Funding

More than 150 fellowships and assistantships are awarded annually to graduate music students. Assistantships are available to graduate students in areas including composition, conducting, music education, musicology, theory, private lesson instruction in guitar, piano, and voice, and various professional service areas.

Students receiving a minimum 25% assistantship pay resident tuition rates, receive a tuition benefit equal to twice the percentage of the appointment, receive a health insurance benefit equal to approximately twice the percentage of the appointment, and also receive a stipend that is approximately equal to half the resident tuition rate.

"When I was choosing where to study, the fellowship from the University of Minnesota played a huge role in my decision. I was very attracted to the resources of, not only the school, but also the community in the Twin Cities both financially and artistically."— Ho-Yin Kwok, conducting student

Merit-based scholarships

Graduate students are also considered for School of Music merit-based fellowships. These awards typically cover the cost of resident tuition and can include a non-resident tuition waiver for non-resident students. You are automatically eligible for consideration for these awards as long as you complete the graduate application procedures by the application deadline along with any other materials required (as part of the application process), and complete the proper audition and/or interview required by your program of interest. The School of Music aims to inform all applicants of their admission status by the second week of March.

There also are a limited number of fellowships available through the Graduate School.

Each semester, CLA grants also offer a workshop designed to assist graduate students with funding for dissertation funding and other major projects.

Fulbright Program

The purpose of the Fulbright program is to increase mutual understanding between people of the United States and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. Past University of Minnesota School of Music Fulbright Scholars include Regina Stroncek, who is researching in Brazil, and Solveig Mebust, who is researching the role of women in music activism and patronage in Norway. Learn more about the Fulbright Program.

Application Questions?  Contact the Music Admissions Office
musicapply@umn.edu | 612-624-2847