Music Scholarships

Azusa Pacific University Department of Music – Scholarships

Strong worship arts and commercial music programs alongside classical offerings

Oral Roberts University – Music Department Scholarships

Faith-based university with strong worship music programs; full-ride scholarships available

Heidelberg University – Music Scholarships

Small liberal arts school with disproportionately generous music scholarships

Frost School of Music (Univ. of Miami) – Merit Scholarships

One of the most comprehensive music schools in the South; outstanding jazz and music business programs

Mannes School of Music (The New School) – Merit Awards

Unique combination of traditional conservatory training with The New School's emphasis on innovation

Shenandoah Conservatory – Scholarships

Strong musical theatre conservatory program; affordable private school option

DePaul University School of Music – Merit Scholarships

Chicago location provides access to Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera

Ball State University School of Music – Merit Scholarships

Top-ranked music education program in Indiana

Westminster Choir College (Rider University) – Scholarships

Most specialized choral/vocal college in the U.S.; performs annually with NY Philharmonic

Loyola University New Orleans – College of Music Scholarships

New Orleans setting provides unmatched cultural immersion in jazz and folk traditions

Samford University School of the Arts – Music Scholarships

Strong choral and sacred music programs; Baptist university

Kenyon College – Music Merit Scholarship

Liberal arts college with generous music merit scholarships; unusual large amount for non-conservatory

Duquesne University Mary Pappert School of Music – Scholarships

Strong sacred music and music education programs; Catholic university

Michigan State University College of Music – Merit Scholarships

Strong state school with good merit aid; active alumni network

Florida State University College of Music – Out-of-State Waivers

Highly valuable for out-of-state students; top auditioners may receive full waiver

Arizona State University School of Music – Scholarships

Large public university with many named endowed scholarships; strong music technology programs

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Music – Merit Awards

Illinois Commitment covers full tuition for in-state students with family income under $67,100

University of Maryland School of Music – CAPA Scholarships

CAPA Scholarship covers full in-state tuition; very competitive

University of Texas at Austin Butler School – Merit Scholarships

Excellent value at major public research university; Austin music scene provides unique opportunities

Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music – Merit Scholarships

Blair students can access both university-wide and Blair-specific awards

SMU Meadows School of the Arts – Artistic Scholarships

Strong artistic scholarships from generous private university endowment; Dallas location

Hartt School of Music (Univ. of Hartford) – Merit Scholarships

Strong conservatory programs; musical theatre track well regarded

New England Conservatory (NEC) – Keston MAX Grant

Special grant program designed to make NEC more accessible

Berklee Online – Transfer Scholarship

For working professionals and returning students pursuing Berklee's online degree programs

Belmont University School of Music – Scholarships

Unique Nashville location; top school for music business, songwriting, and music production

Columbus State University Schwob School of Music – Scholarships

Highly regarded for classical performance programs

East Carolina University School of Music – Scholarships

Strong music therapy program; good value for NC residents

University of South Carolina School of Music – Merit Scholarships

Strong piano pedagogy and opera programs

Susquehanna University School of Music – Merit Scholarships

Small, supportive community; strong study abroad opportunities

Ithaca College School of Music – Merit Scholarships

Strong music education and sound recording technology programs; Finger Lakes campus

West Chester University Wells School of Music – Scholarships

Excellent value for PA residents; close to Philadelphia professional music market

Temple University Boyer College of Music – Merit Scholarships

Strong urban conservatory environment; excellent jazz, opera, and music therapy programs

Sigma Alpha Iota – Music Business/Technology Award

Specifically targets the music business/technology track

American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS) Scholarships

Scholarships to attend AIMS summer program in Austria; strong German Lieder focus

Pi Kappa Lambda National Honor Society – Music Scholarship

Honor society for music students; membership invitation-based (top 20%)

ACDA – Student Summer Fellowship

Supports graduate students in choral conducting in attending summer intensive programs

Meet the Composer (New Music USA) Grants

Multiple grant programs for composers

Jazz Foundation of America Emergency Musician Fund

Emergency fund for working jazz/blues musicians; not a traditional educational scholarship

Count Basie Center Arts Impact Scholarships

Regional scholarship for New Jersey students

Benji Grinberg Scholarship

Small but accessible scholarship for music-passionate students

Hawaii Community Foundation Music Scholarship (multiple)

Multiple individual named scholarships for Hawaii music students

Flying Musicians Association (FMA) Solo Program

Unique program connecting student musicians with pilot/musicians worldwide

Arkansas Chamber Singers Vocal/Choral Music Scholarship

Regional scholarship for Arkansas students pursuing vocal music

Utah Music Foundation Scholarships

Supports students from underserved rural Utah communities

Gordon Hay Memorial Scholarship (Blumenthal Arts)

One of the larger individual arts scholarships in the Southeast

Classic Center Cultural Foundation Scholarships

Regional scholarship fund; significant total award pool

Oregon Music Hall of Fame (OMHOF) Scholarships

Recipients recognized publicly at the Oregon Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony

ACDA – Student Chapter Awards

Annual recognition for outstanding student ACDA chapters

American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) – Julius Herford Dissertation Prize

Prestigious prize recognizing outstanding doctoral research in choral music

National Endowment for the Arts – Jazz Masters Fellowship

HONORIFIC AWARD – not a student scholarship; highest honor for jazz musicians in the U.S.

Chamber Music America (CMA) Residency Partnerships

Grant program for professional chamber ensembles

Aaron Copland Fund for Music – Recording Program

Grant program for recording and performing American music

American Guild of Organists (AGO) – Pogorzelski-Yankee Award

One of AGO Foundation's signature competitions for young organists

BMI Foundation – Film/TV Music Scholarship

One of very few scholarships specifically targeting film and TV music composers

Society of Composers International Student Commission Award

Winning work receives world premiere at SCI national conference

Guitar Foundation of America (GFA) International Competition

Premier classical guitar competition in North America

NATS Student Auditions

Annual competitions at chapter → regional → national levels

New Music USA – Project Grants

Grant programs for advanced students and emerging professional composers

National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Artist Awards

Premier vocal competition for NATS members; biennial national competition

MTNA Composition Competition

Tiered system: state → division → national; multiple age categories

American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Solo Competition

Multi-tier competition from state to national level; largest string-specific competition in the U.S.

American Viola Society (AVS) – Primrose International Viola Competition

Named for renowned violist William Primrose; one of the most prestigious viola competitions

International Trombone Association (ITA) – Remington Competition

Named for trombonist Emory Remington; multiple divisions at annual ITA Symposium

National Flute Association (NFA) Young Artist Competition

Most prestigious flute competition in the U.S.

Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia Competition & Scholarships

Regional competition for flutists at multiple levels

American Society of Composers, Arrangers, and Musicians (ASCAM) Scholarships

Smaller organization supporting students in composition and arranging disciplines

ASCAP Foundation – Rudolf Nissim Prize

Winning work receives a professional premiere performance

ASCAP Foundation – Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award

Supported by musician and philanthropist Herb Alpert

ASCAP Foundation – Sammy Cahn Award

Named for legendary lyricist Sammy Cahn

ASCAP Foundation – Morton Gould Young Composer Award

One of the most prestigious awards for young American composers

Choristers Guild Ruth K. Jacobs Memorial Scholarship

Honors the legacy of Ruth K. Jacobs, founder of the Choristers Guild

American Guild of Organists – National Young Artists Competition

National competition administered through AGO chapters

Van Cliburn Amateur Piano Competition

Prestigious competition open to talented amateurs who have chosen non-music careers

Queen Elisabeth Competition (Belgium)

Held annually in Brussels, rotating disciplines; founded by Queen Elisabeth of Belgium in 1937

American Harp Society National Competition Scholarships

AHS holds a national competition with multiple age/skill divisions

American Harp Foundation Scholarships

Multiple scholarship funds for harpists

Van Cliburn International Piano Competition

Held every 4 years; one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world

Liederkranz Foundation Scholarship Competition

One of the most respected annual vocal competitions in New York

Marilyn Horne Foundation at Carnegie Hall Vocal Competition

Founded by mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne; dedicated to preservation of art song

George London Foundation Awards

Prestigious annual vocal competition; winners include Renée Fleming and Thomas Hampson

Rubinstein International Piano Master Competition

Named for Arthur Rubinstein; held in Israel every 3 years since 1974

Leeds International Piano Competition (UK)

One of the world's premier piano competitions; held in Leeds every two years since 1963

Honens International Piano Competition

Uniquely emphasizes holistic musician development over 3 years; held in Calgary, Canada

Indianapolis International Violin Competition

Held every 4 years in Indianapolis; one of the top U.S.-based international violin competitions

Johansen International Competition for Young String Players

Prestigious youth strings competition; prizes include summer festival scholarships

Naumburg Chamber Music Competition

Alternates with solo competitions; winner performs Carnegie Hall debut recital

Naumburg International Violin Competition

World's oldest classical music competition (since 1926); prizes include Carnegie Hall debut

Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists

Held every 2 years in different cities; past winners include Julia Fischer, Tasmin Little

International Chopin Piano Competition

Oldest and one of most prestigious piano competitions; held every 5 years since 1927

International Tchaikovsky Competition

One of the world's most famous competitions; held every 4 years in Moscow and St. Petersburg

Cliburn Junior Piano Competition

Youth counterpart to the main Cliburn; held in alternate years

Concert Artists Guild Competition

Winners receive full career management by CAG; prestigious since 1951

Posse Arts Program Scholarship

Full-tuition scholarship to Posse partner colleges; must be nominated; community and arts leadership emphasized

Women Band Directors International (WBDI) Scholarships

Multiple awards available; specifically for women pursuing band director careers

Boettcher Foundation Scholarship (Colorado)

Not music-specific but highly valuable for Colorado music students

Strauss Foundation Award

Requires a social impact/service project; not music-specific but open to music students at California colleges

Blackburn Biennial Composition Competition

Biennial award (offered every two years in odd-numbered years); for female student composers

American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) Scholarships

Multiple awards; check AMTA website for full list

Jazz Society of Fairfield County – Micky Golomb Memorial Scholarship

Local/regional scholarship; significant award for regional jazz students

NAfME Tri-M Music Honor Society Awards

For high school musicians who are active Tri-M chapter members

Horatio Alger Association Scholarships

Not music-specific; for students who have overcome adversity

ASCAP Foundation Fran Morgenstern Davis Scholarship

School-specific award for MSM jazz and musical theatre composition students

Against the Grain Arts Scholarships

Promotes representation of AAPI students in the arts

Recording Academy Your Future Is Now Scholarship

Includes professional development experience at Grammy events; equipment grants also available to HBCUs

GRAMMY Museum Grant Program

Grant program, not a traditional scholarship; useful for graduate students and researchers

Unsigned Only Music Competition

For independent artists not signed to major record labels

International Songwriting Competition (ISC)

One of the largest songwriting competitions in the world

Concordia College Christansen Award

One of the largest music scholarships at a liberal arts college; replaces all other merit scholarships

Wheaton College Conservatory – Merit Scholarships

Christian liberal arts college with respected conservatory

Lawrence University Conservatory – Scholarships

Rare combination of liberal arts college + conservatory; strong merit aid

Texas Christian University (TCU) – AddRan and Music Scholarships

Private university with generous scholarship endowment

Florida State University College of Music – Scholarships

Strong state music school with growing national reputation

Boston University College of Fine Arts – Scholarships

Private university with strong combined academic and music merit aid

Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) – Merit Scholarships

Public university conservatory with strong endowment; excellent merit aid for top out-of-state applicants

San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) – Merit Scholarships

Growing conservatory in San Francisco; strong string and piano departments

Manhattan School of Music – Merit and Need-Based Aid

NYC conservatory; strong faculty; merit and need combined; noted for opera and jazz programs

USC – ASCAP Foundation Betty Rose Scholarship

Highly specific to USC film scoring students

USC Thornton School of Music – Scholarships

Strong merit and need aid; 72% of students receive grants that do not need repayment

University of Michigan SMTD – Merit Scholarships

Excellent state school with conservatory-level faculty; strong merit scholarships

Northwestern University Bienen School of Music – Scholarships

Strong private university financial aid; merit and need-based combined

Rice University – Shepherd School of Music Scholarships

Private university with strong financial aid; need-blind for domestic students; meets 100% of demonstrated need

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music – Merit Scholarships

Very strong state school with conservatory-level teaching; strong merit aid

Peabody Conservatory (JHU) – Merit Scholarships

As part of Johns Hopkins, benefits from strong institutional financial aid

Pinetop Perkins Foundation Blues Scholarship

Supports the next generation of blues and roots musicians; includes workshops and mentorship

Oberlin Conservatory – Dean's Scholarship and Merit Aid

Strong merit and need-based aid; historically meets 100% of demonstrated need

Eastman School of Music – Merit Scholarships

Substantial merit aid; some near-full-tuition awards for top applicants

New England Conservatory (NEC) – Merit Scholarships

Strong financial aid program; limited full-tuition awards; need-based grants layered on top of merit awards

Berklee College of Music – Performance Merit Scholarship

Majority of Berklee scholarship recipients receive partial (not full) tuition

Berklee College of Music – Presidential Scholarship

Most prestigious Berklee scholarship; covers nearly all costs

Juilliard School – Financial Aid and Scholarships

90% of students receive financial aid; need-blind admissions policy

Colburn Conservatory – Full Tuition Scholarship

Small (~130 conservatory students); every accepted student receives full tuition scholarship plus housing stipend

Curtis Institute of Music – Full Tuition Scholarship

Only ~150 students total enrolled; every admitted student receives full tuition

Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation Scholarship

International music fraternity (open to all genders); multiple scholarships for members pursuing music careers

Access/VSA International Young Soloists Competition

Up to 4 winners per year; winners perform at Kennedy Center; open to domestic and international applicants

Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) Scholarships

Multiple awards for women in music who are SAI members

National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM) Scholarships

Annual convention-based audition; one of the oldest organizations supporting African American classical musicians (founded 1919)

International Alliance for Women in Music (IAWM) Awards

Supports women producing innovative or socially meaningful work in music composition and scholarship

American String Teachers Association (ASTA) Scholarship

Multiple awards for string players and string educators

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

For U.S. students wishing to study, conduct research, or teach music internationally; highly competitive

Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans

Highly prestigious fellowship; not music-specific but open to music graduate students

KRUTZ Strings Scholarship

5 scholarships of $1,000 each; requires brief teacher recommendation

International Double Reed Society – Young Artist Competition

Annual competition alternating between oboe and bassoon each year

Great Value Colleges Music Scholarship

Offered twice yearly; promotes diversity in music education

Marine Band Concerto Competition for High School Musicians

Winner performs as guest soloist with the Marine Chamber Orchestra in Washington, D.C.

Percussive Arts Society Scholarships

Multiple scholarships available to PAS members

Vandoren Emerging Artist Competition (VEA)

Corporate-sponsored competition from leading woodwind reed/mouthpiece maker

JEN – Jazz Education Network Scholarships

Multiple scholarships offered; must be JEN member to apply

Associated Male Choruses of America Scholarship

Must be sponsored by a local AMCA member chorus; for male undergraduate music students

Sweet Adelines International Scholarship

Specifically for women involved in barbershop/Sweet Adelines chorus community

Mark Zinger Memorial Foundation Violin Scholarship

Open to international students as long as attending a U.S. institution

Mario Lanza Institute Scholarship

Honoring the legacy of tenor Mario Lanza; Philadelphia-based

Loren L. Zachary Society National Vocal Competition

Prestigious annual vocal competition with NY and LA divisions

Cooper International Competition (Oberlin)

Prestigious international competition that alternates between piano and violin

The Music Center Spotlight Program

Free to apply; $100K total in scholarships; includes masterclasses and artistic development training

VSA International Young Soloists Award (Kennedy Center)

Up to 4 winners selected annually; professional development activities included

NAfME / J.W. Pepper Music Education Scholarship

52 scholarships awarded — one per state/DC/territories; top-rated recipient gets $10,000 instead

NAfME Scholarships (multiple)

Multiple distinct awards; includes Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and others

Music Business Association Scholarship

Only available at member academic institutions

House of Blues Music Forward Foundation Scholarships

Multiple $10,000 scholarships awarded annually; focuses on contemporary music industry career paths

Chopin Foundation of the U.S. Scholarship

Designed to support promising young pianists before they reach college age

MTNA Young Artist Performance Competitions

Tiered competition system: state → division → national; national finals at MTNA conference

Young Concert Artists International Auditions

Winners receive full management by YCA, NYC and Washington D.C. debuts, and ongoing career support

Gilmore Artist Award (senior)

Awarded every 4 years; $300,000 is one of the world's largest prizes in classical music

Gilmore Young Artist Award

Awarded every 2 years; extremely prestigious; anonymous selection committee

Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Scholarship Competition

Annual national competition since 1977; held in Clarinda, Iowa; multiple categories

Sphinx Competition

One of the premier competitions for Black and Latino classical musicians; includes college scholarships, summer program funding

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

One of the largest merit scholarships in the U.S.; open only to exceptionally gifted young people

YoungArts

U.S. Presidential Scholars in the Arts selected from finalists; ~11,000 applicants across disciplines; very prestigious

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

Covers private lessons, instrument costs, summer programs, audition travel; 20 recipients/year

NFMC – Martha Marcks Mack Junior Vocal Award

NFMC – Wendell Irish Viola Award

NFMC – Lynn Freeman Olson Pedagogy Awards

Biennial award offered in odd-numbered years only

NFMC – Myrtle Mehan/Hazel Morgan Music Education Scholarship

For sophomore music education majors

NFMC – Gretchen E. Van Roy Music Education Scholarship

Paid to school at beginning of recipient's senior year

NFMC Awards (National Federation of Music Clubs)

Over 100 individual awards in many categories; some for high school, some undergraduate, some graduate

Presser Foundation Graduate Music Award

Similar nomination process to undergraduate award; for advanced graduate musicians

Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award

School nominates one student per year; nominees must be in penultimate year of undergraduate study; very prestigious

ASCAP Foundation Leiber & Stoller Scholarship

Named for iconic songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller; competitive selection process

ASCAP Foundation Scholarships (multiple)

Multiple distinct awards including: Leiber & Stoller ($10,000 over 4 years), Morton Gould Young Composer, Sammy Cahn Award, ASCAP Plus Award, and more.

BMI Dolly Parton Songwriters Award

Named for Dolly Parton; supports creation costs as well as education

BMI Foundation Peermusic Latin Award

For composers and songwriters of Latin genres; all words and music must be original

John Lennon Scholarship (BMI Foundation)

Named in honor of John Lennon; judged by music publishers, songwriters, and executives

BMI Student Composer Awards

One of the oldest and most prestigious composition competitions in the US; 7–9 winners per year