Scholarships & Assistantships
MUSIC AND ENSEMBLE SCHOLARSHIPS
The School of Music has developed a significant endowment (over $2 million), most of which is designated for music scholarships. The various endowments produce expendable revenue for yearly awards which allows the School of Music to offer students an average of 90 new and continuing scholarships each year. In addition to endowment resources, the School benefits from expendable scholarship dollars from the Student Service Fees, and the Clara Freshour Nelson Scholarship Program (administered through TAMS).
Scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $5,000 per year. These awards are renewable each year as long as the student continues to meet the award requirements and submits the annual renewal application in the spring semester.
Out-of-State or international students who receive at least $1,000 annually in competitive scholarship awards are eligible for in-state tuition.
Scholarship consideration occurs during all of our published on-campus audition dates each year. Students unable to participate in the scheduled auditions due to compelling reasons may arrange for an individual audition date prior to March 15 to be considered for scholarships. All scholarship/admission auditions are heard by an audition committee consisting of at least three faculty members. Based on the results of these auditions, previous performance accomplishment(s), general musicianship, academic record (GPA), potential for success and the completion of a degree program at Texas State, the committee chair makes an award recommendation to the Director. Students must be accepted to Texas State University before School of Music scholarship awards will be offered.
Music scholarships are available for students who will begin in a fall semester. Typically scholarship funds are not available to students who enroll as a new student in a spring semester. Students who enter in a spring semester may apply for a fall music scholarship by submitting an application through an Administrative Assistant during the spring semester. Scholarship funds are awarded for fall and spring only.
Undergraduate Eligibility Criteria
Undergraduate students receiving School of Music scholarships must maintain full-time enrollment, perform with the assigned University performing ensemble(s), enroll in private lessons in their performance area, receive a grade of C or higher in all music classes (including a CR in Departmental Recital), and maintain a 3.0 Overall GPA each semester to be eligible for and to continue to receive/renew their scholarship. Grades and GPA are assessed each semester to determine continued eligibility. Students should review their scholarship contract for specific scholarship requirements.
Graduate Eligibility Criteria
Graduate students receiving School of Music scholarships must maintain status as a full-time graduate music major, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and enroll in at least 9 SCH per semester as advised by the Graduate Coordinator.
Ensemble scholarships are also available. Students must contact the appropriate ensemble director for specific requirements and application/audition deadlines. The School of Music has three ensembles that have automatic scholarships available to students who are selected based on an audition at the beginning of the semester.
Bobcat Marching Band (BMB) Scholarships
Through generous contributions from the Texas State University administration, the following scholarships will be distributed to selected members (based on audition) of the Bobcat Marching Band immediately after successful completion of the requirements of the organization and/or position:
$800 Membership Scholarship to each selected member of the BMB
$200 Leadership Scholarship to each Section Leader and Drum Major
$200 Dedication Scholarship to each BMB selected member completing his/her 3rd or higher season
Bobcat Basketball Band (B3) Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available for select members of the Bobcat Basketball Band (B3). Ensemble members are selected through audition and all participants must be registered for the class.
VocaLibre Scholarships
Through generous contributions from various areas, enrolled members of VocaLibre will receive a scholarship for their participation in this ensemble. Funds are credited to each student’s account in October (fall participation) and March (spring participation). Scholarship amounts vary depending on enrollment in the ensemble.
All School of Music and Ensemble scholarships are credited to the student’s University account after the 12th class day in the Fall and Spring semesters, once enrollment verification has occurred.
Receiving a music scholarship does not prevent a student from receiving additional scholarship or financial aid (grants, loans, and work-study awards) through the University. Visit the following websites for additional university scholarship/funding information: Financial Aid and Scholarships for undergraduates and the Graduate College for graduates.
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS
Assistantships are awarded each year in support of 30 or more qualified graduate students, who teach or provide instructional support in a variety of areas of the School of Music. Interested graduate students should consult the Graduate Studies Coordinator or the School of Music website for further information. In order to receive primary consideration, applications for assistantships should be completed by the March deadline for positions in the following fall semester.
Graduate students who are interested in being considered for an assistantship should complete a Graduate Assistantship Application (filed with the School of Music’s Director of Graduate Studies). The Graduate Studies Director and the Director of the School of Music, in consultation with faculty members in the relevant areas, will assign the graduate assistantships for the coming academic year. This process takes place in the spring semester.
Graduate Assistantships are typically limited to two years of study and the assistant must maintain a 9-hour course load during each long semester.