The tuition price listed covers all costs associated with attending the program, including tuition, room, board (3 meals a day), and activity fees for things like field trips. Not included is the cost of traveling to and from the program.
2027 Summer Institute Tuition
Theatre Arts: (5 Weeks) $8,500
Film & Video: (5 Weeks) $8,500
Debate: (4 Weeks) TBA
Debate: (6 Weeks) TBA
Playwriting: (3 Weeks)TBA
We urge all students with need to apply for financial assistance. Do not miss out on this extraordinary opportunity due to financial constraints.
Other Fees:
Application Fee: $60 NHSI fee for first application; $30 fee for each subsequent application if applying to more than one concentration or division for the 2027 season.
International Students Only: $7.93/day for health insurance through NU’s Visiting Scholar Program (35 days total, begins on Arrival Day; final day of coverage is Departure Day)
If admitted and you accept your spot, we will create a student account for you which provides access to online billing. A $1,000 non-refundable tuition deposit will be required to secure your spot, due within 1 week of receiving your student account information. Once you’ve deposited, we will enroll you in the institute and that deposit will be credited toward your summer tuition. If you are applying for Financial Aid from the NHSI, you will not be required to make a deposit until you have been notified of your aid award; you may be offered a discounted deposit.
May 2, 2027: Tuition bill posts to student accounts - deposit & other payments will automatically apply to bill May 21, 2027: Remaining balance due - failure to submit full payment may result in your spot being offered to a student on the waitlist June 1, 2027: Last day to withdraw and receive a refund (minus the $1,000 deposit)
Withdraw on or before June 1, 2027: Full refund minus the non-refundable $1,000 deposit Withdraw after June 1, 2027: No refunds Early Departure or Dismissal from the program: No refunds
Financial Aid
Limited scholarships are available to students whose families demonstrate financial need. The NHSI uses the FACTS Financial Aid Application, a secure platform maintained by Nelnet, to assess financial need.
Students can indicate their intent to apply for financial aid when submitting their NHSI application. After applying, parents/guardians will receive instructions for completing the FACTS Financial Aid Application.
Financial aid applications are due on the same date as the NHSI admission application deadline.
The FACTS Financial Aid application requires:
$45 Application Fee
If this fee is prohibitively expensive, please email our office before submitting your FACTS application. We will make appropriate efforts to pay the fee on your behalf.
2025 Tax Information
2026 W-2's or other 2026 income documentation (once available)
International students seeking financial aid should be aware that funding is not available every year. For the 2027 season, we do not anticipate financial aid being available to international students.
Outside Funding Options
We encourage applicants to explore funding outside of the NHSI, as we can rarely offer full ride scholarships. Outside funding sources can make up the difference between an NHSI award and the full cost of attendance. Students may inquire with their school about Activities Funds, talk with the PTA, or local service clubs such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and AAUW. Past students have successfully run Go Fund Me and Kickstarter campaigns.
NHSI students have also been scholarship recipients from the following institutions:
The Joyce Ivy Foundation Summer Scholars Program provides scholarships for academically high-achieving young women who are high school students (currently in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade), and who wish to participate in a summer pre-college program.
The AQF Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to high school students who wish to attend a recognized pre-college, or summer intensive arts education program.
Eligible NHSI programs: Theatre Arts, Film & Video, & Playwriting
Application: Now open, with initial forms due November 30th, 2026
The ALW Initiative training scholarships go towards covering the costs associated with summer study in the theatrical arts (including performance, design, stage management, & writing).
Eligible NHSI programs: Theatre Arts, Playwriting
Application: Opens November 2, 2026; due in February, 2027