20 Best Scholarships for Music Students to Apply For in 2024

Pursuing a degree in college can be pretty costly. For college students pursuing music education, there may be additional charges like instrument repair and maintenance costs for instrumentalists or special tea for vocalists.

One of the best ways graduating high school seniors can save money to achieve a college education is by looking into college scholarships, cash scholarships, or what scholarships are awarded to students offered by a college or university.

Read on for our list of scholarships for music education students to help you get a head-start on that music education.

Best Music Scholarships to Apply to

There are various scholarships, such as full-tuition scholarships, an art scholarship, and a scholarship program for deserving students who need financial aid when it comes to being able to attend college or university. Read on for scholarships and scholarship resources to help you achieve that music education.

About Music Scholarships

Unlike other academic majors, when graduating high school seniors who want to pursue a music education or a performing arts degree, they must apply to both the college or university and the music school. This process means that, in addition to regular application fees, high school students also have to worry about any extra costs that may arise while preparing for and auditioning for the music school.

Music scholarships can help cover these extra costs, primarily if multiple auditions exist. These scholarships can continue alleviating some of the financial obligations associated with higher education. 

What are Music Scholarships?

Music scholarships are financial awards that are given to students who are studying music. These can go to students who are non-performers like music education majors or music business majors, or they can be awarded to performance majors who are instrumentalists or vocalists. 

They can also go to college students who attend college for performing arts, music composition, choral music, an arts training program, or any other varying degrees relating to arts and music.

What Qualifies as a Music Scholarship?

Any scholarship created for or only open to music students is a music scholarship. Commonly these scholarships require an audition piece to showcase the student’s musical ability, but there are music scholarships that require essays or other types of submissions. 

Types of Music Scholarships Available

Music and other performing arts students can qualify for many types of financial aid. Some are exclusive to music students, while others are available to all students.

Merit 

Merit scholarships are financial awards not based on financial need but a student’s demonstrable ability. You must display your ability to excel in your musical skill for music students. For example, if you are a choral music student, you may submit a list of groups you have sung with, which can include music clubs or church music ministry, or audition for the scholarship directly. 

Private Scholarships 

Businesses, organizations, or clubs fund these to cover school costs. These can be local, regional, or national-level scholarships depending on the size of the group awarding the scholarship. 

Academic 

Even though you are going to school to study music, music schools have their application process from the university, which means that you are still eligible for academic scholarships that your college or university may give. 

These scholarships are based on the student’s academic achievements, which their GPA or standardized test scores can determine. 

How to Find Music Scholarships to Apply for?

Looking for scholarships can be a complex and lengthy process, especially if you don’t know where to start. But, many scholarship resources are available to help students find scholarships they qualify for.

The internet is the best place to start if you need help looking for scholarships. Many websites are dedicated to collecting and showcasing scholarships to needy students. These websites are helpful because you can filter out scholarships you know you won’t qualify for. 

Your advisor, professors, or other students within your major or degree program are also great resources for finding scholarships. These people are likely familiar with scholarships that your school sponsors or may not be super popular, making your chances of winning better.

1st Generation People Of Color Patrick Copney Memorial Music/Arts Scholarship

In honor of Patrick Copney’s deep love for music and art, this memorial scholarship seeks to provide two students with $1,000 each.

Students in New York are eligible to apply if they are first-generation college students earning a music or arts degree (music majors) and are African-American high school or undergraduate students from low-income backgrounds.

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 30, 2022

WCEJ Thornton Foundation Music & Art Scholarship

This scholarship’s goal is “to create a world where the contributions of all artists are embraced by the artistic community regardless of background or culture.”

To help reach this ideal, this scholarship to provide $1,000 to five graduating high school seniors attending college and studying the arts in higher education.

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: July 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 1, 2022

Carl’s Music Matters Scholarship

To encourage high school graduating seniors who are aspiring musicians to pursue their creative goals, this scholarship will award one student $500 to help with costs associated with college or university.

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: February 21, 2023
• Winner Announced: March 21, 2023

Henry D. Teuteberg Memorial Music Scholarship

This memorial scholarship seeks to honor the legacy of Henry D. Teuteberg by providing $1,000 to high school graduating seniors in Wisconsin interested in studying music in college or university.

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: July 4, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 4, 2022

Chang Heaton Scholarship for Music Excellence

Aims to support first-generation Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students pursuing careers in music and theater by awarding five students $505 each.

• Amount: $505
• Application Deadline: June 25, 2022
• Winner Announced: July 25, 2022

Jacob Naumann Memorial Scholarship

To honor the life of Jacob Naumann, this scholarship seeks to assist full-time college students pursuing a career in music or music programs.

Open to high school seniors, juniors, and graduate students enrolled in a college or university in Missouri or Illinois. It is also available to college or university undergraduate students in Missouri or Illinois.

• Amount: $2,000
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 31, 2022

Grant Woolard Memorial Scholarship

This memorial scholarship aims to honor the life of Grant Woodard and his love of music by awarding $1300 to a student pursuing a degree in music or a foreign language.

This scholarship is open to high school students, college or university undergraduates, and graduate students in a music education program.

• Amount: $1,300
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 31, 2022

Small Seed Big Flower Scholarship

Sponsored by Bold.org, it aims to support first-generation BIPOC undergraduate students by providing $1,015 to a student who needs financial aid.

• Amount: $1,015
• Application Deadline: November 15, 2022
• Winner Announced: December 15, 2022

Glider AI-Omni Inclusive Allies of LGBTQ+ (GOAL+) Scholarship

To eliminate some of the barriers LGBTQ+ students face when pursuing higher education, this scholarship seeks to provide $1,750 to four students to help them with their educational goals.

• Amount: $1,750
• Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 30, 2022

Bold.org Ambassador “Celebrating Summer” Scholarship

Summer is here! Start your summer vacation by getting a jump start on covering your college costs. This is a no-essay scholarship, so students who apply earlier will have a better chance of winning.

• Amount: $1,015
• Application Deadline: July 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: July 22, 2022

Bold Optimist Scholarship

Can you keep a smile on your face in the face of adversity? You have a chance to be awarded $500 for being a positive person.

This is an essay scholarship, which has a low word count. This scholarship is excellent for high school seniors applying last minute.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: July 14, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 14, 2022

First-Year College Students: Jennie Gilbert Daigre Education Scholarship

Even if you study music, you must pick up a textbook or two from your university’s bookstore. This scholarship intends to provide $500 to a college or university undergraduate student to cover the cost of books.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 30, 2022

Supermom Scholarship

To acknowledge and support the unique needs of single mothers, this scholarship will award $2,000 to an undergraduate or graduate student who either is a single mother or has been directly impacted by one.

• Amount: $2,000
• Application Deadline: August 31, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 30, 2022

Affordable College Prep’s First Time Winners Scholarship

Applying for scholarships and financial aid can be a long process, especially if you haven’t done so before or haven’t received any luck with scholarships.

If you are a high school student who has never won a scholarship, this scholarship asks you to write about what you’ve learned from the application process to win $500.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: November 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: December 1, 2022

Mental Health Matters Scholarship

Leaders can struggle too. This scholarship seeks to support students who have worked on their mental health and are active in their community. The scholarship is $500 and is available to high school students, college or university students, or graduate students who have struggled with and overcome mental health issues.

• Amount: $500
• Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 30, 2022

ProjectGiveBack Scholarship for Black Women

This scholarship intends to highlight young Black women who have demonstrated excellent leadership skills and a commitment to give back to the Black community.

The $2000 financial award will be split between two winners chosen by a panel of Black women.

• Amount: $2,000
• Application Deadline: July 26, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 26, 2022

Lee Avenatti Memorial Scholarship

This $2,500 memorial scholarship is open to any self-identified LGBTQIA+ high school student or undergraduate student who is motivated and passionate. It has a history of time spent in a group home or foster care.

• Amount: $2,500
• Application Deadline: August 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: August 31, 2022

Francis “Slip” Madigan Scholarship

The unique challenges first-generation college or university students face can make it difficult to pursue higher education. To combat this, this scholarship seeks to award $1,000 to a high school senior in Massachusetts who will be a first-generation college student.

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 30, 2022

Michael Rudometkin Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship seeks to award $600 to a high school senior or college or university student involved in their community and who wishes to pursue a degree, certificate, or trade school in the field they are passionate about it is music education or vocal performance education.

• Amount: $600
• Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 30, 2022

Michael J. Burns Military Children Scholarship

To honor the life of Michael J. Burns, this memorial scholarship pays homage to his legacy of giving by awarding $1,000 to one student from a military family who needs financial assistance to pursue their educational goals.

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: September 1, 2022
• Winner Announced: September 30, 2022

Marcarelli Community Spirit Scholarship

To celebrate students who are active community members, this scholarship aims to award $1,000 to two high school graduating seniors who live in Maryland and are involved in their school or district through athletics, volunteer work, or related activities.

• Amount: $1,000
• Application Deadline: March 30, 2023
• Winner Announced: April 30, 2023

Tips for Winning Music Scholarships

So now you know where to look for scholarships, but how do you make sure you get chosen? Well, there is no way to guarantee that you’ll win all the scholarships you apply for, but you can increase your chances. 

If you are preparing for a scholarship that requires an audition, ensures that everything else that comes with auditioning is taken care of and your sound. Have your outfit, travel plans, and any other arrangements planned and handled before your audition. 

For scholarships that require an essay, make sure that your essay answers all parts of the prompt. Look for ramblings or extra information that doesn’t pertain to the subject of the prompt. Also, make sure that your writing is clear and engaging. Having a boring and hard-to-read essay is an easy way to lose the sponsor’s attention when they try to read your response. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Music Scholarships

Still, have some questions about scholarships for music students? Here are some additional questions that you might have.

Are Music scholarships legit?

Music scholarships are legit. Of course, you may run into some scholarships that are shady or otherwise too good to be true. Ensure you are careful during your scholarship search, especially online, and never give out any sensitive information. 

How can I improve my chances of winning Music scholarships?

Playing to your strengths is an excellent way to increase your chances of winning music scholarships. If you are a better writer than a musician, apply for more scholarships that require essays. If you are a better musician than a writer, try applying for more scholarships that allow you to send audition tapes.

How many music scholarships can you get?

There is no limit to how many music scholarships you can get. However, scholarships sponsored by a specific music school usually require you to attend that school if you accept the award, so there are limits to the number of those scholarships you can have. 

Are Music scholarships taxable income?

If you spend the money on school, your scholarship awards will not be considered taxable income. 

What’s the best way to apply for Music scholarships?

Applying online is likely one of the easiest ways to apply for scholarships. You can find and filter the scholarships you apply for as well as keep track of these scholarships after you apply. Other students who are using it at the same time can also share links to scholarships they think you would have a good chance of winning.