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Cara Goldstone Image Written By: Cara Goldstone | Edited By: Kevin Ladd | Updated: June 6, 2026

Music Scholarships

Key takeaways:

  • Students can win scholarships based on their skill and participation in music programs.
  • Many universities that have designated schools of music award students with departmental scholarships.
  • There are music scholarships for all kinds of musicians, including classical, contemporary, vocal, instrumental, and more.

According to the National Association of Schools of Music, over 607 accredited colleges and universities in the U.S. offer musical education through designated schools as of 2025. Students of music can win scholarships to offset the high costs of their college attendance with Scholarships.com; keep reading for a list of the top scholarships for musicians and strategies you can use to win them.

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The 25 Best Music Scholarships with Approaching Deadlines in 2026

  • 1

  • Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineJune 13, 2026

The Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts is an award of up to $2,000 for Central Florida theatre students who are actively involved in the LGBTQ+ community. The scholarship aims to bring resources to these underserved students in the form of materials or funding for theatrical endeavors. Scholarship Details Need-based Awards range from $1,000 to $2,000

  • 2

  • BMI peermusic Latin Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineJune 30, 2026

The peermusic Latin Award is an annual competition open to student songwriters and composers of Latin music. One of the few distinctions of its kind, the award was established in 2003 through the generosity and vision of peermusic CEO, Ralph Peer II. For two decades, the program has nurtured promising musicians who have gone on to distinguish themselves in the fields of television, film, recorded

  • 3

  • Singing for Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineOctober 11, 2026

At the Annual National Shrimp Festival, the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber awards up to $1,000 to high school students in their Singing for Scholarships competition. Scholarship Details Event Date: Saturday, October 11th, during the Annual National Shrimp Festival One student per Baldwin County high school (public, private, city school, or home-schooled) will compete Top three

  • 4

  • Music Center Spotlight Program

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineOctober 13, 2026

The Spotlight competition provides cash scholarships and artistic development to empower high school students by emphasizing preparation, courage, critical thinking and perseverance while providing an invaluable opportunity for students to hone their performing skills! Southern California High School students of ALL skill levels are encouraged to apply for free. Scholarship Details Over

  • 5

  • Marine Band Concerto Competition for High School Musicians

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineNovember 15, 2026

“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, in conjunction with the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, is pleased to announce its Concerto Competition for High School Musicians is now open. All application materials are due Nov. 15th. The winner will appear as a guest soloist with the Marine Chamber Orchestra during the following concert season and receive a $2,500 scholarship from the Marine

  • 6

  • Jazz at the Ballroom Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineDecember 16, 2026

Each year, our panel of professional musicians awards three California music students monetary awards to further their jazz education and music programs. The winners are also hired throughout the coming year to perform at JATB events. All applicants are invited to free concerts and workshops throughout the school year. The competition is open to high school jazz instrumentalists in California.

  • 7

  • Dolly Parton Songwriters Award

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 15, 2027

The Dolly Parton Songwriters Award is a prestigious annual competition designed for aspiring songwriters across the nation. Established in 2015, originally as the Nashville Songwriting Scholarship, this award offers a generous grant of $20,000 for up to two individuals. The grant supports various professional expenses, including study, instrument purchase, recording costs, and more, extending

  • 8

  • John Lennon Scholarships

  • Amount$20,000
  • DeadlineJanuary 15, 2027

The John Lennon Award is an annual competition open to student songwriters and composers of contemporary musical genres including alternative, pop, rock, indie, electronica, R&B, and experimental. Established in 1997 by Yoko Ono in conjunction with the BMI Foundation, this prestigious award honors the memory of John Lennon and supports talented emerging songwriters. Three scholarships totaling

  • 9

  • Oregon Music Hall of Fame Scholarship

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineFebruary 25, 2027

In addition to interactive musical presentations, OMHOF awards yearly scholarships to selected graduating Oregon high school seniors who have exhibited serious pursuit and accomplishment in their personal musicianship – and who are college-bound music majors. Recipients are publicly recognized at an award presentation where each performs onstage, demonstrating mastery of his/her

  • 10

  • Stewart Golden Music Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineFebruary 28, 2027

This scholarship was established to celebrate Stewart Golden’s love of music and to enable others to study voice, piano, or organ. Scholarship Details One-time scholarship award of $1,000 Established in memory of Stewart Golden to celebrate his love of music Supports students studying voice, piano, organ, or music education Eligibility Criteria Must be one of the following:

  • 11

  • String Scholarship for High School String Students

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 1, 2027

No prior 1st place winners are allowed to participate. Applicants must be string students residing in the Upper Peninsula or string students studying with an Upper Peninsula teacher at time of application deadline. Entrance Forms must be postmarked by the specified due date. The prize money will be given directly to a summer music camp experience approved by the Artistic Advisory Board of the

  • 12

  • Jared E. Banta Legacy Scholarship

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMarch 6, 2027

The Jared E. Banta Scholarship is offered to graduating seniors at Western Hills High School in Frankfort. Eligible candidates must be involved in sports and/or the arts; have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; demonstrate financial need; and plan to attend a two- or four-year accredited college or university, with preference given to students who plan to attend college in Kentucky or

  • 13

  • Classic Center Cultural Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMarch 13, 2027

Each year, The Classic Center Cultural Foundation provides $30,000 in annual scholarships to talented high school students to help them pursue their passion in a career that will allow them to spread their artistic wings. Scholarships are awarded for hospitality, performing arts, and visual arts based on an application and audition process. The Classic Center Cultural Foundation grants

  • 14

  • Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship

  • Amount$5,000
  • DeadlineMarch 13, 2027

Morris Arts is offering the Elaine Ehlers Arts Scholarship to recognize graduating high school seniors who has exhibited artistic excellence in dance, drama, visual arts, or music. Applications for will be accepted from high school seniors graduating in June who are currently attending public, private, or parochial school in New Jersey. Applicants must be Morris County residents who plan to

  • 15

  • Make Noise Today Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineMarch 21, 2027

Your AAPI identity is more than where you come from—it shapes how you move through the world and how you take action today. Think about the values, traditions, or stories from your family or community that matter most to you. How do they influence how you see fairness, community, or your role in the world? Now take it a step further. Share a moment when your AAPI identity pushed you to do

  • 16

  • Count Basie Center's Arts Impact Scholarships and Awards

  • Amount$2,500
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2027

Count Basie Center's Arts Impact Scholarships and Awards is open to all Monmouth County high school seniors who are graduating in the current academic school year and continuing education after graduation. Those with experiences with any art form and any level of study are welcome. Whether you had one impactful experience or have been taking classes for years, or if you are an actor,

  • 17

  • Arkansas Chamber Singers Music/Vocal Scholarship

  • Amount$2,000
  • DeadlineApril 1, 2027

The Arkansas Chamber Singers Vocal/Choral Music Scholarship is available to any graduating senior from a public or private high school in Arkansas. The student must have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 and must major in music with emphasis in choral or vocal performance at an accredited Arkansas four-year institution of higher education. A high school transcript must accompany the

  • 18

  • Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineApril 15, 2027

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation supports talented musicians from limited financial backgrounds through its scholarship programs and sponsorship of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. The Foundation recognizes that musically talented youth from low-income families often lack the funding for private lessons, master classes, quality instruments, summer programs, and performance experiences. These

  • 19

  • Utah Music Foundation Scholarships

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineMay 3, 2027

The Utah Music Foundation is dedicated to helping musical students reach their academic potential. By offering scholarships to students from rural Utah communities, they help musical students bear the cost of higher education. Applicants must be high school seniors with a background in piano, choral and or vocal performance. Preference is given to students who attended high school in

  • 20

  • ASCAP Foundation Leiber and Stoller Scholarship for Songwriters

  • Amount$10,000
  • DeadlineMay 21, 2027

The ASCAP Foundation Leiber & Stoller Scholarship was established by legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller to support the next generation of musical talent. This scholarship assists high school seniors or recent graduates who aspire to careers as songwriters, musicians, instrumentalists, or vocalists and who plan to major in music at an accredited college or university. The award

  • 21

  • Music for Youth Foundation Awards

  • Amount$1,000
  • DeadlineJune 5, 2027

Music for Youth is offering the Bob Genualdi and Dorothy Straub Scholarship with a June 5th deadline. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded yearly to students who reside in Fairfield County to help support their musical endeavors in high school or college. The scholarship has been established in memory of Dorothy Straub and Robert Genualdi. Eligibility Must be a high school musician

  • 22

  • San Francisco Conservatory of Music Scholarship

  • AmountFull-Tuition
  • DeadlineVaries

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) awards scholarships ranging from $20,000 to full-tuition to SFCM students. All majors are eligible for these awards if they demonstrate academic excellence. Scholarship Details U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students may apply Considers need and merit Students of all grades are eligible

  • 23

  • Curtis Institute of Music/Tuition Scholarships

  • AmountFull-Tuition
  • DeadlineVaries

The Curtis Institute of Music highly values a diverse international student body. Since its founding in 1924, Curtis has welcomed all applicants regardless of race, geographic origin, religious background, socio-economic level, gender, or sexual orientation. The Curtis Institute of Music educates and trains exceptionally gifted young musicians to engage a local and global community through the

  • 24

  • Carson-Newman Tarr Full-Tuition Music Scholarship

  • AmountFull-Tuition
  • DeadlineVaries

At Carson-Newman, faculty mentoring relationships are important and cherished. Because of our commitment to your educational success, members of the music faculty take an active role in helping you navigate the audition process. Students who plan to audition must complete the Music Department Audition Application below. Once we receive your form, a faculty member will contact you. You are

What is a music scholarship?

A music scholarship is a financial aid award given on the basis of a student’s involvement in the musical arts. These scholarships may be offered to music majors or hobbyists who pursue music for recreation; students who participate in choir, band, marching band, orchestra, composition, theory, musical theatre, and music education programs may qualify. Eligibility criteria varies between scholarships.

Some music scholarships, especially those not offered through a college but rather a private organization, may require applicants to demonstrate financial need in order to qualify. Need-based music scholarships will usually require students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered.

Remember, completing the FAFSA does not mean you must accept any loans. It just allows the government to determine whether you qualify for federal financial aid. All eligible students should fill out the FAFSA regardless of their financial status.

What are the best music scholarships?

The best scholarship for any particular student is one that is specific and catered to their interests and individual needs. For this reason, music students should look for scholarships based on qualities such as the particular instrument they play or ensemble in which they participate, as well as more general criteria like year in school or GPA.

Many colleges offer institutional scholarships for students pursuing music, especially if the student is enrolled in the college’s school of music. For instance, the University of Delaware awards music scholarships to incoming music majors who demonstrate excellence in their initial auditions. Music students should check with their schools to see if they are eligible for any institutional awards.

How to apply for music scholarships

The best way to find and apply for music scholarships is by signing up for a free account on Scholarships.com. On Scholarships.com, students can input their basic demographics and academic information– including their particular areas of interest in music– to automatically match with all the scholarships for which they are eligible.

From there, music students can view the details for each of their scholarship matches and sort them in order to organize their applications. Scholarships.com provides full lists of eligibility criteria and step-by-step instructions so students can apply efficiently for music scholarships or any other kind.

Frequently asked questions about music scholarships:

What kinds of music scholarships are there?

There are music scholarships for students in every field imaginable, from show choir to bass clarinet to songwriting to viola, and at any skill and grade level. Even some general art scholarships are open to musicians.

For instance, the Marine Band Concerto Competition for High School Musicians is open to high school students who play the harp, piano, and various string instruments. The Music Center Spotlight Program, on the other hand, is open to Southern California high school students of any contemporary instrument or vocal discipline; students of all skill levels are encouraged to apply.

Do you have to major in music to win a music scholarship?

There are plenty of music scholarships open to non-majors, though they may have more applicants and thus be more competitive than more specialized awards. It’s a good idea for non-majors to find the most specific music scholarships for which they qualify in order to have the highest chance of success.

One example of a highly-specialized music scholarship for non-majors is the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber’s Singing for Scholarships Competition. This $1,000 singing-based award is only open to high schoolers in Alabama’s Baldwin County, which greatly limits the applicant pool. Students can apply regardless of whether they are enrolled in an academic singing program, let alone whether they wish to major in vocal performance.

Are there any full-tuition scholarships for musicians?

Most music scholarships do not cover the cost of a student’s full tuition, but there are a few that do; full-tuition music scholarships tend to be institutional awards offered directly from a particular school to its own students.

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music, for instance, awards merit-based scholarships that may cover a student’s entire attendance cost. Other schools may only award partial-cost scholarships for music students. It all depends on the scholarship.

What are the best music scholarships for minority students?

Finding scholarships based on your minority status is a great way to narrow down your scholarship search. When you also search based on other criteria, such as interest in music, you can find extremely low-competition scholarships targeted directly to your individual needs.

For instance, the Make Noise Today Scholarship is open to AAPI students of the arts, including music. 9 high school students receive up to $2,000 from this scholarship each year. Another example of a music scholarship for minorities is the Singhaus Scholarship for the Performing Arts. It has extremely specific criteria– only LGBTQ+ theatre students in the Central Florida community may apply– so it may be the best option for qualified applicants.

Do you have to have financial need to apply for music scholarships?

Many music scholarships are solely merit-based, meaning that financial need status is not considered as a factor when the scholarship committee chooses its recipients. If you do not have demonstrated financial need, you may still apply for and win merit-based music scholarships.

One example of a purely merit-based music scholarship is the prestigious Dolly Parton Songwriters Award. Worth up to $20,000, the competition is open to any musician between the ages of 17 and 24, regardless of financial need.