Music is such a passion for certain students that they want to make a career out of doing what they love. While a career as a music teacher is rewarding for many, there are other options, including audio engineering, video game sound design, and music therapy. Whatever musical career path you decide upon, you can undoubtedly use a few scholarships to help fund your education.

Jump ahead to:

• Top Music Scholarships
• Need-based Financial Aid for Music Students
• Summary of Music Scholarships
• Expired Music Scholarships

Keep on reading to learn more about our top music scholarships including eligibility, award amount, and application deadlines!

Top Music Scholarships in 2020

Austin Kramer Music Scholarship 

• Eligibility: Open to students at all levels who share an inspiring song, curate a 10-20 track playlist, and then submit a paragraph (under 100 words) explaining your playlist
• Amount: $500
• Deadline: January 2, 2021

Berklee College of Music Presidential Scholarship

• Eligibility: Students demonstrating the highest musical merit and the highest financial need are eligible. Audition required
• Amount: Tuition, on-campus housing, and a laptop
• Deadlines: Fall (September) EA: November 1; Fall (September)Regular Decision: January 15; Spring (January): July 1; Summer (May): December 1

Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Scholarship

• Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors or first-year college students who intend to make music a central part of their future life
• Amount: $4,000
• Deadline: March 2, 2021 (Opens in mid November)

Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award

• Eligibility: Full-time students between the ages of 8–18 with exceptional musical talents
• Amount: $10,000
• Deadline: March 2

John Lennon Scholarships

• Eligibility: Current student or alumnus/alumna at a U.S. college or university between the ages of 17 and 24 who submit an original song in any genre
• Amount: $20,000 (three will be awarded!)
• Deadline: January 22, 2021

Peermusic Latin Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to students composers enrolled in college for the best original song or instrumental work in any Latin genre
• Amount: $5,000
• Deadline: January 22, 2021

School Band & Orchestra Magazine Essay Scholarship

• Eligibility: Open to students who write an essay of 250 words or less on a music theme
• Amount: Ten $1,000 scholarships are awarded in two categories: Five $1,000 scholarships to students in grades four to eight and five $1,000 scholarships to students in grades nine through 12
• Deadline: December 31

Women Band Directors International Scholarships

• Eligibility: Aspiring female band directors enrolled in a university music curriculum pursuing a degree in music education
• Amount: $300 to $500
• Deadline: December 1

Need-based Financial Aid for Music Students

If you are a current or prospective music major, you may also qualify for need-based financial aid through your college or through the government. There are two major financial aid applications you should know about:

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA) which is how students can access financial aid through the government. This financial aid can include federal student loans, Federal SEOG Grants, and Pell Grants.
• CSS Profile which is how some colleges and universities award institutional financial aid.

Be sure to check-in with your college to see what applications are required for need-based financial aid.

Summary of Music Scholarships

1. Austin Kramer Music Scholarship 
2. Berklee College of Music Presidential Scholarship
3. Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship
4. Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award
5. John Lennon Scholarships
6. Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Scholarship
7. Ocean Awareness Contest
8. Peermusic Latin Scholarship
9. School Band & Orchestra Magazine Essay Scholarship
10. Women Band Directors International Scholarships

Expired Scholarships

Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship

• Eligibility: African-American college students majoring in the performing arts
• Amount: $3,000
• Deadline: April 30 (Opens February 3, 2021)

Ocean Awareness Contest 

• Eligibility: Students ages 11 to 18 who create a work of art in their chosen genre, including visual art, film, music, poetry, prose, and interactive and multimedia
• Amount: Scholarships worth from $100 to $1,500
• Deadline: June 15