Financial Information: School of Music: University of Minnesota

Financial Aid / Fellowship and Assistantship Information

Graduate School Fellowships

Applicants with strong academic records (GPA of 3.8 or higher and high GRE test scores) are eligible to be nominated for Graduate School Fellowships. The purpose of the Graduate School Fellowship (GSF) is to assist directly in the recruitment of outstanding students by providing the incentive of an academic-year merit fellowship. Prospective students entering the University of Minnesota Graduate School for the first time in the upcoming academic year may be nominated by the School of Music for these fellowships.

Fellowship recipients receive a stipend of approximately $21,000 for the academic year, plus full tuition. Eligible recipients are also covered by comprehensive health insurance, including subsidized dependent and dental care.

To receive fellowship consideration, the Application for Graduate Scholarship, Fellowship, and Assistantship along with GRE scores must be received by January 1.

Teaching/Research Assistantships

Every prospective student is required to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), administered through the U.S. Department of Education, to be considered for any financial assistance from the University of Minnesota. To apply online, please refer to: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

If you have questions about the FAFSA, please contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800/4-FED-AID or 319/337-5665 .

More than 100 assistantships are awarded annually to graduate music students. Assistantships are available to graduate students in the areas of theory, musicology, ethnomusicology, music education, music therapy, private lesson instruction, ensemble assistance, electronic music, and in various professional service areas.

Assistantships provide a stipend and enable students with at least a 25% appointment to pay resident tuition and receive a tuition benefit equal to twice the percentage of the appointment. For example, a 25% assistantship provides a 50% tuition reduction. The balance of any tuition due is based on the resident tuition rate. Recipients are still responsible for fees such as lesson fee, student service fee, etc. Health insurance coverage is required for each year of appointment. The amount of coverage is twice the amount of your assistantship percentage (i.e. 50% assistantship = 100% coverage, etc.). Graduate students are responsible for any remaining amount for health care insurance.

School of Music Performance Fellowships

The School of Music annually awards more than 100 graduate music fellowships on the basis of outstanding musical ability as demonstrated by your audition or continuing progress in your program. For fellowship consideration, you must audition on or before February 10, and submit three letters of recommendation addressing your musical skills, and complete the online application. Decisions will be made on or about March 15, and recipients will be notified on or about April 1.

Educational Opportunity Fellowships

Ten fellowships in the approximate amount of $15,000 plus tuition and health insurance are awarded annually by the Graduate School to first-year underrepresented graduate students. Prospective students must be nominated by the School of Music. Applicants normally have a GPA of at least 3.2 and strong GRE scores. If you wish to be considered for one of these fellowships, please complete the Application for Graduate Scholarship, Fellowship, and Assistantship.

To receive fellowship consideration, the Application for Graduate Scholarship, Fellowship, and Assistantship along with GRE scores, must be received by January 1.

Note: The Title IV code for the University of Minnesota is 003969

Waiver of Nonresident Tuition

The University of Minnesota may waive, in whole or in part, nonresident (out-of-state) tuition for high-ability nonresident, non-reciprocity students in order to provide discounts to students that the University is seeking to attract. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a minimum of 3.0 (4.0 scale) undergraduate GPA are eligible. Awards are made to new students when they enter the University and remain in effect through graduation for students who attend full-time and who maintain satisfactory academic progress. Students are encouraged to apply early to be considered for this waiver.

The School of Music may nominate applicants for these waivers. The selection criteria used by the Graduate School to evaluate nominations include: academic achievement, high academic potential, educational disadvantage, financial considerations, race and ethnicity, special talents, evidence of outstanding leadership, creativity, unique work or service experience, and community involvement.