SCHOLARSHIPS

and

COURTESY DISCOUNTS

Financial aid is awarded twice a year, prior to the start of each semester.  Because our scholarship funds are extremely limited, there are no full scholarships.

 All financial assistance is partial.  

PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Partial scholarships may be awarded on the basis of financial need, artistic merit, or a combination of these two.  To be considered for a need-based scholarhsip other than courtesy discounts, 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*. 

Scholarships are renewable, contingent upon satisfactory progress and ongoing financial need.  Continuing scholarship students have priority over new applicants.  U.S. citizens and holders of a green card with the prefix “A” may apply for need-based partial scholarships and/or merit-based partial scholarships.  International students may apply for merit-based partial scholarships.  International students, however, are not eligible fora need-based scholarship.

* 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.

There is one process for applying for need-based awards, and a different process for applying for merit-based awards.  A student wishing to be considered for aid of both types must submit two applications, one of each type.

Scholarship awards rarely exceed 20-30% of a student’s tuition fees.  Scholarships are offered during the academic year only.  No financial aid is available for summer sessions.  

• Students requesting need-based financial aid consideration should submit the following by the application deadline: registration form, non-refundable $15.00 processing fee, financial aid application, supporting documentation, and a separate check for $10.00 for the non-refundable scholarship application fee.  Once the student has been informed of a decision on their scholarship reqest, he or she schould pay the remainder of the tuition promptly.

• Students paying standard tuition rate (including those claming courtesy discounts) should pay tuition in full with their registration form.

• MERIT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS:  tHE GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION OF MERIT APPLICATIONS ARE CURRENTLY UNDER REVISION.  SEND YOUR LETTER TO DR. TAYLOR BEFORE AUGUST 22, BUT CHECK WITH HER BEFORE SENDING YOUR REGISTRATION FORM AND PAYMENT.

Need-based scholarship application procedure:

          If you would like to be considered for a need-based scholarship you will need

          to submit:

1.       A completed financial aid application form with a $10 non-refundable

          application fee per child - application may be downloaded from link on

                the left.

2.       A photocopy of the most recently signed Federal Income Tax forms.

3.       A photocopy of the most recent W2s.   

4.       Student must be a US citizen or the holder of a Green Card - a photocopy of 

          the Green Card is required with application.  

          Applications cannot be processed unless the form is fully completed and    

          submitted with these required items.

          Fall 2008 semester applications for need-based financial assistance must

           arrive at Judy Anderson's office by August 15, 2008.

Artistic merit scholarship application procedure:

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 send an e-mail to 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.

          Fall 2008 semester applications for merit-based scholarship must be

          received by Dr. Taylor by August 22, 2008.

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 much merit aid, if any. 

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

• musical activities past and present
• recitals
• school or church performances
• music clubs
• summer music camps
• musical achievement
• honors and awards received
• competitive auditions won
• performances in master classes or selective events
• scholarships or grants for mustic study
• any muscal accomplishment you are proud of

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. 

Reminder:  Artistic merit scholarship holders must request renewal each semester.

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.

Be sure to submit your registration form and scholarship application in a timely manner as late materials may not receive consideration.

Application deadline for Spring 2009: January 4, 2009.

Meed-based financial aid applicants: December 20, 2008.

Merit-based scholarship applicants and regular returning students including those with courtesy discounts: January 4, 2009.

New enrollees: January 8, 2009 (at Walk-in Registration).

If you have any questions please contact:

Helena Walsh, musicsp@indiana.edu, 855-6025

or

Dr. Karen Taylor, karmtayl@indiana.edu, 336-4465

The information you provide is held in strictest confidentiality: the Scholarship Committee and the Special Programs Coordinator (Helena Walsh) who serves as parents’ advocate, are the only persons who see the application and tax forms. 

If after turning in your application, you need to amend your information (for instance, your situation changes due to new financial or medical circumstances), contact Helena Walsh for a confidential discussion, the essence of which will be transmitted to the Scholarship Committee.

Courtesy Discount

Families with three or more children enrolled in the Young Pianists are eligible for a courtesy discount on piano tuition.  All those with two siblings enrolled receive a discount on theory tuition.  To request a courtesy discount, simply mark the appropriate line on the student’s registration form and adjust your check accordingly.

Courtesy discounts are offered only during the academic year and are not automatically deducted from the tuition fees.

Piano Discount

• Families with 3 or more children enrolled concurrently in the Young Pianists Program are eligible for a $125.00 courtesy discount each semester (one discount per family). 

 Theory Discount

• Families with 2 children in the Young Pianists, at least one of whom is enrolled in a Y.P. Theory class, are eligible for a $35.00 courtesy discount each semester on theory fees (one discount per family). 

•  Financial aid and courtesy discounts cannot be taken “up front”.  Tuition—minus any scholarship or discount—is normally payable in full at the time of registration (or shortly thereafter if applying for need-based financial aid).