Accepted Students

Accepted students will be notified of their acceptance via email and will receive an official Acceptance Letter along with an Enrollment Packet, which includes the Enrollment Agreement, Physical Examination form, and other required documents.

A non-refundable enrollment deposit of $500.00 USD is required to hold a student’s position and is applied toward tuition.

Accepted forms of payment:

  • Check

  • Credit or debit card (3.5% administrative fee applies)

  • Bank wire transfer (transaction fees apply)

To pay the non-refundable enrollment deposit by credit card or wire transfer, please contact Elizabeth Dow, Admissions and Office Administrator, at edow@neighborhoodplayhouse.org.

Tuition Information

The Neighborhood Playhouse is committed to keeping professional actor training affordable. Standard tuition increases consistent with inflation may be expected.

2026 Six-Week Summer Intensive

June 8, 2026 – July 17, 2026

  • Application Fee: $75

  • Tuition Deposit: $500 (non-refundable)

  • Total Tuition: $4,350.00*
    (Includes $500 non-refundable deposit)

  • Acting on Pitch Elective: $600

Tuition Deadlines:

  • Domestic / Canadian: May 1, 2026

  • International: March 1, 2026

2026–2027 Two-Year Certificate Acting Program

September 14, 2026 – May 7, 2027

  • Application Fee: $75

  • Non-Refundable Enrollment Deposit: $500

First Year Tuition: $19,500*
(Includes $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit)

  • First Semester Payment: $9,500.00 — due June 1, 2026

  • Second Semester Payment: $9,500.00 — due December 1, 2026

Second Year Tuition: $20,000*
(Includes $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit)

  • First Payment: $9,750.00 — due July 24, 2026

  • Second Payment: $9,750.00 — due December 1, 2026

All tuition and fees must be paid by the specified deadlines prior to the beginning of each semester.
Tuition rates will be confirmed in January 2026.

Early Bird Tuition Discount:
Enroll by February 1, 2026 to qualify.

Payment Methods

Tuition and fees may be paid by:

  • U.S. bank check

  • U.S. money order

  • Bank wire transfer

  • Credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)

Applicants are responsible for all international, local bank, and transaction fees.
Credit and debit card payments incur a 3.5% administrative fee.

Estimated Cost of Living (First Year Only)

Estimated New York City living expenses:

  • Housing: $1,250/month — $11,250 total

  • Food: $585/month — $5,265 total

  • Transportation: $127/month — $1,143 total

  • Course Materials / Books: $400

Estimated Total Living Expenses: $18,058*

*Actual costs vary by student.

International Accepted Students

In addition to standard enrollment materials, international students will receive the Foreign Student Information form and International Student To-Do List.

The completed Foreign Student Information form must be returned with the Enrollment Agreement and tuition payment. This information is required by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security before the school can issue the I-20 SEVIS form.

More information is available at the Department of Homeland Security’s Study in the States website:
https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov

SEVIS & Visa Requirements

After receiving your I-20 SEVIS form, you must file Form I-901 and pay the required fee online at:
www.fmjfee.com

Information on Form I-901 is available via U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement:
https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901

Please note: As of July 31, 2013, SEVP no longer mails I-797C receipts. Payment confirmations must be printed directly from www.fmjfee.com.

Required Visa Documentation

International students must present the following (and any additional embassy-required items):

  • I-901 SEVIS fee receipt

  • I-20 SEVIS form

  • Valid passport

  • Birth certificate

  • Proof of finances demonstrating sufficient funds
    (Estimated at $2,000/month for tuition and living expenses)

Canadian citizens may follow an alternate F-1 process that does not always require a U.S. consulate appointment.

For assistance, contact Anthony Reimer, International Student Affairs:
areimer@neighborhoodplayhouse.org | 212-688-3770

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to eligible students in the full-time Professional Actor Training Program.
International students are generally not eligible for U.S. Federal Student Aid.

Visit our Financial Aid webpage for details.

Federal School Code: 00902900

Available Aid

Need-based:

  • Pell Grants

  • Subsidized Direct Loans

  • Unsubsidized Direct Loans

Non-need-based:

  • Unsubsidized Direct Loans

  • Direct PLUS Loans (for parents of eligible students)

Applying for Federal Aid

Submit a FAFSA online at:
www.fafsa.ed.gov

Help is available via 1-800-FED-AID.

Net Price Calculator

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS OUR NET PRICE CALCULATOR

For assistance, contact Anthony Reimer at areimer@neighborhoodplayhouse.org or 212-688-3770.

Return of Title IV Funds

Federal Title IV funds are subject to return if a student withdraws before completing more than 60% of scheduled coursework. Return amounts are calculated per U.S. Department of Education regulations using the R2T4 formula.

Detailed policies are available in the Student Handbook, distributed at Orientation and available online via the Financial Aid section of the website.

Gainful Employment Disclosure

The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre is classified as a Gainful Employment Program under Title IV regulations.

OPEID: 00902900
CIP Code: 50.0506
Program Title: 2-Year Program in Dramatic Art
Credential: Undergraduate Certificate
Program Length: 18 months (70 weeks over two years)

Related Occupations:
Actors (Stage, Film, Television, Radio), Directors, Producers, Agents, Talent Directors, Drama Teachers

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FULL GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURE

Scholarships

A number of scholarships funded by alumni and friends of The Neighborhood Playhouse are available. Awards are based on a combination of merit and financial need.

CLICK HERE FOR SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs receiving federal funding.

The Neighborhood Playhouse maintains a Title IX Grievance Policy in accordance with federal regulations.

Complaints may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator and/or local law enforcement.