<p>I was wondering if anyone could speak about financial aid for music school, specifically for graduate students. I am in the process of applying for my masters in piano performance at very competitive schools (MSM, Mannes, Yale, NEC, Peabody) and wanted to know how the financial assistance situation is. Do most schools give need-based fin. aid for those students demonstrating a lot of need? What about merit scholarships? I've been told that very very very few pianists receive merit aid so I'm not expecting this at all. Are there any outside scholarship/fellowships available for music students? I'm currently at a small liberal arts college where I'm receiving a large amount of financial aid, can I expect the same kind of help at a conservatory? Thank you so much for any answers/advice (I'm so clueless!).</p>
<p>NEC and Peabody are notoriously stingy with aid money. Yale School of Music offers free tuition to all at the graduate level, but you still have to come up with money for room and board, books and incidentals. I do not know what the situation is like at MSM and Mannes.</p>
<p>Financial aid for grad students is VERY different than that for undergrads. In most cases, finaid for grad students is merit based in the form of scholarships, fellowships and assistantships. Grad students can borrow a significant amount in Stafford loans (could be up to the cost of tuition). For grad students there are no federal grants or loans (e.g. Perkins). I believe most aid is institutional aid (money being dispersed by the colleges or conservatories).</p>
<p>You would have better luck getting money at one of the university based music schools, and the money would require you to accompany quite a bit. Most pianist do quite well if they have a gift for ensemble and collaborative playing. </p>
<p>Agree with what all have said. Additionally, excellent talent on a desireable instrument can be a huge plus depending on the school and specific program; high level skills in theory, history, or a music education background broadens your chances for teaching/grad assistant fellowships.</p>
<p>Applicants can also try to find some outside funding, like a Javits fellowship -- it is highly competitive for music -- two a year, I think -- but it is worth exploring that and other possibilities.</p>
<p>At Peabody, you can interview for assistantships in theory, keyboard studies, etc., and I think that can cover about a half of your tuition plus some stipend (don't really know the number; you can look it up). As a pianist, you can probably accompanying a lots (and maybe teach a little) to complement the cost of education. But there is little merit money out there for pianist, unfortunately.</p>