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 memberservices@nafme.org.
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
Scholarships for High School Juniors
Music-Related Scholarships
Marine Band Concerto Competition
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and NAfME, announces the Marine Band Concerto Competition for high school musicians.
- The winner will appear as a guest soloist with the U.S. Marine Band and receive a cash prize. Open to high school musicians (grades 9–12) enrolled during the 2017–2018 academic year. Performers of woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments may apply.
- Deadline: November 15
National Music Scholarship Fair
This annual spring 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.
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 20th annual essay contest will commence September 1, 2019.
- 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.
- Deadline: December 31
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: February 13
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: March 29, 2019
Application information can be found on the VSA website.
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.
- Winners have the chance to win up to $1,000 in scholarship funds for summer music study.
- Deadline: May 3
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 Playbill, Inc. and Disney Theatrical Productions. 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. This program offers six semi-finalists mentorship opportunities with professional songwriters and musicians and the opportunity to have an original song performed by those musicians.
The National Champion will be awarded a scholarship of $25,000 and all six finalists will have their song published by Samuel French. The application portal opens on October 2, 2017 and must be submitted by January 5, 2018. Six regional semi-finalists will be announced in February and the national competition among the six regional semi-finalists will be held in April in New York City.
Community Service/Extracurricular Activities Oriented-Scholarships
Flying Musicians Association Solo Scholarship Program
Are you a high school music student? Do you want to learn to fly? Get your music director to nominate you for the FMA Solo Scholarship. In cooperation with FMA’s corporate members and sponsors nationwide, this program will fund scholarships to juniors or seniors in high school who have been nominated by their music director.
- Deadline: January 31
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.
- Scholarships of $25,000 are available.
- Deadline: January 31
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 6
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.
- Students 25 and under who are participating in student group travel are eligible.
- Awards up to $1,000 are available.
- Deadlines: March 15, November 15
Scholarships for High School Seniors
Music-Related Scholarships
Marine Band Concerto Competition
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and NAfME, announces the Marine Band Concerto Competition for high school musicians.
- The winner will appear as a guest soloist with the U.S. Marine Band and receive a cash prize. Open to high school musicians (grades 9–12) enrolled during the 2017–2018 academic year. Performers of woodwind, brass, or percussion instruments may apply.
- Deadline: November 15
Donald Runnicles Musical Arts Scholarship Competition
The scholarship competition is open to high school seniors from Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana who plan to pursue degrees in music (classical, jazz, or other) at an accredited four-year college with a music program recognized by the National Association of Schools of Music, or a conservatory with a widely recognized national profile such as The Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, or the New England Conservatory.
- First prize is $20,000; second prize is $12,500; and third prize is $7,500.
- As part of the application process, students are required to submit an audition video. Semi-finalists will be invited to perform in a daylong celebration of music at Walk Festival Hall in Jackson Hole on Saturday, June 8, 2019, where they will compete for the scholarship prize money in front of GTMF’s panel of renowned judges and a live audience.
- Deadline: April 1, 2019, 11:59 PM MDT
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.
- Deadline: March 1
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.
- Deadline: December 31
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: February 13
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.
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.
- Deadline: December 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: March 29, 2019
Application information can be found on the VSA website.
YoungArts 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 be named a U. S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts.
- Individual awards of up to $10,000 are available.
- Deadline: October 12, 2018
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 15, 2019
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.
- Winners have the chance to win up to $1,000 in scholarship funds for summer music study.
- Deadline: May 3
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 Playbill, Inc. and Disney Theatrical Productions. 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. This program offers six semi-finalists mentorship opportunities with professional songwriters and musicians and the opportunity to have an original song performed by those musicians.
The National Champion will be awarded a scholarship of $25,000 and all six finalists will have their song published by Samuel French. The application portal opens on October 2, 2017 and must be submitted by January 5, 2018. Six regional semi-finalists will be announced in February and the national competition among the six regional semi-finalists will be held in April in New York City.
James V. Brooks Scholarship Fund
The James V. Brooks Scholarship Fund was established by his sister, Ms. Shirley Bing. The mission of the fund is: (1) to provide scholarships to graduating seniors in local Jacksonville schools that intend to be active in music related activities during their higher education tenure and (2) to financially assist children in Jacksonville who express an interest in music and whose families are unable to afford instruction to develop their skills.
- Deadline: April 15, 2018
Community Service/Extracurricular Activities Oriented Scholarships
Flying Musicians Association Solo Scholarship Program
Are you a high school music student? Do you want to learn to fly? Get your music director to nominate you for the FMA Solo Scholarship. In cooperation with FMA’s corporate members and sponsors nationwide, this program will fund scholarships to juniors or seniors in high school who have been nominated by their music director.
- Deadline: January 31
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 6
The scholarship application period will occur twice yearly with awards delegated in both the Spring and Fall. The Spring application period is from November 1-January 31 of each year. The Fall application period is from May 1-July 31 of each year. Complete the following form within the designated application periods.
- Deadline: January 31, 2019
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: March 15, November 15
KidGuard Education is offering multiple $500-$1,000 scholarships for all students. Within the last two years, KidGuard Education has provided $8,000 in scholarship to support students of all grades and professions.
This scholarship will now be an annual opportunity. The application deadline is every year on October 31. High school and university scholarships are available.
Scholarships for Marching Musicians
The following organizations offer resources for marching musicians who are looking for college funds.
- The John Philip Sousa Foundation: the Dr. Robert Hawkins Memorial Scholarship provides a $1,000 scholarship for a student 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
BMI John Lennon Songwriting Program
This scholarship is awarded to the best original composition for vocal-instrumental performance with the broadest popular appeal.
- Open only to current students or recent alumnus/alumna at any institution with an active NAfME Collegiate chapter. Students may enter by submitting entries to the campus Collegiate Chapter advisor.
- The 1st place winner receives a $10,000 scholarship, and two runners-up receive a $5,000 scholarship.
- Deadline to submit entries to your chapter advisor is in December. See the BMI Contest page for more information.
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
- Awards of up to $1,500
- Deadline: April 2, 2018
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 open to graduating seniors at Syracuse University and University of Florida who are receiving a degree in Music Education and who will be teaching music or pursuing an advanced degree in music after graduation.
- 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.
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 $4,000.
- Deadline: March 4
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.
- Audition: January 25, 2019
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: March 29, 2019
Application information can be found on the VSA website.
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.
- Deadline: April 27, 2018
CBC Spouses Heineken USA Performing Arts Scholarship
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 15, 2019
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.
- Deadline: March 15, 2019
Community Service/Extracurricular Activities Oriented Scholarships
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: March 15, November 15
The scholarship application period will occur twice yearly with awards delegated in both the Spring and Fall. The Spring application period is from November 1-January 31 of each year. The Fall application period is from May 1-July 31 of each year. Complete the following form within the designated application periods.
- Deadline: January 31, 2019
KidGuard Education is offering multiple $500-$1,000 scholarships for all students. Within the last two years, KidGuard Education has provided $8,000 in scholarship to support students of all grades and professions.
This scholarship will now be an annual opportunity. The application deadline is every year on October 31. High school and university scholarships are available.
Other Scholarships
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 December 31st.
- Winning submission selected by January 31st.
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.
Helpful Links
State Music Educators Association Scholarships
Some state music educators associations offer scholarships to high school or college music students. Visit NAfME’s Federated State Associations page and click on your state MEA website to check for opportunities.
Scholarship Search Engines & Databases
A list of music scholarships organized by focus area/instrument.
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 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. NAfME cannot be held responsible for any marketing contact you may receive through the use of this Web site.
Provides a customized profile for information on college choices, available Federal loans and scholarship opportunities.
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.
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!
Provides a free scholarship search to provide customized scholarship leads.
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.
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 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. Deadline May 18, 2018.
Scholarship Help
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’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.
Provides advice on a variety of topics, from how to afford college to how to consolidate your student loans
