This snapshot is built from CollegeWhale’s own scholarship database and planning tools. It shows how many awards are available for Music majors, how much money is on the table, and what early-career pay and typical college costs can look like.
We currently have 14 Music verified and active scholarships available in our database. These awards come from professional associations, nonprofit organizations, and private sponsors. We’re actively adding scholarships tied to Music. Check back often or use our main scholarship search to uncover more awards that fit your profile.
Across these listings, the total advertised award value comes to roughly $54,500. Many scholarships for this major list flexible or renewable award amounts. As we continue to add additional Music scholarships, this section will show an estimate of the total dollars currently available in our database.
Graduates with a Music degree commonly see early-career median pay around $50,000 per year, depending on location, employer type, and experience.
Music ROI Snapshot:
We estimate a typical 4-year net cost of college at about
$108,584.
First-year median earnings are roughly 46% of that total cost. At that pace, it would take about 2.2 years of early-career earnings to “earn back” your degree investment (before taxes and living costs).
The average cost of in-of-state college in the United States is $27,146 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses. Out-of-state students pay $45,708 per year. Private, nonprofit university students pay $58,628. According to data provided by educationdata.org as of 8/2025. Our ROI calculation is based on in-state average tuition. Median pay statistics are provided by bls.gov
The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Music scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.
The Gordon Hay Scholarship is a merit-based award offered through Blumenthal Arts, a nonprofit organization committed to enriching communities through arts education and performance opportunities. This scholarship was established in memory of Gordon Hay, an organizational development professional whose passion
Award: $10,000 Deadline: June Est. Application Time: High (103 min)
The GRAMMY Museum Grant Program, supported by the Recording Academy, provides competitive funding to support two major areas of work: the preservation of historic recorded sound and scholarly research into the impact of music on human health and behavior. This
Award: $20,000 Deadline: September Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
The Glenn Miller Birthplace Society (GMBS) Scholarship Competition honors the legacy of legendary bandleader Glenn Miller by offering a national music-performance scholarship to aspiring musicians. Since 1977, the Society has invited high school seniors and college freshmen who plan to
Award: $1 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
The George Heller Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Actors’ Equity Foundation, supports aspiring theatre professionals who demonstrate artistic promise, dedication to the performing arts, and financial need. Named in honor of George Heller—an influential figure in Actors’ Equity Association—the scholarship
Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Med (73 min)
The Broadway League Diversity Scholarship supports students from underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing careers in the theatre industry—both onstage and behind the scenes. Administered by The Broadway League, the national trade association for the Broadway industry, this scholarship aims to
Award: Varies Deadline: May Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)
The Kawai America Piano Scholarship supports young pianists who demonstrate outstanding talent and potential in piano performance or composition. The award is meant to encourage the next generation of pianists and composers by providing financial support and recognition through a
Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Med (58 min)
The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship, part of the NAACP Inspire Initiatives, provides financial support to outstanding students pursuing undergraduate degrees. This scholarship advances equity in educational opportunities and celebrates students pursuing careers in the visual and performing arts. All
Award: $2,000 Deadline: April Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)
The Arts for Life! Scholarship is a statewide arts education award created to recognize and support Florida high school seniors who demonstrate exceptional talent in the visual and performing arts. Established by former Florida First Lady Columba Bush, the program
Award: $1,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (68 min)
Name: National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Scholarship Application Award Amount: Scholarship award amounts vary depending...
Award: Varies Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Med (86 min)
The Aerosmith Scholarship is a selective, merit-based institutional award created to support exceptional students enrolled in the Music Business and Management program at Berklee College of Music. Established in partnership with the legendary rock band Aerosmith, the scholarship reflects a
Award: Varies Deadline: June Est. Application Time: Med (58 min)
The NAACP Society Awards Scholarship is a competitive undergraduate scholarship offered through the NAACP Inspire Initiatives to support Black students and students of color who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership potential, and a strong interest in the visual and performing arts.
Award: $1,000 Deadline: June Est. Application Time: Low (28 min)
The Glenn Miller Scholarship Competition, presented by the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society in Clarinda, Iowa, is one of the nation’s longest-running and most respected music scholarships for young performers. Designed to honor the musical legacy of famed bandleader Glenn Miller,
Award: $1,000 Deadline: August Est. Application Time: Low (13 min)This comprehensive collection of Music scholarships and grants for the 2027 - 2028 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Music scholarship opportunities.
Music scholarships and grants help students pursue degrees in performance, composition, music education, music therapy, music business, and other related disciplines. Because music programs require not only academic commitment but also extensive training, instrument costs, and performance preparation, financial aid is essential for many students. Funding comes from universities, private arts foundations, professional music associations, competitions, and corporate partners who recognize the importance of supporting talented musicians. Whether a student specializes in classical voice, jazz percussion, songwriting, conducting, or music production, there are numerous opportunities to earn financial support and decrease educational expenses.
Music scholarships are often awarded based on audition quality, portfolio strength, academic achievement, leadership, and artistic potential. Some awards focus on supporting emerging composers, while others prioritize students committed to teaching, community engagement, or advancing the arts. Many scholarships also aim to preserve cultural traditions, strengthen diversity in music programs, and encourage innovation in contemporary music.
Yes. A wide range of scholarships exist for undergraduate and graduate students studying music. These awards may be talent-based, merit-based, or need-based, and can be tied to specific musical disciplines such as performance, composition, conducting, or music education.
Universities with strong music programs often offer competitive financial packages to attract top musicians. Professional music organizations also provide scholarships that support students at various stages of their academic careers. Whether a student is pursuing classical violin, jazz improvisation, film scoring, music theory, or audio engineering, dedicated scholarships help them access the training and resources needed to succeed.
Students exploring funding will encounter several major categories of music scholarships:
Each category opens unique opportunities depending on a student’s musical focus and career path.
The John Lennon Scholarship, founded by the BMI Foundation, supports emerging student songwriters and composers who create original contemporary music. It is one of the most competitive songwriting awards in the United States.
Eligibility includes:
Winners receive up to $20,000 and gain recognition within the songwriting community. Many past recipients have gone on to successful careers in music production, film scoring, commercial songwriting, and independent artistry.
The ASCAP Foundation Scholarship offers multiple awards for aspiring composers, songwriters, and music business professionals. These scholarships support various genres including classical composition, jazz improvisation, pop songwriting, and musical theatre writing.
Highlights include:
ASCAP scholarships celebrate exceptional musical creativity and help students gain exposure through national recognition.
Yes. Many programs specifically support women pursuing careers in music, addressing historical gender imbalances in composition, music production, conducting, and performance.
Top scholarships include:
These programs help close gender gaps and create more equitable opportunities for women in music leadership, composition, and production.
The Glenn Miller Scholarship honors the legacy of the famous bandleader by supporting young musicians who demonstrate excellence in performance.
Eligibility requirements:
Awards typically range between $1,000 and $5,000, making it a valuable opportunity for students pursuing jazz or classical studies.
Yes. Many prestigious programs support high school students preparing to major in music.
Examples include:
These programs help young artists gain national visibility and competitive preparation for top conservatories.
The Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award supports gifted young musicians who show both exceptional talent and financial need.
Requirements include:
Recipients receive up to $10,000 for musical training, instruments, summer programs, and educational expenses.
Several major corporations contribute to music education through scholarships, networking opportunities, and mentorship programs.
Examples include:
Corporate scholarships often include industry access, making them highly valuable for students pursuing careers in the modern music market.
Students preparing to become music teachers can access specialized scholarships focused on strengthening K–12 arts programs.
Key awards include:
Music education scholarships strengthen school music programs and help develop the next generation of arts educators.
Music therapy is a rapidly growing field combining psychology, medicine, and the arts. Students can apply for:
These scholarships help future therapists use music to support mental health, rehabilitation, and wellness.
Many leading music schools offer substantial institutional awards:
Award amounts vary widely but often cover significant portions of tuition.
The NFMC Scholarship supports talented U.S. musicians in categories such as piano, voice, strings, composition, and chamber music.
Requirements include:
Awards typically range from $1,000 to $5,000, with additional funding for national winners.
To promote diversity and accessibility in music, several organizations offer scholarships for underrepresented groups, including:
These scholarships help expand representation across musical genres and academic levels.
When applying for music scholarships, students should:
A well-organized application strategy significantly increases the chances of receiving financial support.
Scholarships for music majors are abundant, diverse, and accessible to students across many specialties — including performance, composition, education, therapy, business, and production. Whether you’re a classical violinist, jazz saxophonist, electronic music producer, or aspiring K-12 music teacher, numerous awards can help reduce costs and open doors to advanced training, professional development, and artistic growth.
Reviewed by CollegeWhale Editorial Team on November, 2025. Content is updated regularly to reflect current scholarship deadlines and verified data from official sources.
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