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Scholarships

UNDERGRADUATE

Undergraduate Need-Based Scholarship

This scholarship fund will assist undergraduate students with small awards for expenses related to their music education, including aid with private lesson costs for the 2024-2025 school year.

If you feel that you qualify for need-based financial assistance, you are eligible to apply for this fund. Priority is given to declared Music major & minor students demonstrating the greatest need.

The deadline to apply is Monday, January 20th, 2025. Please email <music@ucsc.edu> if you have more questions about the Need-Based Scholarship.

Winter 2025 Application

2025 – 2026 New Student Scholarship

Application

How to apply: All submissions MUST be completed by using a Google Form application.

25-26 Prospective Student Scholarship Deadline: January 20th, 2025.

The recording should contain at least two solo pieces in contrasting styles, preferably from different historical periods.

This scholarship is eligible to all students (regardless of intended major) that have applied to UCSC for the 2025-2026 year. Award offers can range anywhere from $650-$7000. Offers are made based on eligibility: admissions acceptance to UCSC, performance, interest in attending UCSC. Offers will be made after UCSC sends out their acceptance letters.

We encourage all interested students to contact the applied instructor of their instrument to introduce yourself, ask questions (teaching styles? Can we meet? Can I sit in on your lesson? What’s your teaching style? What pieces are appropriate to prepare?). Instructor emails can be found here.

Strong performers are encouraged to apply. Awards are available in categories as follows:

Admission to the program is contingent upon your official acceptance to UC Santa Cruz (information is available at – https://admissions.sa.ucsc.edu/ ).

Instrument	Description
Voice	Winners of these scholarships will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of vocal ensembles.
Woodwinds	Winners of these scholarships will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of chamber music ensembles and larger ensembles.
Brass	Winners of these scholarships will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of chamber music ensembles and larger ensembles.
Strings	Winners of these scholarships will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of chamber music ensembles and larger ensembles.
Piano, Guitar, Percussion	Winners of these scholarships will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of chamber music ensembles and larger ensembles.

Scholarship Opportunities for Continuing Music Students

The UCSC Music Department awards scholarships to continuing music students on the basis of merit. Competitions are held each May. To compete, a student must be nominated by their faculty advisor or applied instructor. For first-year students, transfer and reentering students, auditions will be held at the end of fall quarter at the time of juries to accommodate those who were not enrolled the previous spring.

For more information, please contact music@ucsc.edu

Other Resources

Campus Financial Aid – Financial Aid & Scholarships at UC Santa Cruz

Grant Opportunities for Current Music Department Undergraduates – Visit the Arts Research Institute for more information.