Are you a black student or an undergraduate who is interested in studying music but lacks the money needed to fund your education in the music industry, that is why I have created a list of Music Scholarships for Black Students, there are scholarships for students majoring or minoring in music.
Whether you are in pursuit of a formal education in music performance, music education, music therapy, or any other type of music major most of these scholarships below have you covered.
I understand being in a situation where you have a passion for the art of music or even any other field but what is holding you back is funds, it can be frustrating and even depressing at times but these scholarships have decided to provide a haven for you to study music with little or no financial investment.
I know you are passionate about music, whether it is music performance or therapy, or you love the feeling of teaching or impacting knowledge about music to other people, getting formal education like a certificate in music therapy, or a degree in music education will help you kick-start your career in the music industry.
In this blog post, I will tell you more about the music scholarships available for black students who are looking forward to studying music, details about these scholarships will be revealed, and the value of the scholarships and the kind of programs you can apply for.
Table of Contents
What is a Music Scholarship
Scholarships can be defined as a form of financial award or financial aid provided by colleges, universities, or community institutes to trade school students to support the cost of their education, these funds are sometimes paid directly to the school for tuition costs or are paid directly to the student to spend as they wish, a scholarship grant does not have to be repaid.
A Music Scholarship is an investment in the Music program that makes provision for students who are interested in music to be able to study music in an institution that has all they need to start a career in the music industry, these funds are awarded to aspirants in the culinary arts to help them pursue their musical education and dreams.
The specific details and requirements of the music scholarships for international students may vary from year to year, as the program is subject to change.
Such scholarships make it possible to pay for music education and take off a financial burden while you focus on earning your undergraduate degree.
Types Of Music Scholarships
Types of music scholarship mean there are different music scholarships because different types of music schools assess applicants in distinct ways, I have listed four types of music scholarships which include;
Merit-based Scholarships
Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students or individuals who have been assessed and evaluated based on their academic accomplishments and musical talents.
Competition-based Scholarships
Scholarships based on competition are granted to students or individuals who have taken part in or emerged victorious in a music competition.
Personal Criteria Scholarships
Personal Criteria Scholarships are awarded to students who meet certain personal criteria, for instance, active-duty military or veterans, single parents, certain ethnic groups or races, place of residence, or members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Need-based Scholarships
Need-based Scholarships are awarded to students or individuals who are financially unstable or lower-income students, to help bridge their financing gap.
List of Music Scholarships for Black Students
- Great Value Colleges Music Scholarships for Black Students
- CAAPA Scholarships
- The Black Music Therapy Network
- Your Future is Now Scholarship Program
- CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship
Great Value Colleges Music Scholarships for Black Students
The Great Value Scholarship is one of the scholarships for black students who are interested in studying music or getting a major or minor in music, to apply for this scholarship you have to be a citizen of the United States.
If you are interested in studying music education, music therapy, music performance, or any other music-related major, you can apply for this scholarship, this scholarship is not awarded to people who do not have an interest in music, you should have clear goals for your music career.
To apply for this scholarship there are certain requirements you have to meet, you have to be black, your GPA should be competitive, and you to be attending or have already been accepted at an approved post-secondary institution, it does not matter if you are a graduate or not.
You have to be majoring or minoring in music, there is a scholarship application form you are mandated to submit, then as a person who has a passion for the art of music, you have to submit a five-minute video that talks about your journey in music and also state your musical goals.
You can decide not to make a video but still, you have to write a thousand-five hundred-word essay summarizing your journey in the music industry and also describing your goals in the music industry while in college and outside college, July 30 (fall award); November 30 (spring award) is the deadline to apply for this scholarship.
Scholarship value: $5,000.
CAAPA Scholarships
This scholarship is for African American students who are in high school students who are interested in taking up a music program, they have been organizing the scholarship for over ten years now, and they have also provided a division for high school juniors, music is an art you can master if you apply for this scholarship.
After being awarded this scholarship you will be able to attend any of the following musical camps to achieve your dreams in the music industry, these campuses include:
- George Mason summer band camp (Jun 19-23)
- George Mason Summer Orchestra Camp (26-30)
- George Mason Summer Piano Camp (Aug 7-11)
- George Mason Summer Musical Theatre Camp (Jul 24-28)
If you are awarded this scholarship you will also be allowed to perform at one of the CAAPA’s gala events, in which hundreds of people are in attendance is that not magnificent? this scholarship is Competition-based.
Scholarship value: 1st place award – $1000, 2nd place award – $750, 3rd place award – $500.
The Black Music Therapy Network
The name of this scholarship clearly states that it is an opportunity for students who are and also lack the funds to get a formal education in the field of music therapy, the application material needed to apply for this scholarship includes:
- Unofficial transcripts or official letter of acceptance with declared intent to enroll in the black music therapy network
- Online application form (Link: https://forms.gle/m1q9e5asRpMLqKy76)
To apply for this scholarship you must demonstrate financial need because this is a need-based scholarship for students who are of African descent and racially positioned as Black Submit a completed application form, and you also have to be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an approved music therapy program, and completing a music therapy internship.
Scholarship value: $1500.
Your Future is Now Scholarship Program
Your Future is Now scholarship program is one of the nicest music scholarships for black students who are interested in exploring and also starting a career in the music industry, this scholarship was established in 2021, and this scholarship is offered by the Recording Academy, this academy collaborated with Amazon Music.
This scholarship will expose you to an immersive rotational program with Amazon Music and Recording Academy department leads and other perks like meeting professionals in the music industry, you have to be a student of HBCU to be eligible for this scholarship.
You have to be a citizen of the United States, as long as you are a student of an HBCU who is studying for a degree in music and business administration you will be able to submit a current and complete grade transcript, a personal statement, a creative video showcasing your creativity, and one online recommendation which is a must.
Scholarship value: $10,000.
CBC Spouses Performing Arts Scholarship
The CBC is one the last but not the least scholarships for black students on my list, this scholarship is offered to not just black students who are interested in pursuing a degree in performing arts which includes marching bands, music, dance, opera, and other music ensembles.
To apply for this scholarship you should be a citizen of the United States or have a legal permanent resident, you should have a minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, this scholarship can be your gateway to pursuing your dreams in the music industry, there are other requirements you have to meet before you apply for this scholarship.
- Complete 2-part online application must be submitted by March 31, 2024, 11:59 pm EST.
- Video Response: Personal Statement (not to exceed 3 minutes)
- Provide a video of sample work not to exceed 2 minutes (must upload on YouTube platform)
- 2 Letters of recommendations
- Transcript(s) – must be uploaded directly into Academic Works (application portal)
- Resume listing work experience, extracurricular activities, honors, community service, and special skills
- A recent professional photograph suitable for publication (ie. A graduation or other professional quality photograph in which the dress is formal)
Scholarship value: $5,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are frequently asked questions about the music scholarships for black students.
Are there Music Scholarship Opportunities for Black Students
Yes, there are music scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support and encourage black students to pursue musical education.
These scholarships aim to address underrepresentation and provide financial assistance to talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.
It’s important to note that scholarship availability may vary by region, institution, and organization, so it’s advisable to explore multiple sources.
Here are some potential avenues to find music scholarships for black students:
Colleges and Universities
Private foundations and Organizations
Music associations
Diversity and Inclusion programs
Community Foundation
Online scholarship database.
What is the Hardest Type of Scholarship to Get as a Black Student?
A full-ride scholarship is the unicorn of scholarships.
It’s estimated that fewer than 20,000 students per year will manage to get one of these scholarships—that’s less than 1 percent of the students who will enroll in college.
Conclusion
In conclusion, music scholarships for black students can be a vital tool in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the music industry.
These scholarships not only provide financial support to students who may otherwise not have the means to pursue their passion for music but also serve as a means to promote cultural representation and diversity within the industry.
By investing in music scholarships for black students, we can help create a more equitable and inclusive music industry that celebrates the diversity of talent and perspectives.
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