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Top 83 Music Scholarships in May 2024

Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

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Music is such a passion for certain students that they want to make a career out of doing what they love. While a career as a music teacher is rewarding for many, there are other options, including audio engineering, video game sound design, and music therapy. Whatever musical career path you decide upon, you can undoubtedly use a few scholarships to help fund your education.

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The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies:

• The scholarship requires a fee to apply
• The scholarship provider’s privacy policy allows for the misuse of student data
• The scholarship requires paid membership in an organization (with certain exceptions for reputable trade organizations and others)
• Student are required to sign up for a site or service to apply*
• The scholarship seems primarily used for lead generation** or idea harvesting purposes***
• The scholarship website has many grammatical errors and/or advertisements
• The scholarship or scholarship providing organization seem untrustworthy
• There is no evidence the scholarship was previously awarded
• The scholarship has not been awarded in the past 12 months
• There is no available contact information

If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!

* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system. ** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements. ***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.

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Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

Offered by From The Top

Are you a musician between the ages 8 and 18? If so, consider applying for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award! The scholarship is… Show More

Are you a musician between the ages 8 and 18? If so, consider applying for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award! The scholarship is open to pre-collegiate music students who need financial help to offset the costs of studying classical music at a high level in the United States. Applicants must be classical instrumentalists, vocalists, or composers with strong musical ability and a willingness to participate in the Learning and Media Lab Fellowship. Twenty lucky students are chosen each year to earn up to $10,000 to cover instrument purchases, summer camp tuition, college audition travel expenses, private lessons, and other music-related needs. If you're a pre-collegiate musician passionate about your musical education, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

“Creativity Takes Courage” Scholarship for Art Students This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Scholarships360

This award is open to students studying any form of visual and/or performing arts who write an essay expressing their views on creativity and courage.… Show More

This award is open to students studying any form of visual and/or performing arts who write an essay expressing their views on creativity and courage. The French artist Henri Matisse once said, “another word for creativity is courage.” Artists can be loved and appreciated for their work, but they also have the potential to be criticized and rejected. Releasing art into the world involves overcoming fear and self-doubt. Even the most successful artists grapple with questions like “am I good enough?” or “will people like this?” If you’re a creative student who has ever struggled with these questions, we encourage you to apply for this scholarship! See the “Application Information” section below for details regarding the essay prompt. Please note that applicants will be reviewed based on both the quality of their essay and quantity of scholarships applied for on the Scholarships360 platform. Scholarships360 users who are more active on the platform will be given higher consideration. We look forward to reading your application! Show Less

Gucci Changemakers North America Scholarship

Offered by Gucci

Are you a current or incoming college student planning to major in design, marketing, art, film, communications, or another creative field? If so, consider applying… Show More

Are you a current or incoming college student planning to major in design, marketing, art, film, communications, or another creative field? If so, consider applying for the Gucci Changemakers North America Scholarship! The scholarship is open to diverse students pursuing an undergraduate degree in a creative field in North America. The scholarship is offered by the leading Italian fashion brand Gucci in order to increase inclusion and diversity within the fashion industry as well as across communities and cities. Since March 2019, the fund has aimed to support and empower a new era of diverse artists looking to gain experiences across the fashion industry. Each year, recipients earn up to $20,000 to help pay for tuition, educational expenses, as well as room and board costs. If you are passionate about a career in design, art, or other creative areas and are looking for some help with college expenses, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high… Show More

The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to go to college, a graduate student who’s in a master’s program, or an adult learner who wants to return to school, you are eligible for our no essay scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to students who get the most out of Scholarships360 scholarships and content. You will be a strong applicant if you apply to scholarships with the Scholarships360 platform. Finalists for this scholarship will be interviewed about their process for funding their education. Show Less

$2,000 Sallie Mae Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for…

Sallie Mae will award $2,000 each month to eligible entrants. No essay or account sign-ups, just a simple scholarship for those seeking help paying for school.

ASCAP Foundation Leiber & Stoller Scholarship for Songwriters

Offered by American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) Foundation

Are you a college-bound high school senior who will be majoring in music and is an aspiring songwriter, musician, or vocalist? If so, consider applying… Show More

Are you a college-bound high school senior who will be majoring in music and is an aspiring songwriter, musician, or vocalist? If so, consider applying for the ASCAP Foundation Leiber & Stoller Scholarship for Songwriters! Each year, the scholarship awards $2,500 to the applicant who submits the best original song. The scholarship may be received for up to four years, allowing recipients to earn a total of $10,000 over the course of a four-year undergraduate program. If you're an aspiring musician in your final year of high school, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

$40,000 Build a College List Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The College Board

Create a college list with six schools you're considering - no minimum GPA or essay required!

Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship

Offered by Against the Grain Productions

Are you a high school senior or college student of at least 25% Asian of Pacific Islander heritage who is (or will be) pursuing a… Show More

Are you a high school senior or college student of at least 25% Asian of Pacific Islander heritage who is (or will be) pursuing a major in a performing or visual art field, journalism, and/or mass communications? If so, the Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to an Asian/Pacific Islander applicant with an impressive artistic portfolio and thoughtful essay about their art. The scholarship is funded by Against the Grain Productions, an organization dedicated to promoting leadership, unity, and artistry in the Asian American community. If you would like to display your artwork while receiving financial help for college, we encourage you to apply! Show Less

Niche $25,000 “No Essay” Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Niche

Easy scholarship open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year!

Hartford Jazz Society Scholarship

Offered by Hartford Jazz Society Inc.

The Hartford Jazz Society Scholarship is calling all music majors with a passion for jazz who reside in the Connecticut Capitol Region. To be considered,… Show More

The Hartford Jazz Society Scholarship is calling all music majors with a passion for jazz who reside in the Connecticut Capitol Region. To be considered, applicants must provide two letters of reference, with one coming from a music teacher or school music director. Don't miss out on this opportunity to showcase your love for jazz and receive financial support for your education. Show Less

Lessons In Your Home Scholarship

Offered by Lessons In Your Home

The Lessons In Your Home Scholarship is an opportunity for college students to pursue their passion for music. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a… Show More

The Lessons In Your Home Scholarship is an opportunity for college students to pursue their passion for music. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a U.S. institution and studying aspects of music, music business, performance, or production (major or minor in any music school program.). High school seniors are also welcome to apply. To be considered, applicants must provide proof of enrollment, an essay, and any other necessary information. This $500 scholarship can only be used for educational expenses including tuition, books, rooming, and other appropriate expenses. Don't miss out on this chance to further your music education! Show Less

$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Bold.org

Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.

Jim Ott Scholarship

Offered by Sponsors of Musical Enrichment

Are you a current or incoming undergraduate student who is a part of Drum Corps and is or will be majoring in music in college?… Show More

Are you a current or incoming undergraduate student who is a part of Drum Corps and is or will be majoring in music in college? If so, you may be eligible for the Jim Ott Scholarship! This scholarship, named in honor of the legendary Jim Ott, renowned for his brilliant brass arrangements for Drum & Bugle Corps such as the Stockton Commodores, Concord Blue Devils, and Spirit of Atlanta Drum & Bugle Corps, annually awards $5,000 to one impressive current or incoming college student who is part of a Drum Corps. If this sounds like a good opportunity for you, and you'd like to honor Jim's legacy, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Nick & Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship

Offered by Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans

The Nick & Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship annually awards up to $6,500 to multiple college sophomores and upperclassmen of Italian heritage who reside in Illinois.… Show More

The Nick & Helena Patti Foundation Scholarship annually awards up to $6,500 to multiple college sophomores and upperclassmen of Italian heritage who reside in Illinois. Preference will be given to those who (a) are pursuing a degree in music or education or (b) were orphaned or raised in a foster home. If you're a college student of Italian heritage from Illinois, and you are pursuing a degree in music or education or were orphaned or raised in a foster home, we encourage you to apply. Keep on reading for more application details! Show Less

$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by CollegeXpress

Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors.

Carol and Jonathan Price Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship

Offered by Bedford County Arts Council

Are you a college-bound high school senior from Bedford County, Tennesee with a demonstrated passion for any art form? If so, the Carol and Jonathan… Show More

Are you a college-bound high school senior from Bedford County, Tennesee with a demonstrated passion for any art form? If so, the Carol and Jonathan Price Memorial Fine Arts Scholarship may be a great opportunity for you! Each year, the scholarship awards $1,000 to one (1) young artist currently in their final year of high school at any school in Bedford County, Tennesee. Eligible art forms include: Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Music, Theatrical Arts, or Dance. To be considered for the scholarship, interested students must submit a resume, a 750-word essay, one recommendation from a teacher or coach in their artistic area/genre, and examples or a small portfolio of their art. If you're a Bedford County (Tennesee) high school senior with a passion for art, we encourage you to apply! Keep on reading to learn more. Show Less

Manhattanville Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship

Offered by Manhattanville College

The Manhattanville Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship is one of Manhattanville College's Merit Scholarships that is exclusively open to full-time, first-year and transfer students at… Show More

The Manhattanville Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship is one of Manhattanville College's Merit Scholarships that is exclusively open to full-time, first-year and transfer students at Manhattanville College who have an interest in pursuing a career in the fine and performing arts. Eligible arts include Dance, Musical Theatre, Studio Art, and Theatre. While students pursuing Dance, Musical Theatre, or Theatre must submit an audition, it is not required (only recommended) for those applying to the Art (Studio) Program. As the requirements for each specific type of visual/performing art scholarship slightly differ, we recommend checking out the audition and portfolio requirements for more information. Show Less

$1,000 Appily Easy College Money Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Appily

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be… Show More

This easy scholarship from Appily is open to U.S. high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, 2027) and college transfer students. One scholarship will be awarded each month. Show Less

Micky Golomb Memorial Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by The Jazz Society of Fairfield County

Are you a budding jazz musician living in Fairfield County, Connecticut? If so, we strongly encourage you to apply for the Micky Golomb Memorial Scholarship!… Show More

Are you a budding jazz musician living in Fairfield County, Connecticut? If so, we strongly encourage you to apply for the Micky Golomb Memorial Scholarship! The Jazz Society of Fairfield County offers up to $5,000 for tuition assistance to students who are enrolled in a music degree program and dedicated to pursuing a career in jazz performance and/or jazz education. About Micky Golomb Myron “Micky” Golomb was a well-regarded saxophonist, educator and habitué of the Jazz Society’s Thursday evening sessions. The Society established the scholarship to honor Micky’s memory through financial support of deserving student musicians in Fairfield County. Show Less

$5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship This scholarship has been verified by the scholarship providing organization.

Offered by Christian Connector

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian…

Students applying to the $5,000 Christian Connector Scholarship must be current high school students (Class of 2025, 2026, or 2027) interested in attending a Christian university or college.

Top 3 scholarships for music students overall

We’ve hand-picked the following scholarships based on the strong reputation of their organizations, the value of the awards, and being open to a wide number of students. Apply with confidence to these 3 top scholarships for music students:

• Gucci Changemakers North America Scholarship – For current or incoming college students majoring in marketing, art, design, film, communications, or other creative fields. Worth $20,000
• Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award – For musicians between the ages 8 and 18 who plan to study classical music at a high level in the United States. Worth $10,000
• Ocean Awareness Scholarship – For students aged 11-18 who submit writing, artwork, or a dance piece about the importance of conserving the ocean. Worth $1,500

Whether you are interested in pursuing an education in composition or performing arts, in classical music, world music, rock, jazz, funk, or any type of genre, we’ve got scholarships for you. Keep on reading to learn more about our top music scholarships including eligibility, award amount, and application deadlines!

How to win music scholarships

Like any type of scholarship, music scholarships receive a lot of applications. To stand out and win a scholarship, you’ll have to put a lot of thought into your essays and application materials. Before you begin applying, try sitting down and doing some reflection. Think about what has led you to pursue a music education, and how you work your background, upbringing, and culture into your work.

If you have already completed your own projects or been a member of an ensemble, think about how these experiences have shaped your goals and demonstrated your potential. Consider the change you hope to make in the world through your music, where you want to be in 5 years, and how you plan to get there.

Next it’s time to get your brainstorming down on paper. Don’t worry about grammar or succinctness here, just get your ideas on the page in bullet points or sentence fragments or whatever feels most natural to you. Once you begin writing your essays, these notes will come in handy often.

Also see:  Top summer music programs for high school students

Writing a great essay

Writing a great scholarship essay is a unique craft that takes some time to get used to. Luckily, we can help you do it through guides on how to write a winning scholarship essay , how to start and end your essay, and how to write about yourself . We can also help you respond to common scholarship essay prompts , including “ Why do you deserve this scholarship? ” Finally, check out our guides to tailoring your writing to 250 or 500 word limits.

Resources for music students

Delta omicron.

Delta Omicron is an international business fraternity for music students of all gender identities. They have chapters at many colleges throughout the country and facilitate lectures, recitals, networking opportunities, and much more.

American Music Therapy Association

The AMTA is a national organization that helps support and develop the field of music therapy all across the country. Student membership is only $95 per year and comes with perks such as literature from the organization, networking opportunities, and trainings.

Need-based financial aid for music students

If you are a current or prospective music major, you may also qualify for need-based financial aid through your college or through the government. There are two major financial aid applications you should know about:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) which is how students can access financial aid through the government. This financial aid can include federal student loans, Federal SEOG Grants , and Pell Grants .
• CSS Profile which is how some colleges and universities award institutional financial aid.

Be sure to check-in with your college to see what applications are required for need-based financial aid.

Frequently asked questions about music scholarships

Do i need to major in music for music scholarships, can i get music scholarships for all types of music, are there music scholarships for both playing and composing, can i get a scholarship for music production, do colleges offer music scholarships, what instrument is most likely to get a scholarship, other scholarship categories to explore.

• Top art scholarships
• Scholarships for vocalists
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The 10 Best Music Scholarships for High School Students

Musicians are driven by talent, dedication, and sheer passion for their art. They want to constantly improve, enhance their skills and widen their repertoire of works. 

They love to learn, which is why hundreds of artists flock to music schools each year.

But as much as musicians don’t like to admit it, these schools require a lot more than passion. They also require money.

Fortunately, thousands of dollars in scholarship money are made available every year. These scholarships vary greatly in awards and requirements.

Some want only a recording of the applicant playing their instrument, while others want paperwork and letters of recommendation. Some pay enough to cover fees and materials, while others cover the cost of the entire program.

In short, there’s a scholarship out there for the type of musician and need. You just need to know where to look for them.

This list covers the ten best music scholarships for high school students. Some of these scholarships focus on a specific genre of music or quality of the performer and some are available to just certain styles or musicians.

But you’re sure to find a perfect scholarship for the music lover in your life, so they can stop worrying about money and get back to the thing that makes them happiest: playing music.

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

Presented by the NPR program From the Top as well as the Media Lab Fellowship, the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artis t award provides up to $10,000 in scholarship money to 20 musicians each year.

Winners receive not only money to pay for their college education, but also the opportunity to perform on From the Top .

Judges assess applications according to both their demonstrated musical ability and their financial need. For that reason, applications must include a recording of two musical performances as well as two recent tax forms from the musician’s family. Applicants must also provide contact information for two music teachers.

With this information, judges look at an applicant’s ability and need, as well as their educational engagement and creativity.

All materials must be received by November 22 nd of each year. Winners will be announced early the next year and will be invited to perform on From the Top that same year.

Ocean Awareness Contest

Musicians who want to defend the environment should consider the Ocean Awareness Contest . Presented by Blue Seat, an environmental nonprofit group, the Ocean Awareness Contest invites submissions based on an innovative theme introduced each year.

In 2022, Blue Seat asked for submissions based on the theme, “The Funny Thing About Climate Change.” 

Musicians respond to the theme by creating a unique and humorous piece that invites audiences to take a fresh look at the issue of climate change. Judges hope to see submissions that make audiences laugh and think about the problem.

Winners receive awards ranging from $250 for honorable mentions all the way to $1500 for the first prize. Recordings must be submitted to Blue Seat by June 13 th each year.

SB&O Scholarship Essay Contest

Presented by School Band & Orchestra Magazine , the SB&O Scholarship Essay Contest offers $1000 to five high school students. The contest asks each applicant a very simple question: Why did you join band and why do you stick with it?

The answer to that question must be no more than 250 words long.

Past winners have come from all over the United States, including Texas, Florida, and North Carolina.

Applications must be submitted by April 30 th each year. The winners will be announced in the June issue of SB&O Magazine .

The President’s Own Concerto Competition

The United States Marine Corps is known for accepting the few and the proud. That tradition extends beyond soldiers and to musicians as well.

The President’s Own United States Marine Band, a part of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, hosts an annual Concerto Competition for high school musicians . 

Winners will be invited to appear as guest soloists with the Marine Band. They will also be awarded scholarships ranging from $2500 for the first prize to $1000 and $500 for the second and third prize.

To enter, high school musicians must record themselves performing a selection from the official repertory list. They should be accompanied by piano or a band/orchestra.

The video, as well as an application and letter of recommendation, must be submitted by November 15 th . Finalists will be notified by January 1 st of the following year.

VSA International Young Soloists Award

For many young musicians, playing at the Kennedy Center is a dream too great to even consider. But for winners of the VSA International Young Soloists Award , that dream can be a reality.

The program invites applications from high school musicians with disabilities. Winners receive a chance to play at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and $2000 in scholarship money.

The contest is open to any disabled high school musician, whether solo or in a band or ensemble. Applicants must provide a recording of no more than ten minutes, showcasing their best work.

Applications are due on March 14 th of each year . Winners will be selected by a jury and announced later in the year.

YoungArts National Arts Competition

Designed to encourage artistic excellence on a national level, YoungArts is supported by the White House Commission on Presidential Scholars. 

Every year, the Commission awards YoungArts honors to twenty students, recognizing their academic and artistic achievements.

These awards range from $1000 to $10000 in scholarship money, mentorship, and career connections.

The competition is open to musicians majoring in a wide range of classical instruments , from accordion and piano to double-bass and harpsichord. Applicants must provide a video of four performances, involving a selection of works provided by the Commission.

The deadline for the YoungArts National Arts Competition is October 15 th of each year. The period for submitting applications will be announced every year on the YoungArts website.

Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter of the Year Scholarship

Most scholarship applications are solo affairs, but most musicians practice their art collaboratively. The Chapter of the Year Scholarship offered by the Tri-M Music Honor Society recognizes this group effort by providing awards to an entire Junior and Senior Chapter.

To apply, chapters must design a project that engages their community. The project should be of academic, musical, and communal value. It should reflect the Tri-M values of leadership and service.

Applications for this award are due by April 29 th of each year . Representatives and winners will evaluate them will be announced later in the year.

The winning chapter will receive $1000 in scholarship money, while the first and second runners-up will receive $800 and $600, respectively.

Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship

The Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship provides financial support to Asian American musicians in any form of performing arts. Winners receive $1000 in tuition money to help them pursue a degree in music.

To apply, you must have at least 25% Asian or Pacific Islander ethnicity, as well as a 3.0 or higher GPA. The application includes transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and an interview with judges.

But the most important part of the application is recordings of the applicant’s best work. Judges also require a short explanation of the provided work, including its overall artistic significance.

All of these materials must be submitted by May 31 st of each year .

Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship

For African American or Black musicians currently attending high school in an area represented by a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, the Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship may be available.

Ten scholarships of $5000 each are awarded by the CBC to students working towards a degree in any one of the performing arts, such as dance, drama, and music.

The application process involves the submission of a two-minute performance video and a five-minute personal statement video.

In the former, students provide a record of their best work. In the latter, they explain how the award will help them achieve their goals.

Additionally, students must also submit an application, transcript, and two letters of recommendation.

The CBC makes their Performing Arts Scholarship available between January 3 rd and April 30 th of each year.

Berklee Presidential Scholarship

The Berklee Conservatory is world-renowned as one of the best places for musicians to learn their trade. But not everyone has the ability to go to Boston to study at Berklee, nor can they afford tuition.

The Berklee Presidential Scholarship seeks to address both of those problems.

This award is great for students interested in applying to Berklee College of Music, as it covers the entire cost of tuition. Only a small handful are given out each year.

Instead of applying for a Berklee Presidential Scholarship, potential winners are automatically considered upon submission of their application to Berklee. They are then assessed by Berklee representatives, who consider the student’s talent and financial need.

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20 Best Scholarships for Music Students to Apply For in 2024

Pursuing a degree in college can be pretty costly. For college students pursuing music education, there may be additional charges like instrument repair and maintenance costs for instrumentalists or special tea for vocalists.

One of the best ways graduating high school seniors can save money to achieve a college education is by looking into college scholarships, cash scholarships, or what scholarships are awarded to students offered by a college or university.

Read on for our list of scholarships for music education students to help you get a head-start on that music education.

Best Music Scholarships to Apply to

There are various scholarships, such as full-tuition scholarships, an art scholarship, and a scholarship program for deserving students who need financial aid when it comes to being able to attend college or university. Read on for scholarships and scholarship resources to help you achieve that music education.

About Music Scholarships

Unlike other academic majors, when graduating high school seniors who want to pursue a music education or a performing arts degree, they must apply to both the college or university and the music school. This process means that, in addition to regular application fees, high school students also have to worry about any extra costs that may arise while preparing for and auditioning for the music school.

Music scholarships can help cover these extra costs, primarily if multiple auditions exist. These scholarships can continue alleviating some of the financial obligations associated with higher education. 

What are Music Scholarships?

Music scholarships are financial awards that are given to students who are studying music. These can go to students who are non-performers like music education majors or music business majors, or they can be awarded to performance majors who are instrumentalists or vocalists. 

They can also go to college students who attend college for performing arts, music composition, choral music, an arts training program, or any other varying degrees relating to arts and music.

What Qualifies as a Music Scholarship?

Any scholarship created for or only open to music students is a music scholarship. Commonly these scholarships require an audition piece to showcase the student’s musical ability, but there are music scholarships that require essays or other types of submissions. 

Types of Music Scholarships Available

Music and other performing arts students can qualify for many types of financial aid. Some are exclusive to music students, while others are available to all students.

Merit 

Merit scholarships are financial awards not based on financial need but a student’s demonstrable ability. You must display your ability to excel in your musical skill for music students. For example, if you are a choral music student, you may submit a list of groups you have sung with, which can include music clubs or church music ministry, or audition for the scholarship directly. 

Private Scholarships 

Businesses, organizations, or clubs fund these to cover school costs. These can be local, regional, or national-level scholarships depending on the size of the group awarding the scholarship. 

Academic 

Even though you are going to school to study music, music schools have their application process from the university, which means that you are still eligible for academic scholarships that your college or university may give. 

These scholarships are based on the student’s academic achievements, which their GPA or standardized test scores can determine. 

How to Find Music Scholarships to Apply for?

Looking for scholarships can be a complex and lengthy process, especially if you don’t know where to start. But, many scholarship resources are available to help students find scholarships they qualify for.

The internet is the best place to start if you need help looking for scholarships. Many websites are dedicated to collecting and showcasing scholarships to needy students. These websites are helpful because you can filter out scholarships you know you won’t qualify for. 

Your advisor, professors, or other students within your major or degree program are also great resources for finding scholarships. These people are likely familiar with scholarships that your school sponsors or may not be super popular, making your chances of winning better.

1st Generation People Of Color Patrick Copney Memorial Music/Arts Scholarship

In honor of Patrick Copney’s deep love for music and art, this memorial scholarship seeks to provide two students with $1,000 each.

Students in New York are eligible to apply if they are first-generation college students earning a music or arts degree (music majors) and are African-American high school or undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds.

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 30, 2022

WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship

This scholarship’s goal is “to create a world where the contributions of all artists are embraced by the artistic community regardless of background or culture.”

To help reach this ideal, this scholarship to provide $1,000 to five graduating high school seniors attending college and studying the arts in higher education.

• Application Deadline: July 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 1, 2022

Carl’s Music Matters Scholarship

To encourage high school graduating seniors who are aspiring musicians to pursue their creative goals, this scholarship will award one student $500 to help with costs associated with college or university.

• Application Deadline: February 21, 2023
• Winner Announced: March 21, 2023

Henry D. Teuteberg Memorial Music Scholarship

This memorial scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Henry D. Teuteberg by providing $1,000 to high school graduating seniors in Wisconsin interested in studying music in college or university.

• Application Deadline: July 4, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 4, 2022

Chang Heaton Scholarship for Music Excellence

A ims to support first-generation Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students pursuing careers in music and theater by awarding five students $505 each.

• Amount: $505
• Application Deadline: June 25, 2022
• Winner Announced: July 25, 2022

Jacob Naumann Memorial Scholarship

To honor the life of Jacob Naumann, this scholarship seeks to assist full-time college students pursuing a career in music or music programs.

Open to high school seniors, juniors, and graduate students enrolled in a college or university in Missouri or Illinois. It is also available to college or university undergraduate students in Missouri or Illinois.

• Amount: $2,000
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 31, 2022

Grant Woolard Memorial Scholarship

This memorial scholarship aims to honor the life of Grant Woodard and his love of music by awarding $1300 to a student pursuing a degree in music or a foreign language.

This scholarship is open to high school students, college or university undergraduates, and graduate students in a music education program.

• Amount: $1,300

Small Seed Big Flower Scholarship

Sponsored by Bold.org , it aims to support first-generation BIPOC undergraduate students by providing $1,015 to a student who needs financial aid.

• Amount: $1,015
• Application Deadline: November 15, 2022
• Winner Announced: December 15, 2022

Glider AI-Omni Inclusive Allies of LGBTQ+ (GOAL+) Scholarship

To eliminate some of the barriers LGBTQ+ students face when pursuing higher education, this scholarship seeks to provide $1,750 to four students to help them with their educational goals.

• Amount: $1,750

Bold.org Ambassador “Celebrating Summer” Scholarship

Summer is here! Start your summer vacation by getting a jump start on covering your college costs. This is a no-essay scholarship, so students who apply earlier will have a better chance of winning.

• Winner Announced: July 22, 2022

Bold Optimist Scholarship

Can you keep a smile on your face in the face of adversity? You have a chance to be awarded $500 for being a positive person.

This is an essay scholarship, which has a low word count. This scholarship is excellent for high school seniors applying last minute.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: July 14, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 14, 2022

First-Year College Students: Jennie Gilbert Daigre Education Scholarship

Even if you study music, you must pick up a textbook or two from your university’s bookstore. This scholarship intends to provide $500 to a college or university undergraduate student to cover the cost of books.

Supermom Scholarship

To acknowledge and support the unique needs of single mothers, this scholarship will award $2,000 to an undergraduate or graduate student who either is a single mother or has been directly impacted by one.

• Application Deadline: August 31, 2022

Affordable College Prep’s First Time Winners Scholarship

Applying for scholarships and financial aid can be a long process, especially if you haven’t done so before or haven’t received any luck with scholarships.

If you are a high school student who has never won a scholarship, this scholarship asks you to write about what you’ve learned from the application process to win $500.

• Application Deadline: November 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: December 1, 2022

Mental Health Matters Scholarship

Leaders can struggle too. This scholarship seeks to support students who have worked on their mental health and are active in their community. The scholarship is $500 and is available to high school students, college or university students, or graduate students who have struggled with and overcome mental health issues.

ProjectGiveBack Scholarship for Black Women

This scholarship intends to highlight young Black women who have demonstrated excellent leadership skills and a commitment to give back to the Black community.

The $2000 financial award will be split between two winners chosen by a panel of Black women.

• Application Deadline: July 26, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 26, 2022

Lee Avenatti Memorial Scholarship

This $2,500 memorial scholarship is open to any self-identified LGBTQIA+ high school student or undergraduate student who is motivated and passionate. It has a history of time spent in a group home or foster care.

• Amount: $2,500

Francis “Slip” Madigan Scholarship

The unique challenges first-generation college or university students face can make it difficult to pursue higher education. To combat this, this scholarship seeks to award $1,000 to a high school senior in Massachusetts who will be a first-generation college student.

Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to award $600 to a high school senior or college or university student involved in their community and who wishes to pursue a degree, certificate, or trade school in the field they are passionate about it is music education or vocal performance education.

• Amount: $600

Michael J. Burns Military Children Scholarship

To honor the life of Michael J. Burns, this memorial scholarship pays homage to his legacy of giving by awarding $1,000 to one student from a military family who needs financial assistance to pursue their educational goals.

Marcarelli Community Spirit Scholarship

To celebrate students who are active community members, this scholarship aims to award $1,000 to two high school graduating seniors who live in Maryland and are involved in their school or district through athletics, volunteer work, or related activities.

• Application Deadline: March 30, 2023
• Winner Announced: April 30, 2023

Tips for Winning Music Scholarships

So now you know where to look for scholarships, but how do you make sure you get chosen? Well, there is no way to guarantee that you’ll win all the scholarships you apply for, but you can increase your chances. 

If you are preparing for a scholarship that requires an audition, ensures that everything else that comes with auditioning is taken care of and your sound. Have your outfit, travel plans, and any other arrangements planned and handled before your audition. 

For scholarships that require an essay, make sure that your essay answers all parts of the prompt. Look for ramblings or extra information that doesn’t pertain to the subject of the prompt. Also, make sure that your writing is clear and engaging. Having a boring and hard-to-read essay is an easy way to lose the sponsor’s attention when they try to read your response. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Music Scholarships

Still, have some questions about scholarships for music students? Here are some additional questions that you might have.

Are Music scholarships legit?

Music scholarships are legit. Of course, you may run into some scholarships that are shady or otherwise too good to be true. Ensure you are careful during your scholarship search, especially online, and never give out any sensitive information. 

How can I improve my chances of winning Music scholarships?

Playing to your strengths is an excellent way to increase your chances of winning music scholarships. If you are a better writer than a musician, apply for more scholarships that require essays. If you are a better musician than a writer, try applying for more scholarships that allow you to send audition tapes.

How many music scholarships can you get?

There is no limit to how many music scholarships you can get. However, scholarships sponsored by a specific music school usually require you to attend that school if you accept the award, so there are limits to the number of those scholarships you can have. 

Are Music scholarships taxable income?

If you spend the money on school, your scholarship awards will not be considered taxable income. 

What’s the best way to apply for Music scholarships?

Applying online is likely one of the easiest ways to apply for scholarships. You can find and filter the scholarships you apply for as well as keep track of these scholarships after you apply. Other students who are using it at the same time can also share links to scholarships they think you would have a good chance of winning.

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Scholarships for Music Majors

We’ve worked hard to compile this list from many sources since we know scholarships for music majors are difficult to find. The list is updated with new opportunities and new deadlines as quickly as we can get the information, so visit often.

When you apply for music scholarships –

1. Check scholarship deadlines carefully. Make sure your application arrives before the deadline.

2. Be sure to include all of the information requested. You will be considered based on the thoroughness of your application.

3. Note that while some of these are small scholarships, several small scholarships can add up to a significant chunk of tuition costs.

Link to Participating Music School Scholarship Info

Independent Music Scholarships

Against the Grain Several scholarships for students who are at least 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity. Application deadline: May 31

American Association of University Women Fellowships and grants for graduate school. Application deadline: November

American Association of University Women International Fellowships Graduate school support for women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Must have equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree to apply. Application deadline: November

American Indian College Fund Scholarships for enrolled members of federal or state recognized tribes or descendants of at least one grandparent or parent who is an enrolled tribal member or Native Corporation member (AK). Application deadline: May 31

American Legion Legacy Scholarships Scholarships for offspring of U.S. military members. Several options. Application deadline: March 1

ASCAP Foundation Scholarships Several scholarships available in many areas of music. Check with the financial aid office at your school to see if a scholarship is available and if you are eligible. Application deadlines vary by program

Associated Male Choruses of America Annual scholarships for music majors enrolled in undergraduate college-level music programs. Voice/choral majors preferred. Application deadline: March 1

Blackburn Memorial Composition Competition $1000 grand prize for a composition by a female student composer (enrolled in an accredited college, university or graduate music program). Application deadline: April 30 2023

BMI Foundation Scholarships Several scholarships available in several areas of music including film/tv/video game composing; classical composing; songwriting in several genres. Application deadlines vary by program.

Boettcher Foundation Scholarships For Colorado high school seniors nominated for excellence in academics, leadership, and community service. Includes tuition, room, board, stipend to be used at colleges in Colorado. DACA and Colorado ASSET applicants will be considered. Application deadline: November 1 of senior year

Chopin Foundation of the U.S. Gives up to ten renewable scholarships of $1000 each to pianists age 14 – 17. Application deadline: May 15

Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarships for high school seniors. Application deadline: October 1

D’Addario Foundation – Kevin Garren Scholarship For college juniors, seniors or grad students in Music Business or Woodwind Performance. Renewable for up to 4 years. Minimum 3.0 GPA. Application deadline: July 15

Davidson Fellows Scholarships are awarded to “extraordinary young people, 18 and under, who have completed a significant piece of work” in several areas including music. Application deadline: February

Dell Scholars Program For grades 11 & 12, need-based, not specifically for music students. Application deadline: December 1

Doris & Clarence Glick Classical Music Scholarship For Hawaiian students majoring in music with a focus on classical music and attending a nonprofit college in the US. Must demonstrate financial need and have a GPA of 2.7 or higher. Application deadline: February 28

Edward Hosharian Foundation For students of Armenian descent who want to study music. Application deadline: May 1

Evalee C. Schwarz Charitable Trust for Education Interest-free loans for students who demonstrate high academic performance and financial need. Application deadline: early April

FASTWEB Generic scholarships for high school, college, grad school and returning students. Categories include ethnicities, LGBTQ, veterans and many others. Application deadlines vary by program.

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Financial support for study abroad for a semester or a full year, for currently enrolled undergraduates. Application deadline: February 7

Gates Scholarship Full college tuition for Pell-eligible, high-achieving minority high school seniors. Application deadline: September

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarships $10,000 scholarships for college for high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in academics and leadership. Application deadline: January 4

Gilman Scholarship Program Financial support for study abroad for undergraduate U.S. citizens receiving Federal Pell Grant funding. Application deadlines: January 4 and March 7

Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Scholarship Program Voice and instrumental scholarships. Application deadline: April 12

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes Must be nominated by an adult who has solid knowledge of your “heroic activities.” Ideal for someone who’s made a difference through music. Application deadline: April

Golden Key Visual and Performing Arts Achievement Award Annual scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who are members of Golden Key International Honour Society. Application deadlines: December 15

Great Value Colleges Annual $5,000 scholarship offered 2X/year to black undergraduate or graduate students accepted to or currently majoring OR minoring in music. GPA must be 3.0 or higher, essay or video required. Application deadline: July 30 and November 30

Horatio Alger Association Various scholarships awarded to high school juniors who plan to pursue a bachelor’s or AA degree. Criteria include critical financial need involvement in co-curricular and community service activities, U.S. citizen, and minimum GPA of 2.0.  Application deadline: March 15 (July 15 for 2-year schools)

House of Blues Music Forward Foundation Several different types of $10,000 scholarships for college undergraduates pursuing Music Industry careers. Application deadline: March 31

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award – From the Top Scholarship Young musicians (ages 8-18) are selected for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. Applicants must be pre-collegiate classical musicians ages 8-18 who demonstrate a high level of musical achievement and financial need. Application deadline: rolling deadlines Dec, Jan, March

JEN (Jazz Education Network) JEN offers several scholarships for members. Application deadline: April 15

John Lennon Scholarships Student songwriters, ages 17 through 24 and enrolled in a U.S. college. Application deadline: January 15

Leslie Richardson Memorial Swan & Sparrow Scholarship For a high school senior with a 2.5 or higher GPA from Virginia, D.C., or North Carolina accepted into a historically black college or university (HBCU) to study musical performance, jazz studies or choral conducting. Deadline: May

Lessons In Your Home Annual Scholarship $500 scholarship for a prospective or current full-time college student 18 + and  studying in the U.S. Deadline: July 1, 2024

Loan Forgiveness Programs This program discharges any remaining debt on federal student loans after 10 years of full-time employment in public service and 120 payments.

Loren L. Zachary Society National Vocal Competition For opera singers, ages 21-35, preparing for a professional career in opera. Audition deadlines: January (NY), February (LA).

Marine Band Concerto Competition High school musicians grades 9-12 compete for a cash prize and a performance in Washington, D.C. Application deadline: November

Mario Lanza Institute Scholarship Vocal scholarships for talented, aspiring singers ages 21 – 28, with a vocal/music study background. Application deadline: October

Mark Zinger Memorial Foundation Violin Scholarship Scholarships for violinists of all nationalities between ages 17-23 who are pursuing an undergraduate degree in music (or a double major with music) at an accredited university, college or conservatory in the U.S. Application deadline: October 1

Music Business Association (Music Biz) $5,000 scholarships for undergraduate & graduate students planning a music business career at schools that are members of Music Biz  . Also for high school seniors applying to one of these schools. Application deadline: March 1

National Federation of Music Clubs Various scholarships for current college music majors (instrumental, vocal, music therapy, music education), summer arts programs, music education/outreach projects, festival attendance for college as well as high school students. Application deadline: varies by program

North Valley Music School Scholarships Two renewable $500 scholarships for American Indian music students from Montana who attend or plan to attend a college music program. Deadline: Applications accepted year ’round

Paul and Daisy Soros Foundation Scholarships for New Americans Grad school fellowships offered annually to immigrants and children of immigrants. Up to $90,000 for up to two years. Applications open in spring and deadlines in October

PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation Annual scholarships for full-time college undergraduates of Hellenic descent and based on academic achievement, financial need, or leadership. Application deadline: January

peermusic Latin Scholarship For songwriters and composers of Latin music who are current students at colleges and universities located in the United States and Puerto Rico. Applicants must be between the ages of 17 and 24. All words and music must be original. Application deadline: January

PFLAG Scholarship Program Graduating seniors entering college who identify within the LGBTQ spectrum or as an ally. Application deadlines: vary by state.

Percussive Arts Society Scholarships and grants for student percussionists who are current members of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS). Applications open in March.

Point Foundation LGBTQ Scholarship Fund   Community college scholarships, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree scholarships.   Deadline: Varies by scholarship

Posse Foundation H.S. juniors and seniors of all backgrounds with leadership skills can be nominated for full tuition scholarships (NOT need-based) to attend Posse partner colleges and universities. Application deadline: Vary by city

Pride Foundation For LGBTQ+ or questioning? And do you live in Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington Application deadline: early January

Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Essay Contest High school seniors who are legal residents of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or Texas. Requires written or video essay about an African-American individual who inspires and motivates you. Application deadline: March

Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Various scholarships offered to challenged learners. Application deadline: varies by scholarship, typically Jan-March

Sphinx Competition Open to current U.S. residents who are Black or Latino and play the Violin, Viola, Cello or Double Bass. Cash scholarships, summer program scholarships and college/conservatory scholarships. Application deadline: October

Strauss Foundation $15,000 annual awards for 10-15 California college sophomores or juniors who undertake a high-impact project in public service or social change in their junior or senior year. Application deadline: February but date varies by school

Sweet Adelines Grants and scholarships for women with at least one semester of university coursework and involved in a barbershop or Sweet Adelines chorus. Deadline: Opens mid-November, closes mid-January.

The James and Virginia M. Smyth Scholarship Fund For applicants from Missouri, Mississippi, Georgia, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas and Tennessee. 4-year renewable scholarships. Application deadline: February

The Music Center’s Spotlight Program A scholarship and arts training program for high school students in Southern California in these categories of music: classical and non-classical voice; jazz instrumental; classical instrumental. Application deadline: October

Tuesday Musical Club of Pittsburgh Bi-annual scholarships for high school and college music majors whose permanent residence is within 100 miles of Pittsburgh. Application deadline: March

U.S. Bank Scholarship Program Not specific to music. Available to high school seniors and college undergraduates. Winners selected at random. Eligibility: high school senior planning to enroll in or a current undergraduate college student at an eligible two- or four-year college or university. U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien. Application deadline: October

Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition (VEA) Classical clarinet, saxophone and jazz categories for U.S. musicians ages 18-23. Application deadline: December  

VSA International Young Soloists Program The VSA (international Organization on Arts and Disability) International Young Soloists Award is given annually to young musicians with disabilities ages 14-25. Ensembles with at least one member with a disability are also eligible. Application deadline: January

Wilshire-Quinn Musical Arts Scholarship   One $10,000 scholarship for full-time college-level music major or minor, ages 17-24. Application deadline: May

Women Band Directors International Women Band Directors International (WBDI) offers scholarships to female college students majoring in music education with the intention of becoming band directors. Applications open Fall.

YoungArts Monetary awards to promising high school students in all of the performing and visual arts plus writing. U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts are chosen from YoungArts Finalists. Application deadline: October

Young Artist Competition for Bassoon and Oboe Sponsored by the International Double Reed Society for musicians under age 22. Competitions alternate annually between oboe and bassoon. Application deadline: March

NOTE: MajoringInMusic.com does not endorse any of the scholarship or financial aid sites listed, nor can we confirm the accuracy of information provided by these sites.

Photo Credit: Kellie Smith for LYNX Camps at (CU Denver)

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Link Directly to Scholarship Information at These Schools of Music

Arizona State University School of Music, Dance and Theatre

Bard College Conservatory of Music

Berklee College of Music

Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University

Boston Conservatory at Berklee

Boston University School of Music

Butler University

Carnegie Mellon School of Music

Case Western Reserve University

Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University

Coastal Carolina University Department of Music

Colorado State University School of Music

Concordia University Irvine

DePaul University School of Music

Duquesne University, Mary Pappert School of Music

East Carolina University School of Music

The Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester

Elon University Department of Music

Florida State University College of Music

Gettysburg College Sunderman Conservatory of Music

The Hartt School

Idyllwild Arts Academy

Indiana University – Jacobs School of Music

Interlochen Center for the Arts

Ithaca College School of Music

Kutztown University Department of Music

Lawrence University Conservatory of Music

Leeds Conservatoire(UK)

Liverpool Institute for Perfoming Arts (UK)

Loyola Marymount University Department of Music

Manhattan School of Music

Mannes School of Music at The New School

McGill University Schulich School of Music

Metropolitan State University of Denver

Northeastern University Department of Music

Northwestern University Bienen School of Music

Oberlin Conservatory of Music

Peabody Conservatory of the John Hopkins University

San Francisco Conservatory of Music

School of Jazz at The New School

SMU Meadows School of the Arts

Susquehanna University

Temple University, Boyer College of Music

Tiffin University

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)

University of Colorado Boulder College of Music

University of Colorado Denver Music & Entertainment Industry Studies

University of Denver Lamont School of Music

University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music

University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance

University of North Carolina School of the Arts

University of South Carolina School of Music

University of the Arts

University of Toronto Faculty of Music (CAN)

University of Southern California Thornton School of Music

University of Washington School of Music

Walnut Hill School for the Arts

West Chester University Wells School of Music

Western University Don Wright Faculty of Music

Wheaton College Conservatory of Music

Federal and Other Aid Resources

Other Federal Student Resources

Useful links for International Students

Education USA: US Study Opportunities

Federal Student Aid for Non-U.S. Citizens

I-20 Information

GlobalScholarships.com

Student Process Steps: How to Navigate the U.S. Immigration System

Rowe Fund of OAS (for citizens from Latin America and Caribbean OAS member states)

United States Travel/Visa Information

Undocumented Students

MALDEF Scholarship Resource Guide

James October 30, 2020 at 11:02 am

Graduating high school with 3.5 and 34 on ACT. Interested in audio production. What colleges give merit based money and have a good audio production program?

MajoringInMusic October 30, 2020 at 2:17 pm

Schools consider you for merit-based awards when you apply, based on the strength of your audition/portfolio. Your ACT score may set you up for consideration for academic merit awards as well, which schools also consider you for when you apply. They may also take into consideration your extracurricular activities and leadership experience when they consider you for these awards.

Make sure you look at the classes you’d be taking at each school you’re interested in learning more about. As for which schools to apply to, we suggest you use the “Find Schools That Fit Your Interests” section of the homepage of MajoringInMusic.com to learn more about the schools we work with that offer production programs. You can also use the form on each of these schools’ pages if you have questions not answered on their websites. There are, of course, many other schools out there that offer this major.

Gage September 29, 2020 at 11:40 am

Hello, I am a Junior in high school, and participating in four choirs. One of the choirs is the top auditioned curricular choir at my school. I also am a mentor singer in the freshman men’s choir. The remaining two are extra curricular choirs.(One of those being a barbershop quartet, and the other being an advanced jazz ensemble.) I plan to be a major in music education, and I am having a hard time looking for scholarships.

MajoringInMusic September 29, 2020 at 1:40 pm

Every school we know of offers merit awards (those based on your proficiency and audition) when you apply. Be sure to follow their directions especially in terms of deadlines. Typically there is no separate application for these types of awards.

Also check out the appropriate scholarships on our website. And be sure to fill out the FAFSA! When you’re a senior, apply for FAFSA early (applications open in October). Need-based scholarships, both government and school-based, are offered based on FAFSA. FAFSA applications need to be filled out before each year you’re in college.

Stacey September 12, 2020 at 11:48 am

Hello – my daughter is a senior and interested in Music Therapy as a career. She’s a several-octave soprano in a Vocal program at a magnet high school. She’s interested in the programs at Berklee, U of Miami and Temple U. Are there scholarships she should be pursuing? I have found very few that she could apply for because of the specificity of the scholarship. Any help is greatly appreciated – thank you!

MajoringInMusic September 13, 2020 at 3:36 pm

Outside of FAFSA and other need-based scholarships, the schools themselves typically offer their own merit scholarships. Most of the time students don’t have to apply for these merit awards separately – the students are considered based on academic and/or audition proficiency. But check each school carefully. Berklee and Temple are both participating schools on MajoringInMusic.com so you can use the forms on their pages to send inquiries to these schools if you don’t see the information you need right on their websites.

Check the scholarships section of the American Music Therapy Association – while most are for current music therapy students, this MT Intern Scholarship is worth knowing about: Also check the Scholarships section of MajoringInMusic.com for other non-music therapy scholarships.

Sophia March 4, 2020 at 8:09 pm

I am an oboe player and want to know if I pursue a career of oboe playing or music, what majors will I need? And will being a strong oboe player benefit me in a school? I’m wondering what majors provide good job choices.

MajoringInMusic March 9, 2020 at 4:23 pm

Your decision as to what to major in has a lot to do with what you’re interested in doing after you graduate. If you are unsure, a BA in music provides you with more elective credits and the time in your schedule to explore options beside performance. A liberal arts college will also provide that opportunity. Starting at a community college is another option but be sure to read our article, “Community College for Music Students: Guidelines for Making It Work.” Also read our article “What Can You Do with a Music Degree?” and the articles linked from that one. You’ll get lots of new ideas.

Linda March 4, 2019 at 8:02 pm

My daughter is a junior in HS, high gpa and a decent SAT. She is a gifted vocalist with many accomplishments and could kill an audition, but she is not sure she wants to major in music. She may want to double major with science or minor in music. She needs as much money as possible. What are the best schools for her to apply to?

MajoringInMusic March 8, 2019 at 4:15 pm

Double majoring is a great option for students who are ready for the amount of work it requires. If your daughter has any interest in possibly majoring in music, it would be wise for her to prepare to audition and go ahead and audition at schools she’s interested in attending.

We suggest your daughter and you read these articles:

https://majoringinmusic.com/double-majoring-with-music/ https://majoringinmusic.com/dual-degrees-double-majors-and-music-minors/ https://majoringinmusic.com/music-or-medicine/

As for which schools to apply to, there are so many factors that go into making that decision that it would be inappropriate for us to make recommendations based on the minimal information provided below. We do offer fee-based consulting for these kinds of questions and decisions and can follow up with information if you’re interested.

Note that many schools offer merit assistance based on the audition; some offer merit assistance based on GPA; some offer assistance to those who became merit scholars based on their PSATs. Every school is different. All students are encouraged to fill out the FAFSA forms. You can learn more about all of this on the page you wrote in from – https://majoringinmusic.com/scholarships-for-music-majors/ .

Olivia W. November 21, 2017 at 1:42 pm

Hi! I’ve been playing the piano since I was 5 . I’ve played classical piano and have been also playing for services at church every weekend. I’ve usually had really good grades until I got into highschool. I’ve been working on my GPA (its improving) ever since and I just want to know how big of a factor does GPA play when applying for musical scholarships?

MajoringInMusic November 28, 2017 at 1:57 pm

As a rule of thumb, remembering that every school is different: Auditions determine most merit- related music scholarships; a high GPA can lead to a merit scholarship from a university within which a music school resides; and GPA will be especially important for getting in to many liberal arts colleges.

Carley April 27, 2016 at 9:50 am

I am a Junior in High School. I have a high GPA (not a 4.0) and I live in a small town In Illinois. I want to Major in Music Education and I love the performing arts. I am looking for as many scholarships as I possibly can. Anything weird is OK, as long I don’t have to pay for college (or pay as little as I possibly can). I need help.

MajoringInMusic April 27, 2016 at 11:10 am

When you apply to music schools, they will consider you for scholarships. Your audition will have a lot to do with what they offer, so spend as much time as you can in preparing well for your audition. Summer music programs will help boost your proficiency – check out those on our 2016 Summer Music Camps & Programs page. There are good tips for seeking scholarships in the links on the right side right up top on the Scholarships page you wrote in from. Be sure to read the FAFSA information carefully. Also look at each of the scholarships listed to see whether you qualify for any of these. And look at the comments as well on this page – you may glean some useful information by doing so.

MajoringInMusic April 18, 2016 at 11:07 am

As a music minor, you will gain skills and knowledge in music theory, aural skills, and music history that will further your understanding of music and, depending on the school, your performance chops. We hope that private lessons and performing in an ensemble will be included in your program. See our article on Transferable Skills to see how what you learn as a music minor can be applied to other fields. What you actually do career-wise with a music minor is entirely up to you. But it’s likely that it will inform and enrich whatever you do.

Okinda March 23, 2016 at 4:00 am

I am so much interested in music, with a basic knowledge of writing and reading both sol-fa and staff notation, a vocalist and trainer of choirs in sacred songs and with some little knowledge in piano playing. I have a desire to advance in music but financial constraints have been the challenge. kindly advise. Thank you.

MajoringInMusic March 23, 2016 at 10:14 am

If you’re a strong enough applicant based on your audition, you’ll be considered for some merit scholarship assistance at schools in the U.S. where you apply. It sounds like you may need to boost your proficiency, based on what you wrote, in order for this to happen. Note that schools outside the U.S. tend to be far less expensive – you can see a few of them on our website under “International” schools. You’ll need to be strong on your instrument/voice in order to be considered for admission. There are several good articles on this page that will provide more information, whether or not you’re a U.S. citizen.

Lael February 16, 2016 at 9:12 am

My son is planning to pursue a music production degree. He is a trained pianist, but composes original music utilizing Maschine and various software. Are there any scholarships specific to these areas of interest? He also may be interested in film and television score production.

MajoringInMusic February 16, 2016 at 2:52 pm

We suggest that he visit and explore the website of the American Musicological Society. He may also want to consider attending their annual conference to network and learn more about the musicology profession.

Valerie January 31, 2016 at 10:48 am

My son will be graduating with a degree in music performance, he plays the tuba. He is applying for grad school, any scholarships for tuba players?

MajoringInMusic February 2, 2016 at 10:57 am

The music schools that accept your son will offer scholarships if he’s a strong tuba player who they’re eager to have at their schools. We also encourage you to read each entry on the Scholarships page and click on any that sound relevant. Also check out the articles linked on the right side of the article.

Robyn January 14, 2016 at 10:44 am

My daughter is graduating from high school June 2016 and majoring in music therapy as an undergrad in September. Are there any scholarships we should be looking at? The AMTA scholarships look like they are for current undergrads, not entering students. Thank you, Robin

MajoringInMusic January 14, 2016 at 1:08 pm

When students apply and then audition, most music schools will automatically consider them for a scholarship. Check the scholarship information for any school your daughter has applied to, to see if there are any additional forms, applications etc. that are required to be considered for a scholarship. A really outstanding audition may lead to a merit scholarship, while need-based scholarships are based on family income, etc. If your daughter has a particular music strength (for example, as a vocalist or as an instrumentalist), look for any relevant scholarships on our scholarships list. And read the articles on that page for other suggestions.

Lauren January 7, 2016 at 7:52 pm

I’m a high school senior planning to major in vocal music education. I have a high GPA, ACT score and class rank. I generally do not qualify to receive need-based aid; however, I’m paying for my tuition, not my parents. I need as many scholarships as I can get. Are there any scholarships that it sounds like I could qualify for? I looked through this page, but I didn’t find any. And if not, do you have any other advice for what I should do?

MajoringInMusic January 8, 2016 at 10:08 am

If your audition is really strong, the schools you apply to may offer you scholarships. That’s your best option. Your high GPA and class rank may be helpful as well. You might consider applying for FAFSA aid but unless you are financially independent from your parents (i.e., they don’t claim you on their tax returns), it sounds from what you say that you are not likely to receive much or even any support from FAFSA. Are you a member of your school’s Tri-M chapter? If so, check on any scholarships they offer. Also check out Sigma Alpha Iota – you can find them on our scholarships page. Their scholarships are for current undergraduates. Look at other information on our scholarships page under “Paying for Music School.” Let us know what else you discover on your own and how it goes for you.

Isaac December 16, 2015 at 3:29 pm

I’m a freshman at a small college in Kansas. Are there any percussion scholarships available for music majors?

MajoringInMusic December 18, 2015 at 11:22 am

Did you look at the Percussive Arts Society and Zildjian scholarships listed here?

Allyson December 2, 2015 at 11:35 am

I am from West Virginia, but circumstances cause me to want to go to a Music oriented college in Atlanta. I wish to major in Music education and become a band director for a highschool. Do you have any scholarships that could work for me?

MajoringInMusic December 2, 2015 at 1:08 pm

Based on your audition, schools will determine whether they want to offer you a scholarship. They will also take into consideration your financial circumstances, so be sure to file your FAFSA forms on time. Look over the list of scholarships on this page and see if any fit your musical talents and plans. Also read the various articles linked on this page that talk about scholarships and financial aid.

Logan October 23, 2015 at 9:23 pm

I am a Sophomore in high school and I produce electronic music varying from big room house to Glitch hop. I am wondering what scholarship would apply to me involving electronic music and sound design. I am hoping to study and major in sound design or audio engineering.

MajoringInMusic October 24, 2015 at 4:19 pm

How cool to be thinking of this already! Know that music schools offer scholarships based on financial need and sometimes academic merit. So continue to gain experience and skills that will impress schools when it comes time to apply in your senior year. In the meantime, read the details on all of the scholarships on this page to see if any might fit. Also read the FAFSA and linked articles on the right side of the page to learn about other opportunities. And find summer music programs to further enhance your skills and make yourself known to schools you may be interested in applying to – our updated list will be posted beginning in December.

Abbey October 8, 2015 at 2:16 pm

I’m a sophomore hoping to apply to several music schools, but I am unsure of what instrument to major in. I’m good enough to major in piano and voice, and I have a lot of experience in both fields. I feel as if I am a more capable vocalist, but my teachers have advised me that there is generally less competition in the field of piano performance. I’m pretty qualified to double major if I’d like; but I’m not sure if that’s a wise idea either. Should I choose between my two instruments, or should I major in both?

MajoringInMusic October 8, 2015 at 4:37 pm

Vocal auditions are very different from piano auditions, so check the audition requirements at schools you’re interested in to see what they’re looking for. (Also check their requirements for double majors.) You’ll be expected to major on the instrument you audition on, so take the next few years to really focus on your passion and on increasing your skill level on both voice and piano. Consider taking a summer program in either instrument, where you’ll be able to also focus somewhat on the non-dominant instrument. Also look at what you want to do once you graduate from college as a way of helping you think about where to put your focus.

Billie October 3, 2015 at 9:38 pm

I am a high school sophomore and I want to start learning about and applying for scholarships early. I have been singing since I was a kid, and went to the music competition in my state for it. I have been wondering if there are any scholarships for me to get this early that could add up to a full- tuition scholarship, because my family doesn’t have enough to send me to college

MajoringInMusic October 5, 2015 at 12:06 pm

Music schools offer scholarships to seniors who apply, based on their auditions. So you have a few years to go before you’re in a position for this to happen. Most of the scholarships on this page of MajoringInMusic.com are also for high school seniors or college students. We suggest you focus on increasing your proficiency on your major instrument (sounds like voice) so that you’ll be in a good position to be competitive for scholarships when you’re a senior. One way to do that is to apply for summer music programs where you can really focus on your musicianship and bring your skills to the next level. Many of those programs offer scholarships for students who apply early enough. We will be starting to post the 2016 Summer Music Programs page in December, so keep returning to MajoringInMusic.com to see what’s possible.

Jerred August 2, 2015 at 6:15 pm

I am an aspiring singer who’s sung in church since I was young and has been singing every year in my high school choir. I have been teaching myself how to play guitar and piano but I can’t make much progress without a teacher and my family isn’t financially well enough to afford one. Is it possible to major in piano or guitar as well as singing with my level of experience?

MajoringInMusic August 6, 2015 at 10:18 am

If you are considering majoring in music, then you will need to be proficient enough to audition. We suggest you contact a local community music school to inquire about private lessons – they often offer scholarships. We also suggest you contact a local community college to see if they can be of assistance.

Thomas June 19, 2015 at 8:33 pm

I am a drum-set player going into my senior year of high school and I’m very serious about my musical future. I plan on attending a New York music school (there are so many) for preforming arts. Those schools are expensive and I have been gathering different small scholarships, but they’re hard to come by. I need help finding some scholarships that require preforming ability above other things. Thanks!

MajoringInMusic June 22, 2015 at 3:21 pm

When you apply and audition, you will be considered for scholarships each school offers. We hope you are also already learning what you need to know about FAFSA.

Jessie May 26, 2015 at 9:55 am

Hi! I play the harp and am wondering if there are any scholarships available for the harp in particular. Thank you!

MajoringInMusic May 27, 2015 at 3:34 pm

Look at all the listings that apply to your interests and year in school on this page – those that you’d be able to apply for may not be specifically for harp students. Check harp instrument companies, and American Harp Society and Foundation. Note that schools will offer scholarships upon audition.

Kaleka May 12, 2015 at 1:28 pm

I am a sophomore at Envision Academy of Arts and Technology. I have been singing since I was 2yrs old and I wanted to know if there is anything I could do to be a songwriter as well as learn to play acoustic guitar. I would like to know if I could still major in singing also if I could get help in scholarships or tuition fees.

MajoringInMusic May 12, 2015 at 4:16 pm

Look at our Popular music articles for some of the schools offering songwriting. You have to apply, audition, and get accepted to be considered for scholarships offered by the schools themselves.

Lisa April 30, 2015 at 11:49 am

Hello, my child is in 9th grade and has an interest in being a songwriter. She states she is interested in Berklee College of Music. What are some of the things she should be doing to prepare for college. She is in performance arts classes and sings in the church choir, she also plays the piano and has some interest in playing the guitar. What are some of the areas of study she should look at? What are some of the colleges that offer programs in regard to her interests? Are their any scholarships/internships/camps she can apply for that will nurture her gifts?

MajoringInMusic April 30, 2015 at 2:21 pm

We suggest you and your daughter read this article: Prepare to be a College Music Major . (Just click on the link.) We also suggest she look at our Summer Music Camps & Programs – there are several programs in songwriting. We also have several articles you and your daughter will find useful, under the category “Popular Music.” You’ll see participating schools on MajoringInMusic.com that offer these programs linked right on these articles.   * Note that we do offer consulting services if you are interested in working directly with us.

Brandon December 9, 2016 at 1:59 pm

https://www.berklee.edu/paying-for-your-education/scholarships <— this may help. I'm also looking into Berklee.

Cris April 3, 2015 at 12:38 am

Hi I’m a 26 year old, Bolivian drummer, been playing for over fifteen years and studied music over 7 years, and I just got accepted into Berklee College of Music and even got a scholarship for performing and composing. I plan to go to Berklee because It has been a dream since I’m 15 years old. Unfortunately even with the scholarship me and my family cannot pay tuition which is almost 40000 and, as I’ve been told, getting an F-1 visa may not let me work outside Berklee in order to cover for these costs. Is there a scholarship or any kind of help outside Berklee itself? Please reply, time is running out…

MajoringInMusic April 3, 2015 at 10:43 am

We receive many requests like yours for scholarship help to attend Berklee College of Music. We suggest you contact Berklee again to see what suggestions they have to help you find additional financial resources to allow you to attend their school. We also suggest you contact any community organizations where you live that might be in a position to assist you in any way, possibly in exchange for coming back and performing for them sometime in the future. We know of some students who have created fundraisers to help pay for school, sometimes even to get to school (there are several articles on MajoringInMusic.com about this) and we suggest you look at that option as well. We recognize how difficult this is for you and for others who are passionate about advancing their music, and we hope you’ll find ways to make it work for yourself. Let us know how it turns out for you.

Jessica April 1, 2015 at 1:45 pm

Hello, I am a high school senior and I want to major in Music Business/Industry. What would be the best scholarship for that major?

MajoringInMusic April 1, 2015 at 8:43 pm

When you apply to music schools, the schools themselves will consider you for scholarships. But also look at the list on this page to see if any of these fit for you. And be sure to check out the opportunities NAMM offers college students to attend their January conference in Anaheim, California once you are already enrolled in school.

Amber February 16, 2015 at 5:26 am

Hello, I’m currently in my last year of school at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, a vocal performance major. I have looked at the vocal scholarships on this page that I’m eligible for, but I was wondering if you have any other suggestions on how to gain resources. I am currently looking into going to grad school next fall, 2016, but my undergraduate schooling has literally drained me and my family of all funds and put us (me) into a lot of debt. Is there a way to get a sponsor or patron? Do any companies give funds to the arts? Other than Curtis, are there any other music schools that give excellent scholarships, fellowships, or are known for giving full (or bigger) scholarships for graduate studies? They can be US or International. I have done quite a bit of research on this, but I am starting to feel hopeless. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

MajoringInMusic February 17, 2015 at 10:09 am

We suggest you do a few things: First, check with the career office at your school. What can they tell you about assistantships, fellowships, and other aid you may qualify for that’s offered by graduate music programs? Next, check the websites and then, if needed, make direct contact with grad schools you’re interested in attending. What kind of aid do they provide for graduate students? If any of the schools on MajoringInMusic.com are on your list of possibilities, click on their graduate programs and look for their financial assistance/assistantships links to learn more. Then use the forms on their participating school pages to ask the schools any additional questions.

Jonathan February 6, 2015 at 11:18 am

I’m a high school sophmore, play clarinet, take private lessons, and I’m in my school’s band and the El Paso Texas Youth Orchestra. I have made all state two years (freshman, sophmore). My dream is to go to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. but it is very expensive and I have no idea how I’m going to pay, and I don’t want to be in debt. How can I pay for Eastman if I was to be admitted?

MajoringInMusic February 6, 2015 at 11:23 am

We suggest you attend a relevant summer music program at any school you may be interested in attending. There’s much to be gained by being on campus, learning from the faculty (they’ll get to know you, too), and getting a sense of whether a school you’ve had interest in is really a good fit for you. Note that many summer programs do offer scholarships on a need basis. See our list of Summer Music Camps & Programs – new ones are being added every day. As you get closer to applying to schools, you’ll want to learn about FAFSA and about scholarships that schools offer to students they accept, based on need and merit. You may also want to look at the pros and cons of starting music school at a community college. Read this article for important information about starting at community college and what you need to do to have credits transfer.

Daisy November 24, 2014 at 11:04 am

Hello I’m 17. I’m still in high school (sophomore). I know that I don’t have anything for college. I know that I want to have a major in music. Is there any type of scholarship that help get better at playing an instrument.

MajoringInMusic November 24, 2014 at 1:42 pm

The best thing you can do to qualify for scholarships is to start preparing now for the auditions that are going to help you to be taken seriously when you’re a senior. Take lessons, practice, join the school ensemble, choir, or orchestra, perform wherever you can, go to concerts and listen to lots of music. Read articles on MajoringInMusic.com to learn more. Here’s a good article to help you get started: Prepare to be a College Music Major .

Stephanie November 9, 2014 at 2:18 am

Hello , my name is stephanie . I am from California , where all the dreams come true . Unfortunately I am a broke 18 year old who only wants to major in music (vocals,producing,recording) . I have no type of college background. I am being forced to go to a community college by my parents , although they do not see that music is my passion. Community colleges near me do not have degrees in music nor have majors in music. I know that with a scholarship I would not have to worry about any of those problems. All I have is my voice .

MajoringInMusic November 10, 2014 at 10:53 am

Actually, some of the community colleges in California have very good 2-year music programs that also connect well (“articulate”) with 4-year music schools especially in California. You’d get the background you’d need plus a better chance at a scholarship. Some of the CC we’re familiar with include Pasadena City College, Santa Monica City College, and LA City College. Read this article about starting out at community college: Community College for Music Students: Guidelines for Making It Work. Then look closely at the music programs of schools you’re interested in and contact them directly once you’ve done so. Tell them we referred you! And remember to check FAFSA as soon as possible, for need-based aid.

Karen September 25, 2014 at 1:02 pm

My 16 year old is a talented violinist and plays several other instruments including the alto sax. He would like to attend college and major in music engineering and peformance. He is active with several orchestra programs and honors orchestra. However, he attends a home school program. Most scholarships are geared towards traditional high school stutdents. Do you know of a college and scholarship program that is friendly towards home schoolers for music majors? Thanks for all you do!

MajoringInMusic September 26, 2014 at 6:25 pm

If you belong to a home school association, we suggest you ask them about scholarships for home schooled students. Also, you can ask the orchestra programs you son attends. Music schools offer their own scholarships to students based on auditions and sometimes academic performance.

Josh July 21, 2014 at 5:04 pm

I am entering my Senior year of high school. I am looking at Christian colleges/universities offering degrees in Music Business. I am working to become a Christian Music Artist. I’m having trouble finding scholarship opportunities in Christian music studies. Any suggestions? Thank you

MajoringInMusic July 22, 2014 at 2:23 pm

You’ll need to apply and be accepted before schools will look at you as a scholarship candidate. Check the list of 120 CCCU schools. Note that as a student at one of those schools, you can apply to take a semester in the business track through the Contemporary Music Program in Nashville. We assume you’re already looking into FAFSA…and that you’re talking with your own church for any other leads on scholarships.

Bethany June 12, 2014 at 1:00 pm

Hi, my name is Bethany. I am a 16 year old in Rhode Island finishing up my junior year of high school. I have wanted to go to college and pursue music therapy as my career since middle school. It hsan’t changed,and I was wondering if there are any internships/volunteer positions in New England and/or scholarship opportunities? It’s incredibly hard to find anything and even scholarships are only for freshman and above in college, not high school seniors/juniors. My primary in music therapy will be voice, but I also play the flute, saxophone, some piano, and I am learning guitar now. Thanks!

MajoringInMusic June 13, 2014 at 10:40 am

We suggest you contact the American Music Therapy Association to connect with music therapists in your area. You won’t qualify for an internship until you are far along in your music therapy program at an AMTA-accredited school, but there should be opportunities to shadow and volunteer to learn more about this wonderful field. Your background in voice, piano and guitar will all serve you well as you must be proficient in all three in order to become accredited as a music therapist. Be sure to read our articles on music therapy !

Chris May 16, 2014 at 10:52 pm

I am a 25 year old classical pianist from Southern California- I am enrolled at the Juilliard school for the fall for my Master’s Degree. I was given a generous scholarship of 20,000 dollars but am still looking for more funds to help with the cost of tuition which totals approx. 38,000. Not to mention also the living expenses of manhattan! Are there any scholarships or grants out there for which I meet the criteria? I have been looking with limited success so far, although it’s early. Any help would be appreciated!

MajoringInMusic May 18, 2014 at 3:50 pm

Kudos on your acceptance! First thing us to go back to Juilliard and courteously ask if there’s any additional financial assistance – including work study options. Ask for housing suggestions – perhaps there are other students they know of who you can explore roommate situations with. You don’t say what area of music you’re studying but we recommend looking at each scholarship on this page to see if you qualify. It may be too late for this year if you do, but deadlines are always coming up so keep track for future years.

Batu April 18, 2014 at 11:38 am

Hi, I am 23 years old and I’m from Turkey. This year, I am graduating from Galatasaray University, Istanbul as an Industrial Engineer. Recently I got accepted to Berklee College of Music. My main instrument is piano and my field of studies are going to be Music Production & Engineering and Electronic Production & Design. I was looking for scholarships and sponsorships to help me finance my education. I wanted to ask if you had any suggestions for me to fulfill my dream to build up a career as a musician and a producer. Thank you.

MajoringInMusic April 23, 2014 at 1:44 pm

First and foremost, contact Berklee to see if there are scholarships or work/study opportunities they offer. Second, look for any support from companies and non-profit organizations in your hometown that want to see local people thrive in the world of music. Most of the scholarships on MajoringInMusic.com are for American citizens, but look carefully at each one because there are some that are open to students from outside the US.

Totha February 8, 2014 at 7:04 am

Hi, I’m an undergraduate student and my major is software engineering. I’ve been playing guitar for few years. I always wanted to study music or guitar. But my parents wanted me to become an engineer. I’m a junior student. I’ve continued 2.5 years with this major by a hard struggle. I looked for scholarships before but couldn’t find any full-free scholarship on music or guitar. So i had to control myself and try to concentrate on my major. But i found it’s not the thing that i want. Music is my passion. I think of music all the day. Can’t concentrate on study. I talked to my parents before. They want me to finish my bachelor first. But i think it’s just a waste of time. I can’t ask my parents to pay me for studying music and it’s also expensive. And they can not afford it. As they’ve already wasted money on me for my last 3 years. I want to choose the right thing before it’s too late. So I really wanted to know if there is any good school that offers full-free scholarships for students who want to study music or guitar?

Jonathan Hill February 4, 2014 at 5:41 pm

Hi! My name is Jon and I’m an 18-year-old drum set player. I am currently enrolled at the Berklee College of Music as a Music Education major. I’ve been a student here for one semester and I’m going through my second semester right now. Tuition here is about $30,000 a semester, and if I can’t get any scholarship money, I doubt I will be able to continue my education at Berklee. Are there any scholarships I may be eligible for?

MajoringInMusic February 4, 2014 at 11:36 pm

Several scholarships on the list are for current college students. As a drum set player, also look at the Percussive Arts Society scholarships. Have you spoken with your school to ask them for their advice and assistance?

Roberto December 20, 2013 at 10:13 am

Hello, I’m a high school senior, I play tuba (3 years), piano (2 years), guitar (2 months), however I’m more of a singer (6 years). I was wondering if there are any universities of music in Texas because i don’t want to leave the state, nor do i want to go to a school of conservatory of music, thank you for your time.

Zane December 9, 2013 at 7:45 pm

I am currently a Junior in High School, and am performing in a selection of bands at my school. I have 5 years experience on brass instruments, a small amount of percussion experience, and on my instrument of choice, the Bassoon, I have 3 years experience. I would love to go to a college or university to further my knowledge of music, but I don’t really know where to start. A career in Composition, Performance/Conducting, or Music Education are fields in music that especially interest me. It’s a dream for me to make a living on a music career, and any help from scholarships of even just guidance would be great. Any ideas on where to start?

MajoringInMusic December 10, 2013 at 12:46 pm

You’re smart to check out your various interests. Know that the three areas you mention – composition, performance/conducting, and music education – do not have to be mutually exclusive. Plenty of music educators also conduct as well as compose. A couple of suggestions: If you’re not currently taking private lessons on the instrument you plan to audition with (bassoon?), you should start as soon as possible. Music schools will look for the kind of proficiency that is difficult to get on your own or through performing with school bands, ensembles, and orchestras. If you haven’t participated in summer music programs in the areas of music you’re interested in, now is a good time to start researching them. Summer programs give you a chance to immerse yourself in music, discover new interests, meet like-minded musicians, receive training and mentorship from excellent music educators. And have fun! We’ll be posting 2014 summer music camps and programs soon, so come back often to see the options.

Prathiba November 24, 2013 at 8:35 am

My daughter, 15 yrs of age, mezzo soprano, is undergoing vocal training and learning musical theory in private music school in Dubai affiliated to Trinity Guild Hall and passed Gr6 exams with distinction and appearing for Gr7 & 8 in 2014. She had also performed in major roles in high school musicals such as CATS, Wizard of Oz & Phantom of the Opera and recently obtained distinction in Gr6 performing arts. She has been dreaming to pursue a dual degree with vocal music as major and another degree in science or arts. Having sparse knowledge of US conservatories and colleges, we seek your advice going forward to choose the right campus.

MajoringInMusic November 25, 2013 at 5:15 pm

There’s a lot to consider for studying as a dual degree or double major. Your daughter, who sounds very talented, needs to find a school that offers her the desired level of proficiency in both vocal music as well as the other field she’s interested in and passionate about. We suggest you both start by reading this article: Dual Degrees, Double Majors, and Music Minors . It will provide a good background for looking ahead. Since the scope of your question is so broad, also consider contacting us to learn about our consulting services.

Jacob November 20, 2013 at 11:29 am

Hello, I’m 16 years old and am currently a junior in high school with a small background in playing multiple brass instruments and a 3 year background with percussion but would like to work in music production with soundboards and don’t know where to start. I’ve read about “Berklee College of Music” and “Academy of Arts” but I’m not entirely sure on what college and major is right for me?

MajoringInMusic November 20, 2013 at 10:43 pm

It sounds like you are interested in learning more about music technology. There are several schools participating on MajoringInMusic.com with these types of programs. A good way to start your search is to check out these schools’ pages on MajoringInMusic.com to see if any sound appealing. Then ask your specific questions on the forms on their pages. Appalachian State University (Music Industry Studies) Azusa Pacific University Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (Recording Arts) Ithaca College (Sound Recording Technology) Leeds College of Music (Production) McNally Smith College of Music (Music Technology, Music Business) Penn State School of Music (minor in Music Technology) Syracuse University Setnor School of Music (Music and Entertainment Industries) Temple University (Music Technology Component) UC Denver, Music & Entertainment Industries Studies (Recording Arts, Music Business) University of Oregon (Music Technology) USC Thornton School of Music (Music Industry) Be sure to check our Summer Music Camps & Programs page starting in mid-December. Attending a summer program in a field you’re thinking about majoring in and perhaps at a school you might like to attend is a great way to proceed.

Jeff November 13, 2013 at 1:29 pm

I’m currently a sophomore at American University and last semester I added a Music Performance (Percussion) major. I was wondering what scholarships I would be able to apply for. I looked at some of the ones listed above but they all seemed to be either for graduating high school seniors or college freshman. Thanks!

MajoringInMusic November 13, 2013 at 2:39 pm

Take a look at two of the Scholarships listed on this page: the Percussive Arts Society and Kerope Zildjian.

Irma November 11, 2013 at 11:29 am

Hello, My son will start Berklee School of Music in Januray, majoring in Vocals – I was wondering what scholarships would serve him, if any? Thanks.

MajoringInMusic November 12, 2013 at 3:11 pm

The first place to start is with your son’s school itself. Have him check with the financial aid office to find out how they can help. We assume you’ve already applied for FAFSA, work-study, and any loans you and he feel comfortable applying for (see federal aid links on this page). Also read Paying for Music School: Ideas for Cutting Costs , and take a look at the scholarships here on MajoringInMusic.com –– some are specifically for voice majors. Remind your son that additional options including competitions he can apply for may arise as he continues through school.

Ryan October 13, 2013 at 3:56 am

Hi, I’m an 18 year old who is currently studying in a Singapore high school and taking my GCE A Levels this year, I’m wondering if there are any songwriting scholarships applicable for students outside of the US?

MajoringInMusic October 16, 2013 at 2:10 pm

Hello Ryan,

U.S. schools will want you to apply and audition first…and then they’ll consider you along with everyone else for scholarship opportunities. Unless you’re a U.S. citizen, you won’t qualify for any U.S. government-related loans or scholarships. However, the schools with songwriting programs, who are always looking for promising talent to work with, may offer financial support. They will, however, want to see evidence that you can afford your share of tuition etc. Check out the participating schools on MajoringInMusic.com with songwriting programs (start with USC Thornton School of Music, Columbia College Chicago, McNally Smith College of Music, Leeds College of Music), look at their guidelines for international students if that’s you, and let us know what you find out!

Gabby Walker September 13, 2013 at 11:48 am

I’m a Senior in high school and I want to know if there are any scholarships that focus on Vocal Performances because that is want to study in School. I’m also African American so I would like to know if there are any scholarships for that also.

MajoringInMusic September 13, 2013 at 9:42 pm

Several of the scholarships listed here are for vocal performance majors –– review the list carefully. The scholarship application information is typically updated in late fall and into early winter, so plan to return to this page often. Also apply for scholarships at the schools you are interested in attending – they offer performance, academic, and other types of scholarships you’ll want to find out about. You can click on any of the schools listed on this page (they’re all participating music schools on MajoringInMusic.com) to learn more.

john carder August 13, 2013 at 9:52 am

My granddaughter is attending college next fall and will get scholarship offers form several colleges. She plays in a rock band and will continue to do so. Are there any restrictions in getting scholarships similar to athletic scholarships that could restrict her getting paid for performing while getting scholarship money?

MajoringInMusic August 13, 2013 at 7:25 pm

From what we know, the rules are different in sports because of the governing body overseeing that world. We have never heard of there being a problem with music students and have known many student musicians who have been paid for performing –– it’s a part of their professional education. Her college will hopefully teach her about keeping records, charging for her work, paying taxes, and more to help her become a professional in the music world.

That said, if your granddaughter were to be paid significant amounts of money for performing, she would need to report her income and that would be figured in to renewable scholarships. Note that this is not the norm for a college student unless they end up touring and need to take a break from college – a different story – see this article: Professional Leave .

Aden July 28, 2013 at 1:12 pm

I am 11 years old and very interested in musical therapy. I go to a special art school in Colorado called Denver School of the Arts for band. One of my teachers did musical therapy and I am very inspired. You might think Im young but I am very enthusiastic. I am looking for some scholarship opportunities in Colorado. Please get back to me soon.

MajoringInMusic July 30, 2013 at 11:10 am

We’re delighted to hear that you’re interested in music therapy. And we know your wonderful school (DSA) quite well. In fact, we hope you’ll attend the panel we’re co-hosting on September 10, 2013 at 7 pm at the Dairy Center in Boulder for anyone who’s thinking about majoring in music.

We suggest you learn more about music therapy by reading the articles about this field on MajoringInMusic.com. There are many things you’ll need to do before you’re ready to apply, but the information you find in these will help you prepare. As for scholarships, you’ll need to wait until you’re ready to apply to schools in music therapy. At this point in time, schools consider you for scholarships based on your proficiency on your main instrument, your passion for what you want to study, and, depending on the school, your GPA. For now, we suggest you focus on learning to play piano, as it will serve you in whatever area of music you end up pursuing.

Brianna July 25, 2013 at 2:15 pm

Hi! I’m Brianna. I’m 13 years old and I live in Texas. I’m in a band that has two other members. I sing and I can play the clarinet even though that’s not what I’m looking for. I’ve written about 5 songs by now and my other band members have written some as well. I’m wondering if there’s any scholarships or something that fits my needs. I know I’m young to be looking for scholarships, but I’m planning to go to an art institute or any college I can for music, art, songwriting, writing in general, or photography and I know that my parents won’t be able to pay for it very well. Please reply!

MajoringInMusic July 26, 2013 at 4:34 pm

Brianna, it’s so great to hear that at age 13 you’re already a singer/songwriter in a band. And can also play the clarinet (which we assume represents some classical training). Our recommendation to you is to continue to pursue your various artistic passions. As you do, you’ll start zooming in on which area you’re most drawn to. Consider summer programs that let you dive into your areas of interest –– we’ve got a great list on MajoringInMusic.com. Many offer tuition breaks based on financial need. By the time you’re ready to apply to colleges that will help you further your knowledge and skills, you’ll be in a position to apply for their scholarships. At that point, you’ll also want to look at the list of scholarships on MajoringInMusic.com to see what’s available beyond what the individual schools offer.

Cadeau Nguy?n July 21, 2013 at 6:52 am

Hi, I’m Vietnamese. I am 20 years old, had graduated 11 years classical piano major in June last year, now I want to find college scholarships as classical piano major. I want to study in Korea, or other countries. Please recommend me some schools offering scholarships for Korean classical piano, how to apply for scholarships and how to apply for the school record.

MajoringInMusic July 21, 2013 at 4:07 pm

Thanks for contacting MajoringInMusic.com. There appear to be several schools of music (or conservatoires) in Seoul. We are not directly familiar with them, but we assume that, just like in the U.S. and England, you first have to apply and audition and get accepted before they will offer a scholarship. Best wishes to you in finding a school that will work well for you. You can learn about specific schools in the U.S. as well as Leeds College of Music in the UK, by visiting the Music Schools Links section in the top navigation bar on MajoringInMusic.com.

Elaine June 26, 2013 at 12:10 pm

i was wondering if you know of any scholarships given to postgraduate classical flute students who have been accepted to a conservatoire overseas (leeds college of music) that are in need of financial aid help.

MajoringInMusic June 26, 2013 at 5:11 pm

Thanks for your question. Since things are different in the U.S. vs. abroad, we’ve asked Leeds to weigh in on this question. Keep checking this page for a response. In the meantime, we assume you’ve already submitted a formal request for a scholarship or teaching assistantship to the school itself. We do hear that in the U.S., there are less T.A. opportunities than in the past. Not sure how this translates over to schools outside the U.S.

Rachael Sutcliffe - Leeds College of Music July 4, 2013 at 3:21 am

Dear Elaine, Many thanks for your query. At Leeds College of Music, international students as well as Home and EU students are eligible for our three excellence scholarships. The scholarship takes the form of a partial fee remission of varying amounts, for up to three years subject to annual review. There are also various forms of support that our Student Fees and Funding team will be able to help you with. You can contact them directly by emailing: [email protected] Very best wishes and I look forward to meeting you in September! Rachael

Fátima June 24, 2013 at 8:43 pm

I want to be come a music teacher. What should I study? I’m still in highschool and I live in El Salvador (Central America). I still have to study for a few years before graduating, but I am interested in learning about my future now, and I really want to study outside of my third world country.

MajoringInMusic June 26, 2013 at 5:45 pm

We assume you are already learning an instrument or are studying voice with a teacher as well as finding opportunities to perform at school and in the community. If you’re not already learning some music theory as well, find a way to do that –– it is very important for studying music after high school as well as for your overall understanding of music. Gain experience working with different age groups. Finding ways to assist music teachers or music programs and observe how others teach. Listen to as many genres of music as you can, attend concerts whenever possible, talk with people who are studying to be music teachers as well as music teachers themselves.

MajoringInMusic June 21, 2013 at 11:26 am

Look at the sponsor schools on MajoringInMusic.com. Click on their Application & Audition links. Look for the International Student Admission Requirements at those schools to get an idea of what you need to do. Each school handles scholarships for international students differently. Note that you will need to apply and audition at any of the schools you are interested in attending, before they will consider you for scholarships. Some schools do send representatives to various Asian countries for auditions although you may need to travel to another Asian country to audition (Bangkok, Thailand for example).

Bigi Ransom June 20, 2013 at 11:11 am

Hi. I am currently doing a Bsc in Maths and computer science and will like to know if i could do a masters in audio engineering after my BSc?

Eric June 19, 2013 at 6:33 pm

I graduated from college 10 years ago with a bachelor’s degree in Music Performance and Music Education. I’d like to return to school to become a board certified Music Therapist. This will likely take at least 3-4 semesters of additional undergraduate studies. I’ve had a difficult time finding scholarships for students in my situation (holding a BA degree, returning to college for more undergraduate work). Do you have any suggestions? Thanks!

MajoringInMusic June 20, 2013 at 3:47 pm

Have you had a chance to read “ Music Majors: How to Choose a Music Therapy Program “? There are several comments below the article that address going back for music therapy certification without having to get another bachelor’s degree. Most of the schools with music therapy programs on MajoringInMusic.com do offer these programs. You’d need to ask each school you’re interested in as to whether they can help you find ways of affording their “Degree Equivalency Programs.” Also check the American Music Therapy Association scholarships and the Young Singers Foundation scholarship, both of which are on this scholarship page. See if you qualify.

Jenna June 2, 2013 at 10:30 am

I’m currently a senior, and having just finished my third year of college and my first year in jazz studies at the University of Northern Colorado, I’ve found a new passion of mine. I switched my major from harp performance to jazz studies in February 2013, and am pursuing a career being one of the few jazz harpists in the world. Because I switched my major so late in my college career, I will need to attend college for at least one more year, and after my fourth year is done, I will be cut off completely from my parents. Are there any scholarships that would benefit a 22 year old’s unique interest in jazz harp?

Jenna Jazz Harpist/Pianist

MajoringInMusic June 2, 2013 at 4:18 pm

Are there scholarships you can apply for that are offered through UNC? What about the American Harp Society? The International Jazz Harp Foundation? We assume you’ve checked some of the scholarships on this page, but if not, look at Sigma Alpha Iota, Golden Key, JEN, Nat’l. Federation of Music Clubs. We apologize if you’ve already checked some or all of these options.

Can we assume you’ve weighed the pros and cons of graduating with the skills and coursework you already have under your belt, and then gaining the additional skills and practice you need by studying with private teachers and finding ensembles and bands to jam and perform with?

Danielle May 15, 2013 at 8:03 pm

Hi, I am currently a student at Fullsail, and wanted to know if any scholarships are available for production students.

MajoringInMusic May 16, 2013 at 12:59 pm

Hi Danielle,

The schools themselves are typically the best source for scholarships. Visit these schools with Music Industry programs on MajoringInMusic.com for starters: Appalachian State, Azusa Pacific, Capital, Columbia College Chicago, Duquesne, Ithaca, Leeds, McNally Smith, Syracuse, Temple, UC Denver MEIS, The Hartt School, USC Thornton School of Music. In addition, Penn State and CU Boulder College of Music have music industry minor or certificate programs.

Get a personal response from any of these that you’re interested in, by filling out the forms on their pages under Music School Links in the top navigation bar.

And let us know how else we can be helpful.

Best wishes!

Michael May 7, 2013 at 7:46 am

Hi there I’m Michael Frederick, will be a junior next year and I plan on going to college to major in vocal music! I was wondering if there is any chance I could get help with finding a good college and help with tuition…….please answer back to me soon THANX for your concern:)

MajoringInMusic May 8, 2013 at 8:10 pm

Hi Michael,

Great to hear that you’re serious about pursuing vocal music at college. Have you read ABCs of Voice Degrees here on MajoringInMusic.com?

Before you plunge headlong into looking at all the possible schools that offer good voice programs (and there are MANY of them), take some time to consider the broader picture.

What kind of school fits you? Are there specific professors you know who you’d like to study with? Will you stay in your home town for college or are you interested in going wherever there’s a good program that you connect with and can afford to attend?

By answering these and other questions first, you will be able to narrow your focus and find schools that make sense. Check out articles in the Student Choices section on MajoringInMusic.com, especially Why You Need a Musical Mentor , Tips for Visiting Music Schools , and How to Choose a Music School .

These articles will answer many of your questions and provide you with the kind of food for thought that will really help guide you.

Then, look at the schools offering information on MajoringInMusic.com. Look at their scholarship/tuition information. Ask them questions right on the form on their page. Perhaps one or more of these schools will fit your criteria. If not, the sleuth work you do to figure this out will definitely help steer you in the right direction.

You’re smart to start this exploration now!

Joshua April 14, 2013 at 7:15 pm

Hi! I’m Joshua, 22yrs of age. I’m a self taught musician… play the violin, piano etc. I also do composition as I have been able to write a number of songs, violin solos, and chamber music. I’ve also been able to obtain some graded music theory certificates from the Music Society of Nigeria and theory Music Literacy certificate from Trinity GuildHall London… presently preparing for my theory grade 7 at Trinity GuildHall. I’ve been teaching in schools for close to 5 yrs now trying to raise money to further my music with little success due to the fact that I just concluded an Accounting Diploma course. I don’t know if it’s possible to get a kind of scholarship to further my music. I really believe I can do more but at this point I need a helping hand to achieve my dream of becoming a musicologist. Thank you.

MajoringInMusic April 15, 2013 at 6:04 pm

Hi Joshua, The larger scholarships typically come from the schools themselves. They’re typically given to students who show high level talent in their auditions, as well as the capacity to benefit from the school programs. You can read their scholarship pages to see whether they’re offered to international students and what the criteria are for getting those scholarships. Start by checking the schools on MajoringInMusic.com –– and then view their scholarship information right on this page. Also read responses to other comments on this page for additional guidance.

If you’re taking your Trinity Guild Hall exams in London, you should check out Leeds College .

If a degree isn’t as important as expanding your skills and knowledge, you may want to research online composition classes instead of a 2- or 4-year degree program. You sound multi-talented and persevering. Don’t give up on your dreams!

Nicole April 13, 2013 at 7:04 pm

Hi! I’ve been accepted late to the Eastman school of music, and I wasn’t expecting to get in so now I’m scrambling for a way to make the money work for it. I will be getting a master’s degree in viola performance. Most scholarships are for high schoolers and undergraduates it seems. I’m hoping there are some grad school scholarships available with late deadlines but I don’t see any on this list. I would love whatever advice you have!

MajoringInMusic April 14, 2013 at 2:58 pm

First of all, congratulations on your acceptance! This is exciting news!

On the flip side, it’s tough to be accepted and then be stuck around the finances of it all. Grad students typically rely on the departments that accept them for financial assistance. We assume you’ve already discussed the financial aspect of attending with the appropriate folks there (financial aid, graduate admissions, the department/teacher where you’d be studying). How supportive is the school regarding your circumstances? Did you receive other acceptances that you can leverage to raise whatever award they’ve already given you? Are awards for grad students still available? If not for your first semester, what about the second? Work/study options? Connections to community opportunities where you could find some paying work?

Bryan March 22, 2013 at 10:54 am

Hello! I am approaching my senior year in high school, and I’m a hip hop artist. I was curious if there are any scholarships that I could apply for in order to help me with college tuition.

MajoringInMusic March 24, 2013 at 3:03 pm

We’ll send you’re request to the Sponsoring Schools on MajoringInMusic.com that may have programs with a focus on hip hop.

Thanks for your comment!

Therese March 11, 2013 at 8:44 pm

My son is 21 years old, a senior in college, piano music major and he will graduate in May 13. He has auditioned, interviewed and been accepted for graduates studies at Westminster, Princeton, NJ and a couple of other schools. I know Westminster is his first choice and I would love for him to attend there but the cost is an issue. I would really appreciate any advice or recommendations for trustworthy sites for graduate students grants and/or scholarships for music. Thanks

MajoringInMusic March 12, 2013 at 12:09 pm

Congratulations to your son on his admission to his first-choice graduate school! And we know how hard it is to be accepted but not necessarily be able to afford it. We assume he’s checked the list of scholarships here on MajoringInMusic.com –– several are for current students, grad students, and young professionals.

We also assume your son has talked with Westminster’s graduate admission folks and the financial aid office there. To help defray costs, grad students are often offered teaching or research positions at the schools they’re accepted to. If the school is not offering enough assistance in his first year, does he have a good chance of receiving more in his second? Does the Career Development Office at Westminster have a job bank or job postings for grad students ––local opportunities to teach or accompany at schools, churches, temples, regional theaters, etc? Performance opportunities at weddings, company events, etc.? Another option is to look at the scholarships offered by professional organizations he currently belongs to or could join.

Let us know what else you find!

Bruce Rubin March 1, 2013 at 10:23 am

If any University music recruiters read this, I have a question for you. My family comes from a long tradition of musicians. My Grandfather was a famous Opera teacher in Chicago from the turn of the Century to the 50’s ( Alexander Nakutin) and have had some famous musicians in my family tree (The pianist Mischa Kottler). I also earned a degree in guitar many years ago. I have a daughter who has that extra talent spark and I do not know what to do for her. She is presently at USF and this school basically gutted its Opera program as she walked in the door. They have one awesome teacher I believe his name is Dr Bass. My daughter switched studios from another instructor and he decided to work with a Grad student and the first teacher has been somewhat retaliatory, at least from her perception, and has upset her to the point she is just going to go into journalism. Anyone have any ideas what to do with this kid, email me. It would be a waste to watch her do something else with her future.

MajoringInMusic March 3, 2013 at 6:25 pm

You sound very dissatisfied with what’s going on at USF. How does your daughter feel about her education there? Is she equally unhappy?

It’s hard to be a parent and watch your obviously very talented daughter not receiving the kind of education and support you’d like to see her getting. Yet, now that she is a college student, is she taking a proactive role in getting the guidance she needs concerning how to proceed? Has she exhausted the resources at USF for good advisement? If so, it’s time to look for outside assistance. Are there independent advisers, previous teachers, or mentors who could help guide her and look at options?

We do offer private consultation should you or your daughter (or both) wish to explore that option with us. Send us an email if you are interested. Otherwise, we wish you both well as she takes that very difficult step in altering her vision while making choices and decisions for how she pursues her college education.

BRUCE June 11, 2013 at 2:32 pm

She tried out for Hartt and was given a very good scholarship thank for your reply

MajoringInMusic June 11, 2013 at 4:10 pm

Delighted to hear this! Thanks for letting us know!

Santiago Hernández February 28, 2013 at 9:19 am

Good morning to you all,

I work on FILARMONICA JOVEN DE COLOMBIA (Colombian Youth Philharmonic), a social program in Colombia, South America, destined to make life proyects in music possible. The members of the orchestra are 16-24 years old, and all of them are studying in different colombian universities their major in music. They were selected after a long audition process, judged by an international faculty, making sure that the best young musicians of the country are the members of the orchestra. Most of them are part of very low income families and are interested on international graduate programs, but they do no have the necessary funds to make it. Do you know where should i refer to have information about possible scolarships for the members? Thank you for reading, and any kind of answer that you give me will really help the social program that we are developing with FILARMONICA JOVEN DE COLOMBIA.

MajoringInMusic March 2, 2013 at 7:46 pm

What wonderful work you are doing with Filarmonica Joven De Columbia! And what an exciting program.

As for graduate education and financial support for your orchestra members, our suggestion is to have students review admission and scholarship criteria at the schools they’re interested in attending. Scholarships tend to be more plentiful for graduate students, depending on their level of talent. Also check out the Federal Student AId for Non-U.S. Citizens on this page.

Best wishes to you, your program, and your students!

Raul Ontiveros February 10, 2013 at 2:57 pm

Im a jazz trombonist, and need assistance in the financial category. Are there any scholarships for Northern California Students? I am planning attending CSU Stanislaus as a incoming freshman

MajoringInMusic February 12, 2013 at 10:45 pm

We’ve put some feelers out to trombone organizations to find out if they know anything about trombone-specific scholarships. To learn about competitions that offer prizes, visit the International Trombone Guild’s Youth section.

We encourage you to talk directly to the folks at CSU Stanislaus and any other school that offers a program you’re interested in. They will know best about their own scholarship opportunities. Be sure to visit their websites first, however, so they don’t have to repeat what’s already there.

Remember to also see FAFSA for government-sponsored student aid. And check out other responses to comments on this page –– some may be relevant to you.

Also visit our Summer Camps & Programs page to learn about University of Redlands Pokorny Low Brass Seminar.

Jamie Amadasun February 7, 2013 at 5:17 am

Are there music scholarships for adopted african americans, african american classical vocalist, or anything for african americans and minorities?

MajoringInMusic February 7, 2013 at 3:20 pm

This scholarship section for prospective and current music majors is up-to-date and as exhaustive as possible. Read it thoroughly and then click on the links of any of the scholarships that may be useful to you. Also look at the list of schools and click on any that offer what you want to study (which sounds like voice). You’ll need to do some investigating to find out their criteria for scholarships. But each one has an email/phone that you can use to get specific information.

Also check out any scholarships offered by the state you live in, by the city where you live, by your family’s workplace. Read “Paying for Music School” by clicking on the link on this page.

Remember to check out FAFSA – pay close attention to their deadlines. Some of their rules have just changed, so be sure to click on the link in the above article to learn more.

ratna sari dewi January 30, 2013 at 12:18 pm

Hi, i’m Indonesian.. i play piano. i would really like to expand my skill and knowledge in jazz music.. i’ve worked to save money but it isn’t enough to study abroad. Also,i’m 25 yr old now.. Musical background : i’ve finished my study in music contemporary at a Music Institute in Indonesia. Gr5 theory and practice ABRSM. (for classical) perform in Java Jazz 2012, etc.. the first winner in Asean Beat vs Tokyo band sumit 2009. i wonder if it is still possible to apply for scholarship.. please help

MajoringInMusic January 31, 2013 at 9:25 pm

We recommend that you look at schools where you’d like to study. Then contact them to see what kind of scholarships they offer. How strong of a musician are you? That, as well as your proven financial need, will play heavily in their decision to offer you a spot in their schools as well as scholarship money.

But don’t stop there. What kind of support can you get from the area where you live? Are there organizations or programs that offer financial support to study the arts? Getting scholarship money takes research, and often you have to cobble together a variety of options in order to afford school. Also consider online programs – they may be more cost-effective for what you want to do.

You don’t say whether you already have an undergraduate degree, but if you do, you can also look into certificate programs that many music schools offer – these vary from school to school, are usually performance and private lesson-oriented, and can provide additional education for professional musicians as well as additional credentials.

Fernando Chavez January 30, 2013 at 9:29 am

Hello! I am a mexican immigrant that is trying to persue a career in audio production. I have applied to Miami International University of arts & design. I have very big Dreams. My gpa isnt the best. I dont meet the 3.3 gpa that most scholorships require. I have showed great potential in my art skills and music skills. Some of my art has been in national compititions. I believe that art and music are my way of expressing my creativity. I would like to know if i could be eligable for any scholorshisps?

majoringinmusic February 1, 2013 at 1:25 pm

Hi Fernando,

Are you pursuing art or music in college? We can’t tell from your comment, and our focus is music.

But here’s some general advice: Apply to a few schools, instead of just one, to have the best chance of being accepted. Any school you’re applying to will want to see what you can do, and admission as well as scholarships from the schools themselves will depend on a combination of your current talent, how much the schools feel they can help you grow your skills and talent as a student, and your financial need.

Some schools don’t focus as much on GPA but more on your artistic ability. If your GPA is low, you’ll want to look for those schools rather than the academically-demanding ones.

Also look at the response to Ratna Sari Dewi, below, for additional and relevant advice about scholarships.

John March 29, 2013 at 2:14 pm

I’m a candidate for graduation for my bachelors of music in music education here in Asia and im a green card holder.. Im planning to pursue another degree there in the US after graduation like piano performance and music therapy but the schools there requires very high GWA.

Im looking for good schools but all seem to have these high standards when it comes to GWA . Even certification in music therapy has high standards about the GWA its almost the same as graduate school.

Can you help me find a school that fits for me? A music therapy school or a grad school in music education..

But basically i will try to pass applications to different schools like university of the pacific etc. i just want to have backup plan when those rejection letter come.. Thank you so much! God bless!

MajoringInMusic April 1, 2013 at 10:24 am

It sounds like you need to clarify what it is that you want to do with your music degree. Consider taking some time after you graduate with your bachelor’s degree, to get a job or to volunteer in settings that allow you to explore both teaching and music therapy. Especially on the graduate level, the schools will take into consideration your reasons for wanting a graduate degree and how you think the graduate degree will serve you in your career. The better you think this out before you apply, and the more experience you have that confirms your interests, the better chance you’ll have of being accepted into a graduate program.

If you decide that music therapy is what you want to do in your career, check this out: How to Choose a Music Therapy Program . Be sure to also read the comments after the article. A number of excellent schools with music therapy programs are listed in the sidebar.

Spencer Lukasik January 30, 2013 at 6:52 am

Hi, I am currently a sophomore at Cedar Ridge high school in Round Rock, Texas. I have lived in Texas all my life, and through experience I have seen some of the competitiveness here and have taken up the challenge. I am the only student at my school to be in both the band and orchestra, playing two completely different instruments. I write orchestral pieces in my free time. Music is my passion, and more than anything I want to make it a career, but I am so worried about going to college. We don’t have very much money to begin with, and I don’t know if I can even go without a scholarship. I am open to almost every music-based college out there, as long as I can keep doing what I love. I am wondering if there is any way to get a scholarship based on musical performance (such as the Texas Regional competition) or based on versatility. I just need an idea of a path I should go, because the college experience and planning is overwhelming.

majoringinmusic February 1, 2013 at 1:42 pm

You’re smart to start thinking about this as a sophomore! Depending on how strong of a musician you are, you may be able to get scholarship money from the schools you apply to. But it also helps to scout out other kinds of scholarships that you may be able to get from community organizations, religious organizations, local companies, credit unions, parent places of employment, as well as through competitions.

Check with your high school counseling office to see if they maintain a list of scholarships that students at your high school can apply for. Also take a look at FAFSA’s site (federal aid for students) at fafsa.ed.gov.

If you haven’t yet combed the MajoringInMusic.com list of scholarships, we suggest you start now. The list keeps changing and growing, so visit often.

Denise January 27, 2013 at 11:36 am

Greetings! I am a South African student in my final year of high school and I would like to study composition specifically for film, tv and games. I’m searching for promising overseas scholarships as my parents are Not willing to support me if I choose to study music.

Musical background: Classical Piano Gr 6 Unisa, enrolled for Gr 7 Unisa Jazz Piano enrolled for Gr 5 Unisa Grade 5 Theory Unisa, enrolled for Gr 7 Royal Schools Additional: Gr 2 Viola Royal Schools, enrolled for Gr 3 Royal Schools and I sing in 2 choirs.

I’m open to any suggestions USA or England. Thank You!

MajoringInMusic January 28, 2013 at 12:39 pm

Two suggestions:

1. Check out the “Sponsoring Schools” with their own pages on MajoringInMusic.com. Several of them have the type of composition program you’re interested in. Use the form on each school’s page to ask specific questions about their programs and scholarship opportunities. They promise to respond!

2. Read some of the “Answers for Parents” articles on MajoringInMusic.com (under “Student Choices” in the navigation bar). These should give you some good ideas about how to talk with your parents about majoring in music. Find out what your parents’ concerns are. You may have to help them understand why you are wanting to study the area of music you mention, and your thoughts on career options. Then have them read some of these articles as well. Hopefully they’ll be impressed by your research, your patience with them, as well as your dedication to learning what it takes to move forward in music.

Don’t give up!

Hayley January 19, 2013 at 7:02 pm

Hey! I am a sophomore studying Music Education (instrumental concentration) at Texas Wesleyan University. I am a member of the National Honorary Band Fraternity, Kappa Kappa Psi. I’m looking for a possible scholarship or grant so that my chapter can buy lockers for the wind ensemble members at the school. The few we have are outdated and the larger instruments such as low brass are having to be placed in offices. Any suggestions?

MajoringInMusic January 21, 2013 at 2:18 pm

The scholarships we post are for individuals planning on majoring in music or already in music school and needing additional financial support.

I assume you and your chapter have explored all of the Kappa Kappa Psi award options as well as spoken with administrators at Texas Wesleyan, since the school will benefit ongoingly from the lockers. Have you considered Texas Wesleyan alums who might be interested in supporting your efforts, or local businesses that benefit from band activities? Another option is creating a Kickstarter campaign – these can be wonderfully successful.

Jose January 11, 2013 at 7:54 pm

Hi! My name is Jose and I am a recent grad student from Puerto Rico. I would like to do a post-graduate degree in conducting. Do you know any scholarships that can get to help me fulfill my dream? Thanks!

MajoringInMusic January 11, 2013 at 7:56 pm

Check each school you’re interested in — start by looking at our list of Sponsoring Schools – each lists tuition, financial aid, and scholarship information on MajoringInMusic.com. Fill out the inquiry form on each school’s page on MajoringInMusic.com and ask your questions directly to the schools once you’ve looked at their scholarships.

Note that if you are also a composer, the BMI Foundation offers annual Student Composer Awards. You can check them out on MajoringInMusic.com’s scholarship page under BMI Foundation.

Let us know how you do!

Katherine January 3, 2013 at 1:39 pm

Hello, I’m a current freshman at Berklee College of music and I’m having trouble with money. A lot of trouble. I fill out scholarships but I never get approved. Is there any scholarships for songwriting and singing. I’m a songwriter, I play piano and I sing. I’m majoring in songwriting and music business (dual major) help? please?

MajoringInMusic January 11, 2013 at 7:52 pm

Have you looked at the scholarships on MajoringInMusic.com to see if any are relevant for you to apply for? Have you looked at all of the scholarships your school offers and determined if there are any that you can apply for as a current student?

Talk with your school about what you need in order to continue on there. Hopefully, they’ll want to work with you to help keep you there. Are there work/study options? Does the career center know of any relevant jobs or paid internships you can apply for?

Check the Summer Music Camps & Programs page on MajoringInMusic.com – some of these programs hire college music majors. We’ll continue to add to the list, so keep checking!

Rasheed akeem December 24, 2012 at 1:57 am

Is there any scholarship for an ‘o level’ certificate/secondary school, to study theory of music in any of the schools?

MajoringInMusic December 27, 2012 at 6:12 pm

A good understanding of music theory is the gateway to so many aspects of music, including performance (as an individual and in ensembles, etc.), to improvisation, to music history. Community colleges, community music schools, summer music programs, universities with music schools and music departments offer music theory courses.

Take a look at the schools listed as “Sponsoring Schools” on the homepage of MajoringInMusic.com, and see if any of these are in your area. Then contact them through their inquiry forms to ask your specific questions about studying music theory there. Note that some of the schools also offer music theory online. And do check Professor Joel Clifft’s articles, “Making It Through Music Theory, Part 1 and Part 2.”

michelle December 22, 2012 at 8:52 pm

Hey I am Michelle. I write and sing songs and need help to nurture my talent. Help me get a scholarship. Am from Kenya, please.reply.

MajoringInMusic December 27, 2012 at 6:13 pm

Hi Michelle,

You sent the above comment to MajoringInMusic.com. You sound like a singer/songwriter. Do you want to go to college in the US or England to learn more? Have you had voice training? Have you studied music theory?

If you can answer the above questions and also let us know your age and what type of music you are interested in studying, we may be more helpful.

In the meantime, look at the schools that list their information on MajoringInMusic.com, and look at their financial aid and scholarship information. This should help you get started. Once you do this, let me know what questions you have.

With best regards!

Tony Wargo December 21, 2012 at 11:53 am

I want to return to school to earn a Bachelor’s degree in percussion. I have already earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business so I am ineligible for grants. I am also 33 years old. What scholarship/funding options exist for someone in my situation other than loans?

MajoringInMusic December 21, 2012 at 6:25 pm

Each school has its own bank of scholarship opportunities, and those are typically given based on merit and/or need. We checked with one school, the University of North Texas College of Music, and were told by Raymond Rowell, assistant dean for Scholarships and External Affairs, that age is not a consideration and that their “scholarships are competitive, merit-based awards determined by the appropriate area faculty scholarship committee on the basis of talent and professional promise.”

You don’t indicate what genre of music you want to study – there are often major-specific scholarships granted within music departments, schools and colleges.

We suggest that you look at all the schools that have their own pages on MajoringInMusic.com, to help you learn about them quickly and easily. (Find them under “Music School Sponsors” on the homepage, or under “Music School Links” on the top navigation bar of every page.)

Which schools offer what you want to study? Who is teaching in your area of interest at each of those schools? What are their application and audition criteria/

Once you find schools that seem like a good fit, ask your specific questions to each of them by filing out the inquiry forms on their page on MajoringInMusic.com. They’ve promised to get back in touch. There may be a delay because of the holidays but you will definitely hear back from them.

Ajayi adedayo December 16, 2012 at 12:54 pm

Hi, I’m a Nigerian and I want to ask if any of these schools have any scholarship plans for African students who want to study music.

MajoringInMusic December 17, 2012 at 12:07 pm

Hello Ajayi,

You don’t specify how much musical background you have, or what area of music you want to study. So our best suggestion is to look at the schools that have their own pages on MajoringInMusic.com — they’re all visible on the homepage under “Music School Sponsors” as well as in the top navigation bar on every page under “Music School Links.”

Find out everything you can about the schools that look like they could be a good fit for what you want to study. Then go ahead and fill out the inquiry forms on each school’s page on MajoringInMusic.com. Ask them your questions, including questions about scholarships. Know that each school on MajoringInMiusic.com is committed to getting back in touch with you.

Also be sure to check out the rest of the scholarship opportunities on MajoringInMusic.com.

Best wishes in your search!

Eun Go December 3, 2012 at 8:56 am

Hi, I am an exchange student from South Korea, and my major is Performance (piano). I’m planning to go to one of these colleges ( Peabody, New England Conservatory, Curtis, West Chester University, Penn State).

Is there any way I can get a scholarship? The average tuition fee is about $40,000 or above, and I know that my parents can’t pay that much.

MajoringInMusic December 3, 2012 at 2:44 pm

Hello Eun Go,

Thanks for your inquiry regarding scholarships. Each school has its own method of selecting students for scholarships, so I suggest you review each school’s website.

One of our sponsors has made it easy for you to learn more about them right here on MajoringInMusic.com at this link: Penn State School of Music . Be sure to flll out the inquiry form on their page, with any of your specific questions –– they’ll respond to you with helpful answers.

Best wishes in your search for an affordable music school.

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15 College Scholarships for Music Students

What’s covered:, college scholarships for music students.

• Collegevine Scholarship

Music is your passion, and you hope to pursue it at a higher level. For you, it’s a calling (and a gift). Already, you’ve made huge strides toward pursuing a career in your art.

If you’re looking to further your music education, you may be discouraged by the high price tag of many programs in your field. Fortunately, there are plenty of scholarships available to help you study and develop your passion.

1. ICEBERG New Music Young Composer Awards

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: N/A

Eligibility: N/A

Application Requirements: N/A

ICEBERG New Music, a collective of 10 young composers in New York City, furthers its mission of recognizing that “substance, not surface, is the heart of music creation and perception” with an annual Young Composer competition. Geared toward composers from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, the $1,000 awards help pre-collegiate composers pursue their education.

2. Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award Scholarship

Amount: Up to $10,000

Deadline: November 22 (2021)

Eligibility: Pre-collegiate musicians ages 8-18

Application Requirements: Application, two video or audio music clips, two recommendations, most recent tax returns, transcript, standardized test scores

Awarded by From the Top and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, these scholarships help offset the costs of studying classic music at a high level. 

Approximately 20 classical instrumentalists, vocalists, and composers with demonstrated unmet financial need, educational engagement, and creativity are selected to receive the award, which may be applied toward instrument purchases, summer camp tuition, college audition travel expenses, private lessons, or other music-related needs.

3. Dr. Robert Hawkins Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $1,000 and $2,000

Deadline: November 5 (2021)

Eligibility: Must be planning to attend or already attending a college or university in the U.S.

Application Requirements: Transcripts, three letters of recommendation, essay

Named for one of the Ten Outstanding Band Directors in the United States and a posthumous inductee into the Band Directors Hall of Fame at Troy State University, this scholarship recognizes future band directors. If you’re dreaming of following in the footsteps of your band director — or forging a brand-new path — this is the scholarship for you.

4. Davidson Fellowship

Amount: $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000

Deadline: February 23, 2022

Eligibility: Must be 18 or younger as of application deadline; teams of two are eligible

Application Requirements: A piece of significant work

Named one of U.S. News ’ 7 Prestigious Undergrad Scholarships, the Davidson Fellowship offers generous scholarships in the following areas: Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy, and Outside the Box. To enter, students must have completed a significant piece of work in one of these categories.

Projects are evaluated on creativity, innovation, impact, and their potential to make a positive contribution to society.

5. Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition for Young Opera Singers

Amount: $15,000-$18,000; $1,000-$2,000.

Deadline: Auditions vary by location

Eligibility: Young adults between 21-35

Application Requirements: Application and audition

The 50th Annual National Vocal Competition for Young Opera Singers is one of the most prestigious singing competitions in the world. This year, auditions will be held in New York and Los Angeles. Finalists will attend coaching sessions and rehearsals, as well as the Grand Finals Concert.

6. Fred J. Miller Memorial Music Education Fund Scholarship

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: October 25 (nomination form due)

Eligibility: Applicants must perform at a Bands of America Marching Championship and receive a nomination

Application Requirements: Nomination from band director, resume, essay

The Fred J. Miller Memorial Music Education Fund was established to support future music educators. Every year, a school’s band director may nominate two students for this scholarship. Students must demonstrate musicianship, leadership, skills, and work ethic, as well as plan to enroll in college within one year of graduating high school. They should also plan to pursue a degree in music education.

7. Music for All Foundation Yamaha Scholarship

Deadline: October 25

Eligibility: Applicants must be nominated and have at least a 3.0 GPA

This scholarship, like the previous, is made possible by the Music for All Foundation, dedicated to creating and providing “life-changing experiences through music for all.” These one-time awards recognize students nominated by directors of bands performing at Grand National Championships.

8. John Lennon Scholarships

Amount: $20,000 (total for three scholarships)

Deadline:  

Eligibility: College students and alumni between the ages of 17-24

Application Requirements: Original song submission

Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation, this scholarship honors talented student songwriters and composers of genres like alternative, pop, rock, indie, electronica, R&B, and experimental. Today, it is considered one of the most prestigious awards for emerging songwriters. Works are judged by a panel of songwriters, musicians, and music publishers and executives.

9. Oregon Music Hall of Fame Scholarship

Amount: N/A

Deadline: March 15, 2022

Eligibility: Graduating Oregon high school seniors 

Application Requirements: Application, letters of recommendation, essay

Young musicians who are residents of Oregon are eligible for this annual award. Applicants should have exhibited serious pursuit and accomplishment in their musical students and want to continue to study music in college. Along with a monetary scholarship, recipients will perform on stage at an awards presentation.

10. Justin Veatch Fund Music Scholarship

Deadline: April 15

Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors living within a 40-mile radius of Yorktown Heights, NY

Application Requirements: Application, examples of musical work, statement, references

The Justin Veatch Fund was established by Jeffrey Veatch in memory of his son, Justin, who died from a drug overdose at age 17. Justin was on the verge of recording his first music album, and his family establish an eponymous fund to support and inspire musically talented teenagers. To apply, students should write a 500-word statement on how they plan to use the scholarship.

11. Iowa Scholarship for the Arts

Amount: $2,500

Deadline: April 1, 2022

Eligibility: Open to Iowa high school seniors; must be planning to enroll at an Iowa college or university

Application Requirements: Video or audio files demonstrating talent and abilities

The Scholarship of the Arts supports talented Iowa students who plan to study at an Iowa college or university. Examples of performing arts categories include music, film, theatre, dance, performance art, and music composition. Students should be planning on pursuing a major in at least one of the following arts areas: animation, architecture, creative writing, dance, English, fashion, fine arts education, folk & traditional arts, graphic design, literature, media arts, music, theatre or visual arts.

12. Marine Band Concerto Competition for High School Musicians

Amount: $2,500, $1,000, or $500

Deadline: November 15, 2022

Eligibility: Musicians in grade 9-12; open to woodwind, brass, and percussion players in 2022 and string, piano, and harp players in 2023 (reverses every other year)

Application Requirements: Performance recording submitted as a YouTube video, application form, letter of recommendation

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, honors talented musicians with this scholarship. Students should select one work and submit a recording, accompanied by a piano, band, or orchestra, as a YouTube link.

Finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C., to compete in a final performance, accompanied by the Marine Band. They will also receive coaching by a member of “The President’s Own.”

13. Central Florida Jazz Society Scholarship Competition

Deadline: April 18, 2022

Eligibility: Open to high school seniors or students within their first three years of college; must be a resident of or attend college in Central Florida

Application Requirements: Audition audio or video clip, letter of recommendation, application

Amateur jazz musicians who are living in or attend or are planning on attending college in Central Florida may apply for this scholarship, which will help them further their studies in jazz music (the award must be used for education-related expenses). Five scholarships are awarded.

14. Colburn-Pledge Music Scholarship

Amount: $3,000 divided among several students

Deadline: April 30

Eligibility: Applicants must be residents of Greater San Antonio (counties include Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina, Wilson) on the date of applying and for a period of at least 6 months prior, or prior to having entered a music school, college, or university, if attending an out-of-state institution at the time of applying.

Application Requirements: Application and audition (video in 2021)

Texas residents who are studying a bowed string instrument, such as the violin, viola, cello, or bass, who want to become a professional musician are eligible to win this scholarship. Students must have demonstrable financial need and possess “genuine musical talent.” Although out-of-staters are ineligible, recipients may attend music programs outside of Texas.

15. School Band and Orchestra Essay Contest

Deadline: April 30, 2022

Eligibility: Students in grades 4-5 or 9-12  (judged in separate age groups) in a school instrumental program

Application Requirements: Essay in response to an annual prompt

Students participating in any k-12 instrumental program are welcome to write a 250-word essay in response to a prompt about music and its impact. This year, the question is, “Why did you join band, and why did you stick with it?” SBO also awards prizes to the schools the recipients attend.

Bonus #16: CollegeVine

It’s always scholarship season at CollegeVine! We offer weekly prizes of $500+, and it’s free to enter — all you have to do is create an account on our website. Increase your odds of winning by building a school list, calculating your financial aid, reviewing essays, inviting friends to join, or answering questions!

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Scholarship Resources for Music Students

The following scholarship and grant opportunities are available to high school and college students involved in music education and music performance. They are provided here for the convenience of Tri-M Honor Society and NAfME Collegiate  members .

For more information on these scholarships, please visit the websites referenced. Know of a scholarship or opportunity that should be added to this list? E-mail  [email protected] . 

This page will be updated for the coming school year soon.

Browse Scholarships

Click on a category below to browse the scholarships:

Scholarships for High School Juniors

Scholarships for high school seniors, scholarships for college students, helpful links, music related scholarships, marine band concerto competition.

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, is pleased to announce its Concerto Competition for High School Musicians is open for applications. (All materials due Nov. 15, 2023). The winner will appear as a guest soloist with the Marine Chamber Orchestra and receive a $2,500 scholarship from the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. Second and third-place winners will receive $1,000 and $500 scholarships respectively.

• Deadline to apply: November 15, 2023

School Band & Orchestra Magazine Essay Scholarship

This scholarship offers prize money to students who write an essay of 250 words or less on a music theme. The deadline for the 23rd annual essay contest is March 31, 2024, 10PM CT.

• Selected students win a $1,000 scholarship and music products for their school music program.
• Public and private school students in ANY type of public, charter, or private k-12 school instrumental  or vocal program are eligible.

Davidson Fellows

The Davidson Fellowship is open to students who can demonstrate noteworthy achievements through the creation of a “significant piece of work” aimed at improving the lives of others in several subject areas, including music. A “significant piece of work” in music would be an exemplary performance and/or another demonstration of extraordinary accomplishment.

• Awards are granted in the amount of $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000.
• Applicants must be under the age of 18 to be eligible for this award.
• The 2022 application will be available November 1.

VSA International Young Soloists Competition

Each year, outstanding young musicians with disabilities, ages 14-25, are recognized by the VSA International Young Soloists Competition. The Kennedy Center selects up to four winners from around the world. Applicants can apply as an instrumental or vocal soloist, or as ensembles. The competition is open to all genres. Selected musicians win a $2,500 prize, professional development activities, and the opportunity to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Any musician with a disability is eligible to apply as either a domestic applicant or an international applicant. The competition is open to soloists as well as ensembles of up to five members. For ensembles to be eligible, at least one musician must have a disability, and all members must be between the ages of 14-25. All genres of music are accepted, including but not limited to classical, jazz, hip-hop, rap, rock/alt rock, pop, indie, bluegrass, folk, country, R&B/blues, Latin, and World

Deadline: January 18, 2023 Application information can be found on the VSA website.

National YoungArts Foundation

YoungArts accepts applications from young artists in the categories of Classical Music, Dance, Design Arts, Film, Jazz, Photography, Theater, Visual Arts, Voice and Writing for its national competition. Artists age 15-18 or in grades 10-12 may apply to win cash awards and scholarships and the chance to be named a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.

• Individual awards of up to $10,000 are available.
• The 2023 competition is now open. Deadline to enter: October 14, 2022.

Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter of the Year Music Scholarships

These scholarships are available to members of the Tri-M® Music Honor Society , a program of NAfME. The scholarship program offers scholarship money for summer study programs to chapters that win one of three recognitions at the national level in each division: senior (high school) and junior (middle school). Scholarship money is awarded by the advisors of the winning chapters to deserving students.

• Open only to members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
• Apply now ! Winners have the chance to win up to $1,000 in scholarship funds for summer music study.
• Deadline: April 29

Schmidt Vocal Scholarships

Schmidt Vocal Competition winners who choose to pursue a career in music may be eligible for need-based scholarship assistance to their college or university of choice.

• Singers who are first-, second-, or third-place winners of Schmidt Vocal Arts national competitions
• A committee reviews need by evaluating a family’s ability to pay
• Students are expected to major in Vocal Performance and maintain a 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 grading scale
• Schmidt prefers to provide “last-in” funding. In other words, the student has secured nearly all the necessary tuition through other sources.

Learn more about Schmidt Vocal Scholarships.

Jazz at the Ballroom Scholarships for California Students

The competition is open to high school jazz instrumentalists in California. Three winners will be picked by a panel of professional jazz musicians based on their submissions and awarded $1000 each to further their music studies. The students who aren’t finalists are invited to join a database of students invited to free workshops.

In addition, the winners’ respective schools will also receive $500 to support the ongoing development of their music programs.

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a California high school program, between the ages of 14–18
• Deadline: December 9, 2022. Winners announced January 27, 2023.

Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge

The Musical Theater Songwriting Challenge is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts partnering with the American Theatre Wing and in collaboration with Concord Theatricals, Disney Theatrical Productions, iHeartRadio Broadway, and NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation. The Songwriting Challenge is a national competition for high school students who have a passion for writing songs that could be part of a musical theater production and the wide range of musical styles represented in contemporary musical theater including hip-hop, rock, R&B, country, jazz, and more.

Students for the Songwriting Challenge will be selected from across the country and paired with mentors working professionally in musical theatre to develop their songs into Broadway-stage-ready compositions, via video chats and working sessions. Students’ songs will be professionally recorded by Broadway artists in New York City. The songs will included on a digital album on all major streaming services, and broadcast on iHeartRadio Broadway, as well as published in a songbook by Concord Theatricals.

• Deadline January 31, 2024; follow the NEA on social media for more information ( Twitter ; Facebook ).

The Music Center’s Spotlight

Southern California High School students of ALL skill levels are encouraged to apply for FREE. Much more than a competition, Spotlight is a scholarship and arts training program, which empowers students by emphasizing preparation, courage, critical thinking and perseverance while providing an invaluable opportunity for students to hone their skills! $100,000 in cash scholarships are awarded each year to students. Personalized feedback, master classes with world renowned artists, performing arts workshops and more!

• Deadline: October 17

Flying Musicians Association – FMA Solo Program/Scholarship

Musician: a person who writes, sings or plays music.

Calling high school student musicians with a passion to learn to fly. There are specific skills and characteristics establish in student musicians: practice, timing, and perfection along with hand eye coordination, multi-tasking, listening, and working closely with others. Musicians are taught to practice for perfection in order to perform at a very high level of accuracy. These are traits you also find in good pilots.

The Flying Musicians Association, Inc (FMA) is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization for pilot/musicians. The annual FMA Solo program for junior and senior high school music students is unique. Students must be nominated by their music director/teacher for the program which includes a FREE membership into the ever-expanding network of pilot/musicians from around the world who have the ability to inspire, motivate, encourage, and assist in achieving goals in academics, aviation, and music. FMs share passions to expand opportunities.

Recipients will receive funds to assist in flight training and help them go from zero time to solo. Training materials and equipment donated by members and sponsors is also included. FMA will familiarize the recipient with the aviation community, the obstacles of training, and other opportunities to assist in achieving their dream of flight.

• Nomination deadline January 31st
• Nominee must be 16 years old by March 31st
• Awards announced May 1st
• Parental approval required under 18 years old
• Details and journals from past recipients

Coastal Concerts Scholarships

Coastal Concerts may award scholarships of up to $1,500 each to High School students, and up to $1,000 each to Middle School students residing in the Delmarva Peninsula, one of whom in each category must be a resident of Sussex County. Students will be competing only against those in their own age group. The scholarships awarded will be based upon performance. Scholarships may be used for music camps, university courses, instrument purchase/repair, or music lessons. The scholarship application period runs from November 15, 2021, to February 15, 2022. Scholarship decisions are made by early March.

• Deadline: February 15, 2022

Community Service/Extracurricular Activities Oriented-Scholarships

The discover student loans scholarship award.

The Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award Sweepstakes (the “Sweepstakes”) is open only to residents of the fifty (50) United States, the District of Columbia, and the US territories who are at least sixteen (16) years old at the time of entry. Entrants must also be high school senior students who will be or college students who are enrolled at least half-time in a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree program or graduate program at an eligible school within one (1) year of winner notification/confirmation or parent/legal guardians of students that satisfy the above eligibility requirements.

• Throughout the year, 12 eligible students or parents will be randomly selected to win a $5,000 Discover Student Loans Scholarship Award to help cover college expenses.
• Click here for a list of deadlines occurring throughout the year

SYTA Youth Foundation “Road” Scholarship

Students planning educational travel programs but needing financial assistance can apply for a “Road” Scholarship offered by the SYTA Youth Foundation, Inc. (SYF). The SYF provides scholarships three times a year. Music directors, teachers, principals, and other youth leaders can submit nominations.

• All Road Scholarship nominations are required to be submitted by an educator, program leader, or designated school official for students in grades K-12 and 18 years of age or younger. Please note that the SYTA Youth Foundation (SYF) will not consider nominations submitted by parents and/or guardians.
• Awards up to $1,000 are available.
• Fall application opens September 19, 2022, and closes November 11, 2022.

Donald Runnicles Musical Arts Scholarship Competition

Grand Teton Music Festival Annual Scholarship Competition. The Grand Teton Music Festival presents its fifth annual Scholarship Competition named for its Music Director, Sir Donald Runnicles. The competition is open to High School seniors in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho who interested in attending college for music. The first round begins with a pre-screening video audition and online application. From these audition videos, GTMF will select 6 semi-finalists to travel to Jackson, WY to perform in Walk Festival Hall for a panel of professional orchestra musician judges, including Maestro Runnicles himself.

• First prize is $25,000; second prize is $15,000; and third prize is $10,000.
• Deadline: Friday, May 6, 2022, 11:59 PM MT
• The date of the Scholarship Competition Semi-finals and Finals will be Monday, July 11, 2022.

Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Scholarship

This award is given to graduating high school seniors or first-year college students who intend to make music a central part of their future life.

• Applicants submit audition CDs or tapes; finalists compete in Clarinda, Iowa; and 3 instrumentalists and 3 vocalists are chosen to perform at the Glenn Miller Festival. Winners receive up to $4,500.
• Competition scheduled for June 9, 2022

This scholarship offers prize money to students who write an essay of 250 words or less on a music theme.

The deadline for the 23rd annual essay contest is March 31, 2024, 10PM CT.

Hartford Jazz Society (HJS) Scholarship

Scholarships are awarded annually with an award value between $1000.00 and $3000.00 depending on the number of applicants and the quality of submissions. Scholarships are paid directly to the student, who must provide HJS with a completed W-9 form. The HJS does not require live auditions.

• Deadline June 1, 2022

HJS Scholarship Selection Criteria:

• Graduating high school senior
• Connecticut Capitol Region resident
• Attending a four-year college or university
• Music major with interest in jazz
• Talent as judged by a panel

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Scholarship

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation provides funds to select seniors from Cleveland and New York City public high schools who intend to study music or the business of music at the college level. Scholarships are awarded based on personal essays. The scholarships total $50,000 with the monies split evenly between Cleveland and New York.

• General applications deadline: March 15, 2022
• Corporate/Group applications deadline: April 15, 2022
• Renewal requirements: April 1, 2022

Any musician with a disability is eligible to apply as either a domestic applicant or an international applicant. The competition is open to soloists as well as ensembles of up to five members. For ensembles to be eligible, at least one musician must have a disability, and all members must be between the ages of 14-25.

All genres of music are accepted, including but not limited to classical, jazz, hip-hop, rap, rock/alt rock, pop, indie, bluegrass, folk, country, R&B/blues, Latin, and World Deadline: January 18, 2023 Application information can be found on the VSA website .

CBC Spouses Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship Competition

This scholarship fund is operated by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and offers scholarship funds to highly motivated students who plan to attend, or are currently attending, an accredited college or university or are pursuing a career in the performing arts.

• Deadline: April 30, 2022

The competition is open to high school jazz instrumentalists in California. Three winners will be picked by a panel of professional jazz musicians based on their submissions and awarded $1000 each to further their music studies. The students who aren’t finalists are invited to join a database of students invited to free workshops. In addition, the winners’ respective schools will also receive $500 to support the ongoing development of their music programs.

Southern California High School students of ALL skill levels are encouraged to apply for FREE . Much more than a competition, Spotlight is a scholarship and arts training program, which empowers students by emphasizing preparation, courage, critical thinking and perseverance while providing an invaluable opportunity for students to hone their skills! $100,000 in cash scholarships are awarded each year to students. Personalized feedback, master classes with world renowned artists, performing arts workshops and more!

Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition

The Yamaha Young Performing Artists Program (YYPA) recognizes outstanding young musicians from the world of classical, jazz and contemporary music. Winners of this competition will be invited to attend an all-expense paid weekend at the Music for All™ Summer Symposium, receive a once in a lifetime performance opportunity in front of thousands, national press coverage, receive a recording and photos of the live performance, and participate in workshops designed to launch a professional music career. Winners also will enjoy many of the privileges of a Yamaha Artist, including services and communication with Yamaha’s Artist Relations department.

• 2024 YYPA competition deadline is January 14, 2024, 11:59PM ET

Montana: American Indian Music Scholarships

As Montana’s only nonprofit community music school, North Valley Music School founded this scholarship to encourage the pursuit of music education, provide philanthropic funding for American Indians and indigenous communities, and enable broader public awareness of the diverse musical contributions of Montana’s American Indians to the culture of our state and region. We seek to honor and award such individuals as role models of citizenship, creativity, and entrepreneurship in the arts.

• Two $500 scholarships to be used for any need
• Application deadline: March 31, 2022

Lift Up Our Voices Scholarship

The Lift Up Our Voices Scholarship focuses on broadening the number of female-identifying students and students of color in the field of music composition. This $3,500 scholarship is eligible to candidates who fit these criteria .

• 2023 application opens in September

Southeastern Performance Apparel Music Education Scholarship

The Southeastern Performance Apparel Music Education Scholarship is a nomination-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors that intend to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at an accredited university or college. Students are recognized as highly motivated, difference-makers with a dedication and desire to lead, serve and teach. Each year two recipients are selected to each receive the $1,000 scholarship.

• Deadline for Teacher Nominations: December 15, 2021
• Deadline for Student Nominee Application Submissions: February 15, 2022

Musicians Making a Difference Scholarship

Pearl is proud to announce the “Musicians Making A Difference” college scholarship initiative that will award $10,000 annually in the amount of two $5,000 scholarships to high school musicians who have demonstrated the ability to change themselves, their community, and those around them. A diverse panel of Pearl staff and artists will select recipients based on the student’s contributions to their community, and not their playing or vocal ability. Our objective is to reward and inspire the youth that will shape tomorrow. We look forward to the engagement and interaction with all who share our goals. Learn about eligibility requirements.

• Deadline: April 15, 2022

Big Arts Performing and Creative Arts Scholarship

BIG ARTS offers a Performing and Creative Arts Scholarship Award Program to high school seniors who are planning to study the arts or to students who are currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program. Scholarships are available to students who have professional goals to pursue visual arts, music, dance, theater, literary arts or film. The purpose of the award program is to encourage artistic development in students.

• To apply or learn more about the BIG ARTS 2022 Scholarship Award Program, go to www.bigarts.org or call the BIG ARTS office at 239-395-0900.
• Deadline: March 25, 2022

Lessons in Your Home Scholarship

The Lessons In Your Home Scholarship is open to prospective and enrolled college students (high school seniors who are 18 are also welcome). A $500 scholarship is being awarded for the Fall of 2022. This scholarship can only be used for educational expenses including tuition, books, rooming, and other appropriate expenses.

• Deadline: March 25, 2022 (winner to be notified April 12, 2022)

Musician: a person who writes, sings or plays music. Calling high school student musicians with a passion to learn to fly. There are specific skills and characteristics establish in student musicians: practice, timing, and perfection along with hand eye coordination, multi-tasking, listening, and working closely with others. Musicians are taught to practice for perfection in order to perform at a very high level of accuracy. These are traits you also find in good pilots.

CBC Spouses Education Scholarship

This opportunity awards scholarships to academically talented and highly motivated full-time African-American or Black students pursuing an undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degrees in a variety of fields.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards a total of $3.4 million annually in achievement-based, four-year scholarships to 250 outstanding high school seniors from communities across the U.S. Students will be selected based on their leadership, academics, extracurricular activities, character, motivation to succeed, and community service.

• 200 Regional Scholarships of $10,000 each and 50 National Scholarships of $20,000 each will be rewarded.
• Deadline: October 31 (applications reopen on August 1)

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Sponsored in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, these awards honor young people in grades 5 through 12 who have volunteered in their communities. This award program is the country’s largest volunteer recognition program for young people.

• Deadline: November 4

Scholarships for Marching Musicians The following organizations offer resources for marching musicians who are looking for college funds.

• Music for All : provides music scholarships including the Revelli Fund for students planning to complete a music degree
• Winter Guard International : provides funds to select annual WGI World Championships participants. Next deadline: February 7, 2022.
• Women Band Directors International : offers scholarships from $300 to $500 to women

BMI John Lennon Songwriting Program

The John Lennon Scholarships are an annual competition open to student songwriters and composers of contemporary musical genres including alternative, pop, rock, indie, electronica, R&B, and experimental. Through the generosity of Ono and Gibson Musical Instruments, three scholarships totaling $20,000 are presented annually for the best original songs submitted to the competition. Applicants must be U.S. college students between the ages of 17 and 24. Works are judged by a prestigious panel of music publishers, songwriters, musicians, and executives.

• Through the generosity of Ono and Gibson Musical Instruments, three scholarships totaling $20,000 are presented annually for the best original songs in any musical genre.
• Deadline: February 4, 2022
• See the BMI Contest page for more information.

Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship

The Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship was created by Shannon’s family and friends in coordination with the National Association for Music Education to honor her exemplary life and her love of teaching music.

• The scholarship award is available to graduating seniors from any higher education institution pursuing a degree in music education and planning to teach or pursue an advanced degree in music.
• Scholarship will be awarded prior to graduation.
• The scholarship award is open to current members of NAfME Collegiate, who have been nominated for the NAfME Collegiate Professional Achievement Recognition . The award recipient will be chosen from this group of nominees.
• Applicants submit audition CDs or tapes; finalists compete in Clarinda, Iowa; and 3 instrumentalists and 3 vocalists are chosen to perform at the Glenn Miller Festival. Winners receive up to $4,000.

Great Value Colleges Music Scholarship for Black Students

Great Value Colleges has developed a scholarship that is available for Black undergraduate or graduate students who are majoring or minoring in music. Whether you are pursuing a degree in music performance, music education, music therapy, or some other type of music major, we invite you to apply for our twice yearly $5,000 scholarship .

• Application Deadlines: July 30 (fall award); November 30 (spring award).
• More information about the scholarship application process
• Deadline: January 18, 2023
• Application information can be found on the VSA website .

Top of the Rock Peggy Gram Scholarship Fund

The Top of the Rock Peggy Gram Scholarship Fund provides scholarships specifically to women involved in Music Education or Vocal Performance Education at the secondary level to assist in the furtherance of their music education. Women who have completed at least one semester at the university level achieving at least 12 credits are eligible to apply for the scholarship to be awarded annually in the spring for the subsequent academic year.

BIG ARTS offers a Performing and Creative Arts Scholarship Award Program to high school seniors who are planning to study the arts or to students who are currently enrolled in an accredited undergraduate program.Scholarships are available to students who have professional goals to pursue visual arts, music, dance, theater, literary arts or film. The purpose of the award program is to encourage artistic development in students.

House of Blues Music Forward Foundation

Music Forward transforms lives, inspires careers and champions a more inclusive music industry. Focusing on young people from under-served communities, Music Forward sets the stage for success by providing workshops, showcases, scholarships, and internships to inspire the next generation of music industry leaders and innovators.

• A total of four $10,000 scholarships will be awarded to outstanding college students—in either their junior or senior year—majoring in music business and/or related fields at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
• Applications open January

The Lessons In Your Home Scholarship is open to prospective and enrolled college students. A $500 scholarship is being awarded for the Fall of 2022. This scholarship can only be used for educational expenses including tuition, books, rooming, and other appropriate expenses.

Native Launchpad

Native Launchpad is the cornerstone program of Advancing Indigenous Performance (AIP), Western Arts Alliance’s national initiative to create new touring and presentation opportunities for US-based Indigenous performing artists. Four awardees will each receive direct financial and travel support, mentoring/coaching, career development and promotional benefits over three years — a package valued at $40,000. Applications, which are open to Native performing artists residing in the US and territories, are being accepted through 5pm PT on Wednesday, April 27.

• Deadline to apply : April 27, 2022

Native Artist Opportunity Fund

This new financial assistance award program from Western Arts Alliance’s AIP program will aid US-based Indigenous performing artists with short-term needs related to the promotion, development and sharing of their work or practice. The program, which is open to Indigenous performing artists residing in the US and territories, is designed to be flexible and responsive to artists’ needs; artists may apply for funds for a wide range of eligible uses, with grants capped at $750. The program has a rolling deadline, with a monthly review process.

• Rolling deadline — apply now

CBCF NREI Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Scholarship

The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s National Racial Equity Initiative for Social Justice (NREI) HBCU Social Justice Scholarships were created to encourage and support the next generation of social justice leaders committed to dismantling systemic barriers and advancing equity, freedom, and justice for all, especially the Black community and racial minorities. The funds will be disbursed on an annual basis to undergraduate, graduate or doctoral level students attending Historically Black Colleges or Universities, pursuing studies related to social justice to include, but not limited to, criminal justice, education, civil rights or community/economic development. Students must demonstrate their interests and experience in social justice, student activism, and/or community service.

Other Scholarships and Grants

The Propel Center Scholarships

This new scholarship program, directed at HBCU students who are interested in pursuing careers in entrepreneurship, arts & entertainment, agri-tech, social justice and health, is open to rising sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students alike. Propel Center will donate a total of 100 $10,000 scholarship awards to the winners, an investment that the Center believes will help to transform the nation’s talent pipeline and workforce. The Student Impact Scholarship winners will also have the unique opportunity to participate in work-based learning opportunities with Propel Center’s corporate partners.

To apply for the 2022 Propel Student Impact Scholarships, students must complete an online application and may also submit a self-created video or infographic describing how their interest in entrepreneurship, the arts & entertainment, agri-tech, social justice or health aligns with the Propel Center’s mission. Applicants are encouraged to share their video or infographic submission on a social media platform and tag Propel Center. All video submissions should also be shared via Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube, while infographics should be shared on the applicant’s Pinterest, Facebook or Twitter channels.

• Deadline: March 14, 2022.
• Scholarship winners will be notified March 23, 2022

Osmosis “Raise the Line” Scholarship

This scholarship signifies Osmosis’s continued support of education in the health sciences. Training health professionals has never been more important in our lifetimes. At Osmosis, we believe every healthcare student deserves the best education possible. And we’re doing whatever we can to reach further and help students on this journey. We’re providing six scholarships—one $5,000.00 USD award and five individual $1,000.00 USD awards—to selected students pursuing a degree in medicine, nursing, or other health science-related degrees.

• More information

International Alliance for Women in Music: 2022 Education Grant

The International Alliance for Women in Music is offering a $300 classroom grant to music educators of students aged 4-18. This grant is to help teachers bring a greater focus on women in music to their students through professional development, materials, commissions, guest artists, or other media. Projects may vary, and we encourage applicants to be as creative as they wish in their proposals. The grant may be used to supplement other funds for a large project.

• Deadline to apply : October 25, 2022

AdvertiseMint Facebook Advertising Scholarship

The AdvertiseMint Advertising and Marketing Scholarship Program was created to help students jump start their businesses while in school by utilizing Facebook advertising .

• Scholarship submission due by October 31.
• Winning submission selected by November 29.

Aging Matters Scholarship

SeniorCare.com continues to bring more awareness to the key issues we face as an aging population. For the 7th consecutive year, we will be awarding an annual college scholarship to an individual that best demonstrates to us why “Aging Matters” to them. A $1500 scholarship will be given annually to a selected college student that currently cares for an aging loved one, works within the senior community, or intends to pursue a career that will have an impact on the elder population. Any existing student (or incoming freshman), in good academic standing, at a 2- or 4-year accredited college can apply for this scholarship. The recipient will demonstrate a unique and admirable understanding and desire to show us that “Aging Matters” to them.

• Deadline Date: May 15th, 2022
• Selection Date: June 15th, 2022

Alfred Nash Patterson grants

Grants may be used in a wide variety of ways to support choruses and choral singing, such as to help fund a performance, to commission new choral works, to enable outreach activities, and for seminars or other special activities that broadly benefit the choral community. We encourage ambitious and collaborative projects, and generally will happily consider applications for well-considered projects conducted more than one year in the future, to allow time for planning. Criteria for funding are described below.

• Grants will be made in amounts up to $2,500.
• Deadline: February 28, 2022

Florin|Roebig Scholarship Essay Contest

The law firm of Florin|Roebig knows how valuable higher education can be, not only in shaping society but in helping young people reach their long-term academic and professional goals. For this reason, we’re proud to announce a scholarship contest awarding $1,500.

Award Details:

• First place: $750
• Second place: $500
• Third place: $250
• Scholarship award funds will be sent directly the scholarship winner’s University/College

Learn more about eligibility and how to apply.

2022-2023 Clean Energy Scholarship for Students

Write us an essay based on the clean energy debate and submit it to our scholarship email. Winners will be announced in December 2022. What Is the Best Source of Clean Energy and Why? Calling on your own human experience living in a world that is fighting for solutions for cleaner, sustainable, and renewable energy solutions, as well as thorough research from credible sources, write an original essay which discusses this topic. More details

• First place : $750
• Second place : $500
• Third place : $250

Award winnings will be made payable to the educational institution of scholarship winners in January 2023. Apply now

State Music Educators Association Scholarships

Some state music educators associations offer scholarships to high school or college music students. Visit the NAfME  Federated State Associations page  and click on your state MEA website to check for opportunities.

Scholarship Information and Resources

The BMI Foundation, Inc.

The BMI Foundation is a non-profit that supports music study and performance through various awards and scholarships.

ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers) offers a variety of songwriting contests, some of which award cash prizes. The ASCAP Foundation offers a list of music-related awards and scholarships.

Scholarships for Music Majors

MajoringinMusic.com has compiled a comprehensive list of scholarships for music majors, along with helpful tips.

Online Education Database

Includes a list of music scholarships and grants of up to $10,000.

Develops a “customized profile” to match applicants with potential scholarships. NOTE: This website DOES have a marketing angle. You will be asked if you would like to receive information, or have your name provided to their supporters for marketing purposes. If you do not wish to receive any marketing information, simply click on all “no thank you” options. NAfME cannot be held responsible for any marketing contact you may receive through the use of this website.

45+ College Scholarships for Minority Students

Published by Purdue University Global, this resource shares upwards of 45 scholarships for students as well as potential graduate students to supplement the cost of education. Also, highlighted within the resource are opportunities dedicated to specific demographics.

Scholarships for Women

This article introduces dozens of college scholarships for women, including scholarships for Black women, scholarships for single mothers, and scholarships for Hispanic women.

Scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/a Students

According to the National Center for Education Statistics , the percentage of Hispanic individuals aged 18-24 who were enrolled in postsecondary education programs increased from 22% in 2000 to 36% in 2018. With this increased presence in higher education, the need for grants and scholarships for Hispanic and Latino/Latinx learners continues to grow. To help with this BestColleges.com created a guide to all the top scholarships available for Latino/Latinx students.

Coding Bootcamp Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students

This guide highlights a few of the coding bootcamp scholarships available to members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“ Grants vs. Scholarships: Paying for College with Gift Aid ” published by San Joaquin Valley College

Scholarships.com

Provides a customized profile for information on college choices, available Federal loans and scholarship opportunities.

The College Board’s Scholarship Search

An online tool that locates scholarships, internships, grants, and loans to match education level, talents, and background criteria entered through a questionnaire.

Unusual Scholarships!

Are you left-handed? Do you have a prom outfit made out of duct tape? Check out these unusual scholarships — who knows what you might find!

Sallie Mae College Answer

Provides a free scholarship search to provide customized scholarship leads.

U. S. Department of Education FSA Scholarship Basics and Tips

By following a few tips—such as looking for scholarships everywhere, understanding their criteria, and staying organized—you could be awarded thousands of dollars for school. Though there’s no guarantee you’ll be awarded any money, the effort may be worth it if you’re willing to put in the time.

A comprehensive guide to financial aid, military aid, and loans. Includes a guide to filling out financial aid paperwork.

International Education Financial Aid

Search for scholarships and grants to fund study abroad programs.

College Raptor Scholarship Search

College Raptor® is more than just a college planning tool. It’s a whole new way to make smarter decisions about college. We are the only site that offers side-by-side comparisons of estimated financial aid packages along with simplified campus match scores and admission chances.

Intelligent.com Higher Education Team – “Do I Qualify for Financial Aid?”

17 Data Science Scholarships in 2022

Resume.supply Free Music Resume Examples

Scholarship Help

NPR: Paying for College

NPR’s All Things Considered explored in a week-long series in May 2005, how American families of various financial means—and in different stages of life—are figuring out how to finance higher education.

Students and Financial Literacy

Covers topics like need vs. merit-based scholarships, the intricacies of student loans, planning for life after college and much more.

Are Scholarships and Grants Taxable?

This resource from Jackson Hewitt succinctly breaks down how scholarships, grants, and fellowships affect your taxes to help avoid any potential tax filing mishaps.

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A Passion For Music by Laura

Lauraof Stillwater's entry into Varsity Tutor's April 2013 scholarship contest

A Passion For Music by Laura - April 2013 Scholarship Essay

                For many students there is a particular subject that excites them. Some are enthusiastic over World War II or solving for “X”. Even if a student does not care for some of their classes, there is always one subject that can push them through a long day. Sometimes a teacher or certain learning environment sways a student towards a certain subject.                Throughout my education, I have taken a variety of different courses. My favorite subject has changed as well. From English to French to History, the one constant joy in my school day has always been music.                 On my home videos of me as a child, I am always singing and dancing. ‘Pop Goes the Weasel’ and ‘Silent Night’ being a couple of my favorites, I have always had a passion for music. In elementary school, we had a music class that rotated along with Physical Education. The most instrumental person in shaping my love for music was my elementary music teacher. Although many kids have different passions, I believe that devotion to any subject needs an enthusiastic teacher or adult to help shape the way.                 My elementary music teacher always had a smile on her face in class. She asked students about their day, and always knew something special about each individual student. She had us learn songs each year. Some would be retaught every year, such as Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”. She used books to enhance the songs. She also tried to expose us children to as many different instruments as she could. We played musical bingo and had to guess the type of instrument that was playing. Although I never won, it was always fun to try and tell the difference between an oboe and a clarinet. We worked on rhythm and used all different kinds of drums and chimes and made songs with them. Her creativity really sparked my passion for music because my elementary school music teacher brought me the most joy throughout my entire school day.                 I sung in choir in junior high in 7th and 8th grade. Those classes were okay. There was nothing very spectacular about them until 9th grade choir. I attended a junior high, which taught grades 7-9 rather than 6-8 in a typical middle school. 9th grade choir was by far the most competitive music environment that I had participated in. It was not the most enjoyable year because I had entered the classroom thinking it was going to be as fun and fair as it had been the past two years. During that year I had some hard times with some of the girls in the class. I believe that that was the first time when I really tuned in to the beauty of music, and tuned out to the craziness that was surrounding me. I then became far more competitive, and learned to defend myself. In a way, focusing more on the musical aspect allowed me to appreciate the beauty of music more than I ever had.                 Now that I am in high school, I am now more involved in music than ever before. I participate in four auditioned choral ensembles at my high school. Two of them are held during school hours and the other two are held after school and require practicing outside of school. I also take voice lessons from a very accomplished and intelligent teacher who shows me things about music and myself every week. However, these ensembles and other extracurriculars brought me to the decision to quit piano lessons, which I have taken since I was very young. This was very sad for me, but I will be forever grateful for the basis of my musical knowledge and the encouragement to pursue music in school. My music teachers are absolutely brilliant, and serve as an inspiration for me every day. I credit all of my teachers to my musical growth, and that is why music is my favorite subject. Every teacher that I have had has shown an obvious devotion to what they were teaching, and I believe that this passion for what those teachers have to teach me, along with my fellow peers is what connects me to the music.

2024 Scholarship Programs

Music family scholarship, requirements.

• Have at least one parent in good standing as a member of a Local AFM
• Be currently enrolled or accepted into an institute of higher education for the fall of 2024
• Submit a headshot
• Personal essay of approximately 500-750 words

The prompt for this year is: In what ways have you integrated AI into your student experience, and how do your foresee these implementations shaping your future career ?

Music's Future Scholarship

• Music Performance
• Music Therapy
• Music Education
• Obtain good academic standing, at least a 2.0 gpa
• Personal reference
• Professor reference
• Personal statement

As a music student, in what ways do you anticipate that your future career will be influenced by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI)?

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Tips For Applying For A Music School Scholarship

Music education can be expensive. If you’ve chosen to pursue a career in music you know that college isn’t cheap. And although student loans will most likely give you the ability to pay for higher learning, scholarships offer the best means of paying for your education. However, the competition can be very high for this type of “gift” funding. These tips can help you apply for a music school scholarship by outlining some keys to success that will give you a competitive advantage.

Apply for as Many Awards as Possible

Don’t just regulate your scholarship search to the school of your choice. There are tons of opportunities for students that aren’t limited to your musical ability. For example, you can find funds for your unique demographic, if you are the first person in your family to attend college, if you have family members who served in the Vietnam War, or if you have certain medical conditions. By looking at a variety of opportunities , you’ll increase your odds of being accepted by one or more of the awards.

Make Sure You Qualify

Nothing is worse than making the preparations for a specific award and then discovering half-way through the process that it only applies to certain individuals, of which, you’re not. Avoid wasting your time by reading all of the qualifications beforehand and verifying your eligibility. 

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

Rushing through the application process is the fastest way to ensure that you’ll make mistakes and get disqualified. Successful scholarship recipients start working on the process as soon as possible. You should also give yourself a target time to have everything completed about two weeks before the submission deadline. This includes letters of recommendation, your (uncut) performance video, and all of the written work. Giving yourself plenty of time to complete the application will help you avoid errors. 

Identify and Understand the Criteria

When considering music or other school scholarships, make certain that you understand what the individual, acceptance board, or organization is asking for, and tailor your application towards it. It won’t do any good to add irrelevant information. In fact, it could actually hurt. One of the most important (yet, understated) aspects of completing a scholarship application is how it demonstrates your ability to follow directions. If you omit a certain item or neglect to add some small part, your entire application could be rejected. 

Attention to Detail

This is another area where you can gain an advantage. It’s vital that all of your information is arranged as it should be, and that there are absolutely no misspellings. Proofread all of the written parts of the application and go ahead and have a few other people read it as well. You should be meticulous and ensure that you’ve completed the requirements correctly and accurately.

Remember, neatness counts. Make several copies of the application so that you can have a working draft, and then finalize the one you’re going to submit using type, not handwriting. 

The Performance Video

Many music scholarships will often require a performance video along with the written essays and other paperwork. This portion of your submission is very important. If you’re applying for several different scholarships, make a list of each one’s requirements before you arrange for studio or auditorium time. For example, application “A” calls for song “X and Y” along with your own choice, while application “B” asks for song “Z.” Practice every song you need to record and perform them all in one sitting.

Make sure that you arrange for enough time to allow you to take breaks between each recording, and re-do some, if necessary. Dress appropriately and ask your friends or family for help. Another opinion is always good to have on hand. 

Resume/Essay Tips

When completing the resume or personal essay portion of the application, it’s a good idea to make a rough draft of your accomplishments. List everything that you think might be relevant, and then talk to your family, friends, and teachers about their thoughts before compiling your work. You may have forgotten something, or those people might have different views on the same accomplishments that will help you formulate a comprehensive look at your abilities. 

Know Your Audience

When filling out everything in your music scholarships, remember to develop the application with your audience in mind. It won’t hurt to look at the sponsor information and use it to guide your submission. For example, if one of the board members loves a certain type of music, you may want to use that style for your “personal” performance choice. Obviously, your application should reflect your interests and talents, but it doesn’t hurt to do a little research.

Earning music school scholarships is an excellent way to fund your education. Find your opportunities at your school and here .

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Your Dream Music Scholarship

To celebrate National Scholarship Month and hitting 100,000 followers on our Instagram page, we're launching this $1,000 scholarship created by YOU!

We asked you a few weeks back what type of scholarships you wanted to see more of, and you voted for your favorite theme on Instagram. The winner of the voting was finalized, and you selected Music as the winner!  

What song has the most important message to you?

Winners and Finalists

February 2023.

Winning Application

Explore all kinds of scholarships for all kinds of students.

The application deadline is Jan 8, 2023. Winners will be announced on Feb 6, 2023.

Your privacy is a top priority on the Bold.org platform, and you can find our privacy policy in full here . You may opt out of communications from Bold.org at any time, and unless we’ve first notified you and gotten your consent, you’ll never receive communication from any third parties related to personal information you give us.

Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.

The winner will be publicly announced on Feb 6, 2023. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.

Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.

Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.

If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.

Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here .

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Scholarship Essay Contest Winners 2014

Scholarship essay contest.

"What Music Means to Me"

By alana finck.

For the past 9 years I've found a passion. Something that gives me an escape from the craziness that goes on in life. A way I can let go of what I'm feeling and be taken to another place just by placing my hands on white and black keys. Music has brought more than happiness to my life and my family’s life, it's brought meaning. Being a junior in high school it's difficult. You have teachers, counselors, family, friends, wondering what you want to do within the next few years and you're just trying to get through one day at a time. I'm so lucky and grateful to be one of the few in my high school who know what they want to do for the rest of their life. I want to inspire other children just like I was inspired at such a young age. I want to give them hope and a way of escaping their life in a healthy, positive way when it's much needed. I want to give them happiness and watch their face when they learn their first song or finish their first performance. Music has been such a relief in my life and I want others to feel that too. My piano and voice lessons give me something to look forward too. I love going in for an hour and a half every week and playing or singing. I feel free and I leave all my troubles and worries at the door and give my all to lessons. I'm there to learn and grow so that maybe in a few years or so I can be telling my students about my experience with music. Hopefully giving them the sense that when things get rough no matter what you always have something that will never leave you. And that's what music means to me.

We are also proud of our two runners up, Matt Giallonardo and Lily Ruswick! Thank you for moving us with your words...

Essay by matt giallonardo.

Music is perhaps the greatest gift that people have given to the world. It’s something so simple and complex at the same time. Looking back at myself, not even old enough to say the word “music” (I called it “munich”), yet I was overjoyed every time my toy radio came on. When I was just 5 years old my dad introduced me to a band called “Yes”. At the time I wouldn’t be able to tell you what the songs meant, but to me, they were the greatest sounds in the world. My parents took me to a Yes concert when I was only in 1 st grade, and I remember every detail. I was later introduced to Genesis and Coldplay. I remember going to see Genesis on a school night, and coming home at 11 o’clock, which seemed so late to me, but it was one of the most memorable nights of my life. Eventually I discovered the piano, one of the most important things in my life. I always tried to listen to songs and play them back on the piano, because listening to them wasn’t enough anymore. The first major song I figured out was “Clocks” by Coldplay. I played it all the time, nothing made me happier than sitting down and listening to myself play something great that I was able to re-create. Working on a song is like nothing else, and being able to play more and more of a song little by little is the best feeling in the world. Whenever I hear a great song the first question I ask myself is “Can I play this?” and so I sit down and begin. Expressing yourself through music is amazing. Great songs are great gifts to listen to, but playing them is something entirely different. I feel like nothing else matters, I relax, and my hands flow naturally. It’s the only time that your mind contains nothing but the sound of the piano, the sound that you’re creating. Whenever I discover a new song, which I so often do, I bring it to my piano teacher, and we set out to work on it until it has been mastered. I have many inspirations when it comes to music: my piano teacher of course, the wonderful musicians of Yes and Genesis, the brilliant Jarrod Radnich, but the biggest inspiration is music itself; the most intriguing force on the planet. I live for the days that I have lessons, I can’t wait to put the pieces of my music together. Learning math and science is great, but I get stuck with the knowledge, I have nowhere to go. Learning music is something so amazing it becomes difficult to describe. I’m not trapped, I’m free, music opens up an ocean of opportunities, and then I ask myself: “what can I learn next?” and so I begin. So you see music has been in my life for quite some time, and my life would be entirely different without it.

"Why I Want to Take Lessons and What Music Means To Me"

 by lilian ruswick.

When I was five years old I told my mom that I wanted to learn how to play the piano.  I think I was inspired by hearing my grandmother play.  Five years later I still love my piano lessons. Every time I go, I look forward to what I will learn that day and how my skills will grow. Now my teacher inspires me to play music. 

When I play the piano the sound of the notes flow like a waterfall cascading from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet.  I feel that my spirits rise freely, doing flips in the air. Then, blooming with confidence, my fingers magically play the keys without me even thinking.   But I fear, that if I do not continue lessons, that feeling will fade away like an eraser destructing the lead put down on paper.

My lessons have helped me to create new arrangements, achieve my goals and much more.  Music and my lessons inspire me, fill me with confidence, and magically make my life better.

Thank you to all of the students who submitted an essay for our 2014 Scholarship Essay Contest. We appreciate you taking the time to tell us what music, dance, art and theatre mean to you. Here are some of the beautiful words from your essays...

Leslie says... "Art is my favorite way to let go. I can release my emotions and stressors into the piece I am working on, and I can let my mind run free. There is no better place in the world for me than an art room full of people that will support me and go through the journey of life along side of me."

For Jessa, music makes her feel brave... "I love how music can change or intensify my emotions. If I feel sad, I can listen to a sad song and it can make me feel better, like I am not alone, or it just helps me express it, even if only to myself. When I feel nervous or angry, I can listen to a song that helps calm me down. Or even when I am in a really good mood, I can listen to happy songs and the feelings are even more enjoyable...Learning to play music helps me feel more brave about taking other kinds of risks. Without music, I do not know where I would be. Many of the things I do for fun are much more meaningful and enjoyable because of music."

Music makes Kiera happy... " Music is a big part of my life.  I always listen to it in the car, on my ipod and before I go to bed at night.  Music makes me happy, especially when I am sad. I love to sing and dance to all kinds of music.  I love music and what it brings to everyone. Music always makes me happy! If there were no music in the world I would be sad."

Bradley says... "Music is a very important part of my life, and it means quite a lot to me.  I wish to continue to make and enjoy music for as long as I can. Music has always provided me with a fun challenge because I had to overcome an even harder piece every time I finished one, and I got a good sense of satisfaction every time I completed a new piece, especially if it was very difficult.  I get a great feeling when I see how much I have improved at something as important as music."

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Quincy University music program announces Fall 2024 Virtuoso scholarship recipients

Margaret Wright (with papers on table) | Photo courtesy of Quincy University

QUINCY — The Quincy University Music Department recently awarded high school students Ian Malaney and Margaret Wright a four-year, full-tuition Virtuoso music scholarship.

Malaney is from Quincy High School, plays the trumpet and plans to major in music education. Wright is from Effingham High School in Effingham, is a vocalist and flute player and plans to major in music education.

Students were selected through a competitive audition process. Recipients were chosen at the discretion of the music faculty based on ensemble needs and the talent level of the candidates.

“The QU music faculty was so impressed with the level of musicianship and academic background in each of the students that auditioned,” Christine Damm, dean of the school of fine arts and communication, said in a press release. “We are very excited to offer the Virtuoso music scholarship to these outstanding students whose hard work, dedication and talent have truly paid off. These students will lend their talents to many of the QU music ensembles and become a part of the QU music family.”

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MRN WEATHER: MORE MAY SHOWERS

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Concert this week to benefit KAI Music Fund

WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - There’s a concert this to support the KAI Music Fund, a foundation that gives scholarships to young people pursuing a profession in music.

KAI Music Fund was a gift from Kathryn Ingerson’s family in honor of her retirement in 2022. It ’s a way for her to continue helping Jefferson County students pursue their music careers.

Alexandra Ives from Thousand Islands High School and Jack Marra from Watertown High School talked about KAI Fund Annual Gala concert on 7 News This Morning.

You can watch their interview in the video above.

The concert will be at the Clayton Opera House at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 23.

Current and past scholarship recipients will perform.

Tickets are $25 for adults, $5 for students K-12. They’re available at claytonoperahouse.com or at the door.

You can learn more at kaimusicfund.org .

Copyright 2024 WWNY. All rights reserved.

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The Impact of Professional Scholarship Essay Writing Services on Academic Success

I t’s hard to overestimate the usefulness of writing services for someone who needs a good essay for a scholarship application. At the same time, there are some concerns about the probable negative impact of writing services on academic success. Let’s consider both the potential negative and positive impact of a scholarship essay writing service to decide what’s stronger.

One of the most widespread concerns about the impact of essay writing services is the ethical side of use. Evidently, it is improper if people will provide someone’s work as their own. Even though such concern cannot be called groundless, it’s a matter of choice. Writing service is a tool, and it’s only the customer's choice how to use it. A person can buy a knife to cut fruits and vegetables or to take someone's life. This is not about the tool but about the ethics and decisions of the particular person who uses the tool.  

Another concern is related to the dependency. When people overuse writing services and outsource their own tasks to other experts, it rather decreases their own skills that ought to be developed with the assignments. It’s once again about human conscience and ethics. In this context, it can be useful to compare writing services with coffee. Sometimes, this drink can be very useful to help you wake up or not fall asleep for longer. However, with excessive use, it can be harmful to health and be addictive. And, if you are regularly using coffee to wake yourself up or to stay awake, you probably have to reconsider your time management.

One more concern is about the money. Writing services obviously don’t provide their help for free. Hence, the frequent use of it can cause a financial burden for people who use such services. Thinking this way, one can assume that any type of purchase can cause a financial burden. Most writing services insist on price transparency and the absence of any hidden additional increase in the price. One can see the price before placing an order and deciding whether this money will harm the budget.

As you can see, although the concerns about writing services aren’t baseless, they’re more about the weakness of human nature than about the negative impact of writing services themselves. People who can act unethically will find their way with or without writing services. And if a person has trouble managing money it will be evident from the different aspects of life, not only the use of writing services. You can be careful using writing services, but not more careful than with anything else in life. 

Except for the concerns considered above, writing services can also positively impact academic success when used properly. A person who needs to write a scholarship essay often faces the problem of procrastination and blank page syndrome. In such a case, help from a writing service can be incredibly useful to overcome the problems. A person can use the paper from the writing service as an example to follow or, in contrast, decide that everything must be written differently. Most importantly, one will start working on the scholarship essay instead of waiting for inspiration or being lost in anxiety. 

• The positive impact on mental health comes from the previous advantage. Applying for the scholarship is a stressful process. A person is concerned about all the papers that must be gathered and forms to be filled out in the proper way, about the future if the scholarship will be obtained, and about the development of the events if not. Writing services that provide personalized examples of scholarship essays can help reduce stress and anxiety and, hence, have at least a small positive impact on mental health. 
• Expert guidance can be crucial for a person who needs a scholarship. Yes, you can find free examples of scholarship essays on the web, but you might not be sure which is most suitable for your particular case. Writing services have professionals who often write scholarship essays and know their specifics. In addition, a personalized example is the most useful one to understand what and how you can write to succeed. 
• Time management is the last but not the least point in this list. Writing services have short deadlines of just a few hours, which allows a person to get a ready example on the same day it was ordered. This saves time that a person might spend reading and understanding the nuances of the scholarship essay. Instead of that, one can take this time for other no less essential papers or activities related to getting a scholarship.

Final words

As one can see, scholarship essay writing services can potentially negatively and positively impact academic success. Such services can be a powerful tool to save time, avoid stress, and get a well-written personalized example of a scholarship essay. However, as well as in the case of any tool, it must be used wisely and ethically. 

Breaking Barriers: How an EA/Berklee Partnership is Empowering Equity in Entertainment

Scholarships, connecting with industry leaders, and learning to craft original video game scores from the best in the business., may 9, 2024.

Scholarships, connecting with industry leaders, and learning to craft original video game scores from the best in the business

At EA we believe authentic representation opens the games and experiences we create to more people, helping us to fulfill our mission to inspire the world to play. We aim to create games, stories, worlds and characters that authentically represent the communities we serve so that our players can see themselves reflected in the games they love. 

Our work to build games that are incredibly inclusive continues–and we amplify this work through dedicated partnerships where we are able to mentor, attract and support underrepresented communities. 

This past April, in honor of this commitment, we celebrated the second annual EA Berklee Day, providing scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and industry connections to promising women and non-cisgender students at Berklee College of Music who will one day shape the sounds and music of the games we play, watch, create and connect in together.

Supporting the next gen of women music composers

At the EA Berklee Day celebrations, a panel of acclaimed composers, including Stephanie Economou ( Assassin's Creed: Dawn of Ragnarok ), Natalie Holt ( Loki ), Kathryn Bostic ( Women of the Movement ), Emilie Levienaise-Farrouch ( Living ), and Nainita Desai ( Tales of Kenzera: Zau ) shared their insights and expertise on working in the entertainment industry. The event concluded with a Q&A section with the students.

Desai , an Emmy award-winning and internationally-renowned composer, most recently worked on the EA Originals Tales of Kenzera: Zau , now available on PC, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. This single-player, story-rich Metroidvania game was shaped by Creative Director and Hollywood actor Abubakar Salim’s ( House of the Dragon, Napoleon ) own experience with grief, discovering how love gives us the courage to press on after devastating loss. The complexity of its themes, paired with its imaginative and rich world, were key in helping Desai craft the beautiful compositions players can enjoy throughout the experience.

The panel was moderated by Steve Schnur, worldwide executive and president at EA Music and creator and curator of EA Berklee Day. They were introduced by Sean McMahon, chair of the college’s Screen Scoring Department. At the panel’s conclusion, all composers offered advice to students. Bostic spoke to the importance of authenticity as an artist, saying, “Your voice is always changing—the constant is you.”

EA Berklee Day also offered an opportunity for EA to present two scholarships to students, Carol Gao and Rachel “Ray” McFarlane.

Both students received $15,000 of educational financial support and professional mentorship opportunities with a team of world-class composers at EA. Through a semester-long mentorship, they will learn how to take their compositional and orchestration skills and apply them to their future careers.

“Since I was a kid, all the composers in the classical canon are male, so the thought of representation never even crossed my mind because I never really saw women composers,” says Gao. “Having an event like this, where not only are we bringing in a panel of the most talented, most accomplished women composers to talk about their journey, but also having younger talent like Ray and me, and to be able to show the world that women–we have a place in this industry."

Gao, a native of Toronto, Canada, is double majoring in game and interactive media scoring and electronic production and design at Berklee. She is a pianist and member of the leadership board of Berklee's Video Game Music Club. After graduation, she will move to Los Angeles for an internship with Sparks and Shadows, Inc. While in LA, she hopes to build her career as a media composer and secure an in-house position at a video game company or production house, in addition to freelance work. Gao’s other passions include session playing and teaching piano, composition, and music theory.

McFarlane, also a native of Canada, is double majoring in game and interactive media scoring and film scoring at Berklee. She is currently a member of the Composer Diversity Collective and an intern at Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Project. She currently works with Orchestral Tools, Eastwest Sounds, and Spitfire Audio as a social media influencer to promote positive inclusion within the video game scoring community. After graduation, McFarlane hopes to continue elevating her skills by attending a master’s program at either the University of Southern California or New York University.

"This scholarship means so much to me. It has provided me with the resources and the mentorship to continue following my dream," says McFarlane.

Building a more inclusive and equitable future

This collaboration between EA and Berklee College of Music began in February 2023 and has since provided three scholarships to deserving students and conducted two celebration events connecting recipients with industry leaders.

With an unwavering commitment to inclusivity, EA recognizes the immense talent and potential that exists within every individual. By fostering a culture of empowerment and providing platforms for underrepresented voices to flourish, EA not only enriches its own creative landscape but also paves the way for a more equitable and inclusive industry as a whole.

Join us as we help usher in the next generation of world-class talent in our industry.

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