Music Scholarships

It doesn't matter what your major is - we all could do with a little financial aid. But sometimes finding a scholarship that's right for you can be difficult, especially if you're majoring in anything artistic. Luckily, with a little digging, you can find quite a few good ones. Here’s a handful of scholarships for music majors out there:

1. ASCAP Foundation Scholarships

The mother lode of music scholarships. The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers offers a boat load of scholarships and awards year round for the artistically and musically-inclined student. Take a few moments to peruse this lengthy list of gift-aid options.

2. BMI Foundation Scholarships

Founded by Broadcast Music Incorporated, this collection of scholarships, awards, and more are available to students studying all sorts of musical careers, from jazz players to future conductors. There's bound to be something that fits right into your niche.

3. YMF Scholarships

Open to anyone from 8-26, these scholarships are designed to put towards anything from festival attendance to school tuition, and have been handed out for half a century!

4. ASMAC Foundation Scholarships

The American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers offers anywhere from two to six scholarships per year to members of ASMAC that are studying arrangement or composition at an American institution (conservatory, college, etc.).

5. Dr. Robert Hawkins Memorial Scholarship

The John Philip Sousa Foundation gives away one $1,000 scholarship every academic year in honor of Robert Hawkins, a band director and orchestra conductor. Applicants must be working towards a degree in instrumental music education at a college or university in the U.S.

6. Nellie Love Butcher Music Scholarship

This scholarship awards up to $5,000 for a student pursuing an education in piano or voice. Applicants must submit an mp3 file with a performance (voice or piano) to be considered. Special preference is given to students attending the Duke Ellington School of the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

7. National Federation of Music Clubs Scholarships

The National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) gives away scholarships for music majors for everything from composition, music education, specific instruments, and more. Their scholarships range from $500 to $3,000, and with so many categories, there’s a good chance you’ll find a scholarship fit for you.

8. Male Chorus Association Music Scholarships

The Associated Male Choruses of America (AMCA) awards scholarships from $1,000 to $1,200 to eligible candidates sponsored by a member chorus of the Associated Male Choruses of America. Applicants must also be a full-time student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music (vocal or choral emphasis preferred).

These are all awesome examples of music scholarships that anyone with some time to invest could snag. It's important to remember that in the world of scholarships, there's one for everybody, sometimes you just have to be willing to dig a little deeper to find them!