Financial Aid

UNDERGRADUATE AID | GRADUATE AID | GRADUATE REQUIREMENTS

UNDERGRADUATE FINANCIAL AID

School of Music Merit-Based Scholarships: All undergraduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships from the School of Music. These awards are made at the recommendation of faculty and are based on the applicant's audition and application. Scholarships range from several hundred dollars up to full tuition. The School of Music merit-based scholarship are applied to the cost of tutition and do not cover fees, room, or board.

University of Illinois Academic Scholarships: Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Need-based aid: contact the Office of Student Financial Aid for information, and be sure to complete the FAFSA.

GRADUATE FINANCIAL AID

All students who apply by stated deadlines are considered for merit-based awards.  Awards include Fellowships, Assistantships, and Tuition Waivers. See requirements below.

School of Music Fellowships: Fellowships are one-year renewable awards carrying a partial tuition and partial fee waiver and a stipend of $5,000 up to $12,000.

School of Music Assistantships: The School of Music typically awards Teaching and Research Assistantships.  These awards are one-year renewable awards carrying a full tuition waiver and partial fee waiver with a stipend ranging from $7,400 up to $14,800 per year.

School of Music Tuition Waivers: One-year renewable awards that include a partial tuition and fee waiver.

Non-Accompanying candidates: students may also apply for an Accompanying Assistantship.

Graduate Assistantships are available through other departments on campus and require a separate application. For a list of available positions, visit the Graduate Assistantship Clearinghouse.

Need-Based Aid: Need-based aid for domestic students (grants, loans and work-study) is administered by the Office of Student Financial Aid.  The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for consideration.

The School of Music policy on years of aid:

  • M.M. students: can be considered for up to 2 years of aid from the School of Music
  • D.M.A. / PhD students: can be considered for up to 3 years of aid from the School of Music

REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE FINANCIAL AID

  • Domestic applicants must complete the FAFSA and indicate that they are interested in Federal Work Study. A large percentage of our assistantship funding comes from the Federal Work Study program and applicants will not be considered until this has been completed. Please forward a copy of your Student Aid Report (SAR) to musicadmissions@illinois.edu.
  • International applicants must submit a recent iBT score in order to be considered for teaching or graduate assistantships. Students without an official score of 24 or higher on the spoken portion will not be considered for assistantships.