 drum corps season, with one exciting change to the program. Applications are now open to all students marching in any competitive junior drum corps. The TAP committee realized that offering awards to one member in each of the Guard, Brass, and Percussion sections, as in previous years, denied the opportunity to offer tuition assistance to any drum majors. Elimination of the previous divisions allows us to award assistance to all members. For the 2012 season, awards in the amount of $500 each will be given to three members of any competitive junior drum and bugle corps.

We are now ready to begin receiving applications. Application deadline is January 31, 2012.

Click here to download the 2012 application.

FAQ

Q) Do I need to be a member to apply for tuition assistance?
A) No, you do not need to be a member to apply. However, you will be given an automatic membership to the GNODCA, should you be chosen as an award winner. Membership will be free for the first year.

Q) What are the GNODCA "qualifying activities" mentioned in the application?
A) For the 2012 season, the TAP committee has decided to reinstitute the qualifying activities requirement with one major change. Although you will not be required to attend any of our local fundraising events, we are now asking award recipients to participate in some form of community service that promotes the musical arts. One example for a service idea could be helping a local school band with practice or fundraising. Award winners can submit any idea for community service to the TAP committee for consideration.

Also, the GNODCA offers two qualifying activities to consider: marching a Mardi Gras parade or working the drink booth at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, which takes place during the last weekend in April and the first weekend of May. Both of these activities are fundraising events that help provide funding for things such as the Tuition Assistance Program. Along with helping to raise funds, these activities also provide you opportunities to meet other members of the association.

If you have any questions, please feel free to join our Forum and post your questions in the Tuition Assistance Program section.

Written by David Callaway

Meet our 2010 Tuition Assistance Award Winners.

Meet our 2009 Tuition Assistance Award Winners.