Scholarship resources for music students

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Scholarship resources for music students

The following scholarship and grant opportunities are available to college and high school students involved in music education and music performance. They are provided here for the convenience of MENC Collegiate and Tri-M members. For more information on these scholarships, please visit the Web sites that are referenced. Know of a scholarship or opportunity that should be added to this list? E-mail annew@menc.org.

Click on a category below to browse the scholarships:

Scholarships for HS Juniors

Music-Related Scholarships

NSBA/MENC Student Electronic Music Composition Talent Search
Sponsored by MENC and the National School Boards Association (NSBA), the Electronic Music Composition Competition recognizes outstanding compositions and is held to help influence school administrators to include or improve music technology in their schools' curriculum.

Winning students receive prizes from Sibelius, MagicScore Music Software, and MENC, and are honored at NSBA's T+L Conference.
Composers must be between grades K-12 and submit a composition of 5 minutes or less.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

Electronic Music Composers Competition
The Music Technology program of the Music Department, Northeastern University, Boston is pleased to announce an electronic-music composition contest for high school composers from the Northeast.

The first prize will be a cash award of $250 and a performance of the winning work on a public concert at Northeastern in Boston. The second place winner will receive an award of $100 and a public performance of their work.
Both winners will also receive a free copy of Cakewalk's Sonar 7 Producer Edition and Garritan's Personal Orchestra sample library. The music departments of both winners will also receive a copy of both programs. Additional awards will be given at the judges' discretion.
Applicants must be full-time students in an accredited high school, grades 9–12, in one of the following states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, or Vermont.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

National Music Scholarship Fair
This annual event gives students the chance to audition for several college/university music programs from across the country. You can audition for as many of the participating schools as you like. You'll also learn more about each of the represented programs. This year's event was March 21, 2009, at Lithonia High School in DeKalb County, GA. Visit www.1perfectpitch.org to register online and for news about next year's event.

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.

Selected students win a $1,000 scholarship and music products for their school music program.
Public and private school students in grades 4–12 are eligible.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

The Williams Chorale Bacardi Fallon Scholarship Competition
The Williams Chorale offers scholarship funds and a chance to perform with this well-respected performing arts ensemble to high school juniors and seniors who are pursuing vocal or instrumental studies. Visit www.thewilliamschorale.org to apply.

The Williams Chorale and the Bacardi Fallon Scholarship Foundation will award over $10,000, including $8,500 in prize money to the top four talented high school students. All applicants chosen to compete at the April competition who do not finish in the top four will receive $150. Each prize-winning student will also be a featured soloist with the Williams Chorale in its Annual Spring concert.
High school juniors and seniors pursuing vocal or instrumental studies in all New England States, New Jersey, and New York are eligible to apply.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

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.
Deadline: March 3, 2010

The VSA Arts International Young Soloists Program
This program is designed to identify and encourage talented musicians who have a disability. The VSA Arts International Young Soloists Award is given annually to four outstanding musicians or ensembles, two from the U.S. and two from the international arena.

Any individual musician (instrumental or vocal) from the U.S. who has a disability and is under 25 years of age is encouraged to apply. Any individual musician who is under 30 and is from outside the U.S. is encouraged to apply.
The award provides an opportunity for these emerging musicians to each earn a $5,000 award and a performance in Washington, D.C.
Deadline: November 2009 (application materials will be online in August)

Tri-M Music Honor Society Chapter of the Year Summer Music Scholarships
These scholarships are available to members of the Tri-M® Music Honor Society, a program of MENC. 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.
Winners have the chance to win up to $1,000 in scholarship funds for summer music study.
Deadline: April 30

Community Service/Extracurricular Activities Oriented-Scholarships

Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship
The Tribute Award Scholarship Program is open to high school juniors that have a minimum 2.75 GPA and plan on attending an accredited certification, licensing or training program or institution of higher education. In addition, the candidate must demonstrate accomplishment in all of the four following areas: special talents, leadership, community service, and obstacles overcome.

Up to 10 scholarships of $30,000 are available.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

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.

This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates after August 10.

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 five times a year. Music directors, teachers, principals, and other youth leaders can submit nominations.

Students 25 and under who are participating in student group travel are eligible.
Awards up to $1,000 are available.
Deadlines: December 15, February 15, April 15, August 15, and October 15

Scholarships for HS Seniors

Music-Related Scholarships

Winning students receive prizes from Sibelius, MagicScore Music Software, and MENC, and are honored at NSBA's T+L Conference.
Composers must be between grades K-12 and submit a composition of 5 minutes or less.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

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.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

The first prize will be a cash award of $250 and a performance of the winning work on a public concert at Northeastern in Boston. The second place winner will receive an award of $100 and a public performance of their work.
Both winners will also receive a free copy of Cakewalk's Sonar 7 Producer Edition and Garritan's Personal Orchestra sample library. The music departments of both winners will also receive a copy of both programs. Additional awards will be given at the judges' discretion.
Applicants must be full-time students in an accredited high school, grades 9–12, in one of the following states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, or Vermont.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

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.

Selected students win a $1,000 scholarship and music products for their school music program.
Public and private school students in grades 4–12 are eligible.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

The Williams Chorale and the Bacardi Fallon Scholarship Foundation will award over $10,000, including $8,500 in prize money to the top four talented high school students. All applicants chosen to compete at the April competition who do not finish in the top four will receive $150. Each prize-winning student will also be a featured soloist with the Williams Chorale in its Annual Spring concert.
High school juniors and seniors pursuing vocal or instrumental studies in all New England States, New Jersey, and New York are eligible to apply.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

Carson-Newman College Full-Tuition Scholarship Competition
Carson-Newman College offers a variety of scholarships to seniors who are interested in becoming music majors. Visit their scholarships page to read about the available scholarships.

Daniel Piano Competition for Young Artists
This competition recognizes and rewards outstanding high school piano students. The competition is held on the Furman University campus in March and will feature presentations and master classes.

Winners receive prizes as follows: $5,000 for first place; $2,500 for second place; and $1,000 for third place.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

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. Check with your school's guidance counselors for more information.

Stamford Symphony Orchestra Instrumental Scholarship
Stamford Symphony Orchestra offers an instrumental scholarship to qualified high school seniors who either live in or attend high school in the state of Connecticut and will be pursuing a music performance major in college.

Winners are awarded up to $10,000 for college study.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

Any individual musician (instrumental or vocal) from the U.S. who has a disability and is under 25 years of age is encouraged to apply. Any individual musician who is under 30 and is from outside the U.S. is encouraged to apply.
The award provides an opportunity for these emerging musicians to each earn a $5,000 award and a performance in Washington, D.C.
Deadline: November 2009 (application materials will be online in August)

Caitlin Merie Hurrey Memorial Scholarship

The Caitlin Merie Hurrey Scholarship has been established as a part of the Fund for the Advancement of Music Education (FAME). Three high school seniors are selected annually.

One senior must have a connection to Huntingwood Elementary School. Another must be the son/daughter of an MENC member. A third must be the son/daughter of a member of one of the U.S. Military musical ensembles on active duty. All must plan on attending an accredited college or university in the fall semester immediately following high school graduation.
Each recipient will receive a scholarship in the amount of $500.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA) Recognition and Talent Search
NFAA accepts registrations from young artists in the categories of dance, cinematic arts, jazz, music, photography, theater, visual arts, voice, and writing for its talent search program. High school seniors may apply to win cash awards and scholarships and the chance to participate in NFAA Arts Week and be named a U. S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.

Individual awards of up to $10,000 are available.
Deadline: October 1, 2009

CBC Spouses Performing Arts and Visual 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.

This year's deadlines have passed. Check the Web site for updates.

Open only to members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Winners have the chance to win up to $1,000 in scholarship funds for summer music study.
Deadline: April 30

Community Service/Extracurricular Activities Oriented Scholarships

Best Buy Scholarship
The Best Buy Scholarships are available to high school seniors who plan to enroll in an accredited post-secondary institution in the United States. Students must demonstrate commitment to and involvement in volunteer community service. Selection of recipients will be based on solid academic performance and exemplary community service with consideration also given to participation and leadership in school activities and work experience.

This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

Coca-Cola Scholars Program
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards a total of $3 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.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates after August 10.

Students 25 and under who are participating in student group travel are eligible.
Awards up to $1,000 are available.
Deadlines: December 15, February 15, April 15, August 15, and October 15

Scholarships for Marching Musicians

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

Drum Corps International: provides a Friends of DCI Scholarship of $2,000 to selected students
The John Philip Sousa Foundation: the Dr. Robert Hawkins Memorial Scholarship provides two $1,000 scholarships for students planning to complete a degree in instrumental music education
Marching Show Concepts: offers two $1,000 scholarships to students interested in music education
Music for All: provides music scholarships including the Revelli Fund for students planning to complete a music degree
NAMM: offers funds to encourage students to pursue careers in the music products industry
Winter Guard International: provides funds to select annual WGI World Championships participants
Women Band Directors International: offers scholarships from $300 to $500 to women who plan to complete a degree in instrumental music

This list is courtesy of Halftime magazine. For more information, see the article "Get Paid to March" in the March/April 2008 issue.

Scholarships for College Students

Music-Related Scholarships

CFJS Scholarships
The Central Florida Jazz Society (CFJS) Scholarships are for students studying jazz music. There are no age limits, just that the applicant be in his or her senior year of high school or first three years of college.

An audition in Orlando, FL, is a requirement
4 Awards of up to $1,500 may be used toward school expenses, private lessons, or an instrument.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

Caitlin Merie Hurrey Memorial Scholarship
The Caitlin Merie Hurrey Scholarship has been established as a part of the Fund for the Advancement of Music Education (FAME). One Collegiate MENC member is selected annually. This element of the Fund was created to assist graduating MENC Collegiate members with professional development.

To be eligible, the CMENC candidate must be nominated by his or her chapter advisor for the CMENC Professional Achievement Recognition. In addition, the candidate must be a senior in college during the year the scholarship is awarded.
The recipient will receive a scholarship in the amount of $500.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

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.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

Bel Canto Vocal Scholarship Foundation
This organization hosts an annual vocal competition for young opera singers ages 21–36. Over $15,000 in scholarships is available.

Application deadlines are in October; auditions are held in Illinois, Michigan, Rhode Island, and Texas.

The Opera Foundation, Inc. Scholarship
This scholarship offers American singers the chance to perform and study at Deutsche Oper Berlin and Teatro Regio Torino, two of Europe's most prestigious opera companies.

The scholarship is open to American citizens and permanent residents between 18 and 30 who are beginning their professional careers.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

Any individual musician (instrumental or vocal) from the U.S. who has a disability and is under 25 years of age is encouraged to apply. Any individual musician who is under 30 and is from outside the U.S. is encouraged to apply.
The award provides an opportunity for these emerging musicians to each earn a $5,000 award and a performance in Washington, D.C.
Deadline: November 2009 (application materials will be online in August)

Strings Magazine Scholarship Award
The Strings Magazine Scholarship Award is available to students currently enrolled in an undergraduate program who are majoring in Music Education or Music Performance of the bowed string instruments. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, academic merit, and community service.

Awards of up to $3,000 are available.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

This year's deadlines have passed. Check the Web site for updates.

Community Service/Extracurricular Activities Oriented Scholarships

Students 25 and under who are participating in student group travel are eligible.
Awards up to $1,000 are available.
Deadlines: December 15, February 15, April 15, August 15, and October 15

Other Scholarships

USA Funds Access To Education Scholarships
USA Funds awards scholarships to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who come from households with annual incomes of $35,000 or less. Scholarships are renewable annually, provided the candidate maintains a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Maximum award per individual, including renewals, is $6,000.
This year's deadline has passed. Check the Web site for updates.

Helpful Links

State Music Educators Association Scholarships

Many state music educators associations offer scholarships to high school or college music students. Visit MENC's State Affiliates page and click on your state MEA Web site to check for opportunities.

Scholarship Search Engines & Databases

Music Scholarships
A list of music scholarships organized by focus area/instrument.

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

FastWEB
Develops a "customized profile" to match applicants with potential scholarships.
NOTE: This web site 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. MENC cannot be held responsible for any marketing contact you may receive through the use of this Web site.

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

College Compass
Click on "Financial Aid" and "Scholarships" for advice and numerous resources nationally and state specific.

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!

McNally Smith College of Music Scholarships
McNally Smith College offers a number of scholarships to undergraduates and returning students in the categories of music performance, music production, music business and music composition.

Sallie Mae College Answer
Provides a free scholarship search to provide customized scholarship leads.

Yahoo Education
Yahoo's Financial Aid Search Engine.

U. S. Department of Education's Federal Student Financial Aid
Information on steps in the financial aid process; includes a "scholarship match wizard" to help you find scholarships that fit your interests.

FinAid!
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.

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

ASCAP
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.

Scholarship Help

Scholarshiphelp.org
A web site designed to educate students about scholarship access and the necessary requirements for achieving maximum financial aid. This site provides information free of charge to help students avoid scholarship scam artists.

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.

Collegiate Funding
Features a guide to the different aspects of the financial aid process and access to financial aid professionals.

College Guide
Provides advice on a variety of topics, from how to afford college to how to consolidate your student loans