Are you a music student needing to find college scholarships for music school? You’re not alone if you find searching for scholarships to be stressful and challenging.

There are scholarship dollars out there to be claimed. What’s also true is that you have to be an active participant in order to find them. You’re probably going to have to do a fair amount of research, write some essays, perhaps audition or enter competitions. Scholarships rarely come to you – you’ll have to go after them yourself. The sleuth work may turn up hidden gems that will surprise you.

Some of the more obvious places to look for scholarships include:

• FAFSA – government-based financial aid (grants, loans, work-study) and other resources for U.S. citizens
• State-related scholarships and grants
• Scholarships from the schools that accept you – especially if they love your audition
• Music-related scholarships from foundations and organizations
• Financial aid for international students and undocumented students

But you’re more than a music student, right? So why not look at your other interests and talents and see if you can find relevant scholarships there, too. For instance:

• Are you vegetarian? Do you help promote vegetarianism in your school or community?

• Are you clever with Duck Tape?

• Love to play golf and work as a golf caddy?

• Are you tall?

• Love to make your own greeting cards?

• Belong to a credit union, religious organization, a club or local organization? Ask them if they offer scholarships.

The bottom line:
Start your research early. Don’t wait ’til senior year! Pay attention to deadlines. Be wary of scams, especially where you’re asked to pay money to be considered for a scholarship. And – think inside AND outside the box.

We’ve been bombarded by requests for information about music scholarships from prospective music majors, parents, and current music undergrads.

We understand how important and necessary financial assistance is to so many music students. That’s why we continue to work to find scholarship opportunities and other vital information that will support your search. But it will take work on your part, too.

Here’s what we suggest:

1. Visit MajoringInMusic.com’s Scholarships page. It’s on the top navigation bar of every page of the website.

• Read each entry and click on anything that could be even remotely relevant. Don’t rule out anything until you’ve really looked at it closely.

2. Look for all the music scholarships offered by the college you currently attend or are interested in attending.

• Some of these are offered directly by the schools and you’re considered for them when you apply and audition (no additional application needed). These are typically merit-based.
• Others are offered by foundations – these you WILL need to apply for separately.

3. Check out scholarships offered to students in your hometown and state.

4. U.S. citizens: visit FAFSA for government-related financial aid.

5. Click on all the links to articles and resources listed on the Scholarships page.

6. International students: A few of the scholarships on the Scholarships page apply to you as well. Each music school also indicates the options available to international students. But U.S. schools also have stiff admission requirements regarding the cost of attending.

7. Be METICULOUS about meeting deadlines. Don’t wait until the last minute so that you can check to see if your applications for scholarships and other financial aid have been received.

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 non-U.S. citizens and non-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

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

Byron Cameron Education Foundation Scholarship
Four-year, full-tuition scholarship for high academic achieving high school seniors with active participation and leadership in community or civic service. Application deadline: May 1 or as soon as 3,000 applications are received

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: September 30

Cooper International Competition
Alternating years feature a competition for violinists and a competition for pianists. Prizes up to $20,000 plus tuition scholarships to Oberlin Conservatory for top finalists. Application Deadline: April

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

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: First week of February

Gates Scholarship
Full college tuition for Pell-eligible, high-achieving high school seniors from low-income households. Application deadline: September

GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarships
Scholarships up to $40,000 for college for high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in academics and leadership. Application deadline: Early January

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

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes
For anyone between 8-18 who has organized and led an extraordinary service activity tht is clearly benefitting other people of the planet. Ideal for someone who’s made a difference through music. Application deadline: April

Horatio Alger Association
Horatio Alger Scholarships are intended for promising students who have critical financial need, demonstrate integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, and are determined to succeed. Scholarships available for high school juniors, seniors and college students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or certificate program. Also available for graduate students. Deadline: depends on year in school.

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: April

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

John Lennon Scholarships
Student songwriters, ages 17 through 24. Application deadline: January 15

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).

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

Braylin Campbell Memorial Music Business Scholarship Foundation
Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students participating in a music business program. Distributed by Music Biz’s academic partner institutions. Deadline: March

National Federation of Music Clubs
Competition and award prizes for voice, instrumental music, composition, and music therapy. Also financial awards for attending summer music festivals and programs.
Deadline: Varies by award, typically February, March or May.

Native American Vocal Scholars Program at The Plimpton Foundation
Scholarships for enrolled members of federally or state-recognized tribes or descendants of an enrolled member, majoring in voice at the undergraduate level (any genre: classical, contemporary, traditional, or interdisciplinary vocal studies). Application deadline: May 1, 2026

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 deadline: April

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

Posse Arts Program Scholarship
Schools and communities as well as music students themselves can nominate rising high school seniors for scholarships in these areas –  Atlanta, Bay Area, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, Dallas, D.C., Denver, LA, Memphis, Miami, Newark, NYC, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Puerto Rico –  can nominate rising h.s. seniors for full-tuition Posse Arts Scholarships to Posse partner colleges. Deadline: Check with Posse.

Pride Foundation
For LGBTQ+ or questioning and residing 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 individual who inspires and motivates you. Application deadlines: March, June, September, and December

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
Two options: Pat Ostrander 4-Star Collection Quartet Schoarship – for Sweet Adelines quartets to attend one of two vocal events. Bev Sellers Memorial Scholarship: to aid young singers pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Pedagogy, Music Education, or Music Composition at a four-year university. Deadline for both: mid-February

The Music Center’s Spotlight Program
Cash scholarships and artistic development training for high school students in Southern California in these categories of music: classical and contemporary voice and classical and contemporary instrumental (including jazz, pop and rock). 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

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. Application deadline: November 1

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
Two competitions sponsored by the International Double Reed Society. Competitions alternate annually between oboe and bassoon. Must be a member of the International Double Reed Society. 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)