How to Apply

CLICK HERE to download the Spring 2010 registration, payment, and safety forms. The safety form is needed annually and should be given to your child's instructor at the first lesson.

• Application and payment deadline for new students: January 7, 2010.
• Application and payment deadline for returning students: January 4, 2010.

Scholarships

• General Scholarship Information
• Financial Aid
• Artistic Merit
• Discounts for Multiple Students or Classes

General Scholarship Information:

1. All financial aid is partial. Scholarship funds are extremely limited and rarely exceed 20-30% of a student's tuition fees.
2. Scholarships are awarded twice a year during the academic year only, prior to the start of each semester.
3. Partial scholarship may be awarded on the basis of financial need, artistic merit, or a combination of these two.
4. A student wishing to be considered for both types of scholarship must submit two applications, one of each type.
5. Scholarships are renewable, contingent upon satisfactory progress and/or ongoing financial need.
6. Continuing scholarship students have priority over new applicants.
7. Only U.S. citizens and Permanent Legal Residents may apply for financial aid and/or merit-based scholarships.
8. International students may apply for a merit-based scholarship but are not eligible for financial aid.
9. To be considered for financial aid, a student must have studied piano in the Young Pianists Program for at least one semester or be completing their first term in the Program. At the director's discretion, this requirement may be waived for children who complete the E 493 pedagogy practicum with distinction and wish to enroll in Young Pianists the following semester.
10. The information you provide is held in strictest confidentiality: the Scholarship Committee and the Special Programs Coordinator who serves as parent advocate are the only persons who see the financial aid application and tax forms.
11. If an artistic merit or financial aid is not awarded to an applicant or if there is a tuition balance, then that balance is due immediately.

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Financial Aid scholarship application procedure:

CLICK HERE to download the Financial Aid Application, due January 4, 2010.

Application should include the following:

1. Completed registration form and non-refundable $15.00 processing fee
2. Completed financial aid application form with a $10 non-refundable application fee per child. Application may be downloaded from link on the left menu.
3. A photocopy of the most recently signed Federal Income Tax forms and W2 forms.
   
4. A photocopy of the most recent W2s.
5. Only U.S. citizens and Permanent Legal Residents may apply for need-based partial scholarships and/or merit-based partial scholarships. Permanent Legal Residents must submit a photocopy of their Green Card with application.
6. Applications cannot be processed unless all materials are submitted with $25 (application and processing fees combined) to the address on the registration form.
7. Once the student has been informed of a decision on their scholarship request, he or she should pay the remainder of the tuition promptly.
8. Financial aid is awarded to families who have a total family income under $35,000 per year for school year programs.

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Artistic Merit scholarship application procedure:

Application deadline: January 4, 2010.
Artistic merit scholarship holders must request renewal each semester.

To apply for a scholarship based on artistic merit the student or parent/guardian should write a letter of request to:

Dr. Karen Taylor, Director, Young Pianists Program
MA 165, Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, IN 47405

or e-mail Dr. Taylor at karmtayl@indiana.edu

State the reasons why the student deserves a merit-based award. The determination of merit awards is based primarily on the following factors:

1. talent and proficiency as demonstrated in performance and lessons
2. progress and work ethic (evaluated in consultation with the principal teacher)
3. information provided in the application letter
4. successful past participation in Young Pianists or other pre-college music programs.

Be specific when writing your letter of request. Among the topics you may wish to address:

1. musical activities past and present: recitals, school or church performances, music clubs, summer music camps, etc.
2. musical achievement: honors and awards received, competitive auditions won, performances in master classes or selective events, scholarships or grants for music study.
3. any musical accomplishment you are proud of
4. additional considerations: tell us anything else you feel we should know; e.g. you may want to mention the student's feelings about music, dedication, or musical ambitions; or you may want to discuss special circumstances you would like us to take into account.

Note: Competition for merit scholarships is intense, and the budget is small. Students who are young and have not studied piano for long are unlikely to receive merit aid. Letters requesting merit scholarship awards should be concise and to the point. Renewal letters can be very brief. The director will consult with a scholarship applicant's teacher regarding lesson attendance, practice habits, general progress, etc.

If you have any questions or if your situation changes due to new financial or medical circumstances, please click on "Contact Us" in the left menu for contact information.

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Discounts for Multiple Students or Classes:

• Below are the piano lesson and theory class discounts for families with multiple children enrolled in Young Pianists.
• To request a courtesy discount, simply mark the appropriate line on the student’s registration form and adjust your check accordingly. Tuition minus any discount is normally payable in full at the time of registration.
• Courtesy discounts are offered only during the academic year and are not automatically deducted from the tuition fees.

Piano Lessons Discount:

Families with 3 or more children enrolled concurrently in the Young Pianists Program are eligible for a $130.00 courtesy discount each semester (one discount per family).

Theory Class Discount:

Families with 2 or more children in Young Pianists, with at least one of them being enrolled in a Y.P. Theory class, are eligible for a $35.00 courtesy discount per semester on theory fees (one discount per family)

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