<p>In another thread, a poster relayed a variety of information picked up on audition day at Eastman. In describing the scholarship situation, the poster wrote that scholarships typically range from $5,000 to $15,000. However, the school also gives several scholarships of $30,000 per year; this "scholarship is primarily an academic (not talent) music scholarship."</p>
<p>What is the role, if any, of non-musical, i.e., academic, performance in getting scholarships? I've always assumed that my son's GPA and SAT scores will matter at a school like Northwestern or Michigan in terms of getting accepted, but will they or could they also matter in terms of the amount of a scholarship that he could be offered? </p>
<p>Linde, they are a factor in many schools. DD's academics were specifically cited in the size of at least two of her merit award offers. And in one school, her academic award was separate from her music award and could be combined.</p>
<p>As Singersmom07 indicates, they can be many and varied, but they are also institution specific as to policy and criteria.</p>
<p>In general, the straight conservatories offer only talent based aid, given on the strength of the audition. Conservatory programs attached to state or private universities, or LAC's tend to emphasize the talent audition based awards over comparable merit awards an applicant may be eligible for based on academic stats, SAT's. A half-tuition talent award may supercede an additional half tuition award even though an applicant has the stats (and talent) to warrant both. </p>
<p>Smaller programs within music schools and music departments seem to be the most flexible, with money coming from both sides, although in general, the awards tend to balance out between the two areas.</p>
<p>Non-performance areas like music ed, theory and comp students might be treated a bit differently, awarding high achieving academic candidates, and these awards may or may not have a music prefix on the awards letter.</p>
<p>The plus side is that there can also be music specific scholarships for matriculated students based both on talent, progress and alumni/named/department/discipline specific criteria. Again, very school specific, and these may be automatic/faculty nominated/ or application based, so it pays to seek these out and know what's available once enrolled.</p>
<p>All of DD's academic merit money came from Conservatory programs attached to state or private universities. Since she was particularly interested in having the best of both worlds, these were the programs that attracted her, and BTW became the most financially viable ones due to the mix of merit money available. I would counsel any HS student interested in the arts to still strive to do the best possible in academics. It keeps the most options open. .</p>
<p>Obviously, each institution has its own rules, but both of my music-major children received scholarships related to academics - one at conservatory (Juilliard) and one at a public school (Miami Ohio). So, while it is generally true that academics don't matter as much for music majors in terms of admission, they can make a difference for scholarships.</p>
<p>At UCLA, the regent's scholarship for those in the performance program in the College of Arts and Architecture is a combination of talent and academics, so there is an example of one public university's approach.
At Oberlin, conservatory awards are talent based, but a double degree admittee might receive money from both the conservatory and college -- there seems to be a maximum though, so a very high conservatory award would probably mean no college award.</p>
<p>My two music major children chose public universities, specifically for the opportunity to continue to study with professors with whom they had a brief prior relationship. S has a full tuition scholarship at one of the SUNYS, D is at a PA state school where she also was accepted into their well-regarded Honors College. Her good grades got her a steep tuition discount, equivalent to almost what in-state Pennsylvanians would pay. Each also receives a nice Music Dept. talent scholarship. This means they will each have a little bit "left over" for grad. school (unless the funds totally tank in the meantime!). The academic side is important to both of them. Would agree with the above posters that, in order to keep their options as wide open as possible, capable high-schoolers shouldn't let their academics slide . All 3 of our kids (and they are NOT brilliant, by any stretch of the imagination), were offered various degrees of merit awards at a variety of institutions. So, parents- keep emphasizing the importance of academics even if the kids and their teachers think it's all about the audition! Every little bit of $$ helps in this very expensive journey they are on!</p>
<p>Cincinnati Conservatory of Music is part of the University of Cincinnati. There is a Cincinnatus scholarship competition that gives away 5 (I think) full scholarships. Highly competitive. Academic/leadership/community service type criteria.</p>
<p>The Univ. of Southern California has various scholarships based on merit. This can be added to later with financial aid according to forms submitted to the financial aid office.</p>
<p>Trustee Scholarships are awarded to those students who apply by Dec. 1st and show outstanding accomplishments, imagination, talent, creativity, test scores or a combination of these. This is a full tuition scholarship. An interview is necessary. These are given by separate schools. Also, providing the student maintains a certain GPA, these funds follow the student even if he/she participates in the SC study abroad programs. </p>
<p>Presidential Scholarships are awarded to students with half tuition. Again, these are competitive and require an interview. Admitted students who are NMScholars and indicate USC as their first choice university are also awarded a Presidential Scholarship.</p>
<p>Dean's Scholarships are one quarter tuition. No interview is necessary, but it is competitive.</p>
<p>The Thornton School awards a certain number of Trustee Scholarships, Presidential and Dean's each year in addition to scholarships such as alumni, SCions, special interest and others.</p>