What Music Scholarships are Available for College?
Music majors may find music scholarships for college from many sources that support musical talents of all kinds. Are you a vocalist? Drawn to music performance or music education? Do you compose jazz or play classical music with a musical instrument? Perhaps you want to go for a music therapy degree program. Various scholarship providers also offer financial aid for music related studies to those who qualify.
Colleges with a school of music or music department and nonprofits in the performing arts space may offer college scholarships for music. Some nonprofits may also ask for a performance CD, audition or video recording which helps them narrow down finalists.
The NFAA youngARTS Program is one. It is specifically for high school students/high school seniors. Eligible applicants must be a U.S. citizen, or permanent resident/green card recipient. Also, you must be able to show they are legally able to receive taxable income in the United States. Criteria include age (15 to 18 years old, or those in grades 10 through 12) and talent for the arts. Selected winners receive cash prizes between $100 and $10,000.
Many genres of music also create awards for music students in need of financial assistance. So, use your interests to fuel your search for scholarships. If your favorite music is pop, rock, indie or R&B, you could apply for the John Lennon Scholarship.
In 1997, Yoko Ono and the BMI Foundation came together to offer annual awards that honor John’s legacy. It is open to college student songwriters and composers. BMI also offers the Peermusic Latin Scholarship competition which the genre is Latino music. The BMI Jazz Master Scholarship is one for graduate students who show promise in Jazz.
10 Scholarships for Music You Should Play for in 2024
Sing, compose, conduct, or play your way through college with the help of a scholarship. Check out these 10 college scholarships for music majors. Keep the application deadline in mind and apply soon!
Davidson Fellowship
Rainbow City Band Scholarship
University of Bridgeport Music Scholarship for International Students
Benny Goodman Foundation Scholarship
CBCF Spouses USA Performing and Visual Arts Scholarship
Jazz Education Network (JEN) Scholarship Program
MTNA Chamber Music Performance Competition
SBO Magazine Music Student Scholarship
Mr. Digital Piano Innovative Annual Writing Scholarship
Spotlight Awards Program
Could You Get a Music Scholarship for Playing an Instrument?
Yes, if you qualify, you could receive a scholarship award for playing a musical instrument. Instrumentalists may play the piano, guitar, flute, clarinet, violin, trumpet, drums etc.
One grantor is the National Federation of Music Clubs. NFMC offers scholarships for various types of musicians attending a U.S. college. The NFMC Elizabeth Paris French Horn Award is one. It is open to full time undergraduate students who submit a performance CD. NFMC also has other awards such as a music composition competition that’s open to the U.S. military.
Could You Get a Full Ride Scholarship for Music?
Yes, very talented students going into music programs may be eligible for a full ride award. A full ride is also a merit scholarship and you could expect to compete for these coveted awards.
Who wouldn’t want to win a scholarship that paid for tuition, fees and extras – like housing? Some full rides renew for up to four years too. You may have to maintain your grade point average (GPA) for this to happen.
Eligibility to receive a full ride scholarship varies. For some, you might need a solid scholarship application and to show financial need plus talent. For others such as Berklee Merit Based Scholarships you may have to audition or pass through an interview.
Both the Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee consider new first year musician applicants to their full time music degree or diploma programs. One to try for is the Presidential Scholarship. Selectees receive a sum that pays for tuition, on campus housing and the required laptop. To win, you must show the highest musical merit and financial need.
The Davidson Fellowship is another notable music scholarship. It is open to students who come up with a “significant piece of work” aimed at making the lives of others better. Awards are granted in the amount of $50,000, $25,000, and $10,000.
Is Going to Music School Worth It?
Going to music school could be worth the time and investment. You could also hone skills, learn current methods and network. Today’s music programs may produce well rounded:
Musicians
Music Teachers
Producers
Agents
Talent scouts
Vocal coaches
Conductors
There are also programs that focus on the music business. These may also prepare for other career paths that may require a college degree.
To put yourself at ease, weigh potential cost of attendance vs job outlook/salary. Tuition and fees at The Juilliard School were $52,500 in academic year 2022-23, according to the NCES. 55% of students receive grant or scholarship aid to offset these costs, also reports the National Center for Education Statistics.
As for job outlook, some careers in entertainment are growing faster than average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many of these paths use the Bachelor’s degree as entry level. Salaries vary, but tend to pay above the norm. Here are a few potential music careers you may pursue:
This award is available to Washington undergraduate and graduate students who are currently attending or planning to attend a postsecondary institution in Washington. The student must have close cultural and social ties to an American Indian community in Washington.
This scholarship is available for Hawaii undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in music with an emphasis in classical music. Students must have a grade point average of 2.7 or higher.
This scholarship is available for LGBT students and straight allies who are studying art or humanities at an accredited college or university in the U.S. Preference is given to students residing in Kitsap County or Bainbridge Island in Washington State.
This scholarship is available for lesbians studying theater or visual arts at the undergraduate level. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to social justice and reside in one of the following states: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana or Alaska.
This award is available for students who are U.S. citizens pursuing a career in human services, health sciences or visual arts. Eligible applicants must have been living in Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, or Alaska for at least one year. Preference is given to self-identified LGBT students, members of LGBT families, and straight allies who have been supportive of the LGBT community.
This award is available to high school seniors who reside in Rutland County, Vermont, or attend a Rutland County high school. Students must be seeking a degree in the arts, including (but not limited to) music, visual arts, dance, or theater; students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
This scholarship is available for Hawaii undergraduate and graduate students; preference is given to students who are majoring in fine arts or classics. Students must be graduates of one of the following East Hawai’i public schools: Hilo, Honoka’a, Kea’au, Laupahoehoe, Pahoa, or Waiakea.
This award is for U.S. college junior and senior students only. Students must attend an accredited school approved by the American Music Therapy Association.
This award is available for permanent residents of Maryland with an interest in a teaching career. Candidates must have an undergraduate degree in the liberal arts, sciences or mathematics and be pursuing a master’s degree in education.
This award is available for U.S. students under the age of 25 who graduated from any West Seattle high school or are studying music. Applicants must be residents of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon or Washington but may study elsewhere. Preference is given to students who are self-identified lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), members of LGBT families, or straight-allies who have been strongly supportive of the LGBT community.
