Department of Music Scholarships range from $350 to $1,750 per semester and are available to majors and minors in the keyboard, voice, and instrumental areas. They require an audition and are renewable provided that the recipient maintains a minimum course load of 12 credit hours, participates satisfactorily in the area(s) for which the scholarship is awarded, and maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

All members of the Jaguar Marching Band receive a scholarship, ranging from $750 per semester and up.  They require an audition and are renewable provided that the recipient maintains a minimum course load of 12 credit hours, participates satisfactorily in the area(s) for which the scholarship is awarded, and maintains a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

All members of the Jaguar Basketball Pep Band receive a $500 per semester scholarship.  Each September, the Jaguar Pep Band is open by audition to members of the Jaguar Marching Band.  64 students will be selected, and alternates are designated.

Laidlaw Scholarships are available to outstanding students in all areas of music study and range from $2,500 to $3,500 annually. They are intended primarily for music majors but can be awarded to non-majors. For consideration, all students must audition and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Laidlaw Scholarships are renewable provided that the recipient carries a 12 credit hour load, participates satisfactorily in the area(s) for which the scholarship was awarded, and maintains a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher. 

The Department of Music is pleased to announce the establishment of a new piano scholarship. The Sue Houston Hanlein Scholarship for Piano is a full-tuition award for an outstanding piano student at the University of South Alabama who demonstrates financial need and high academic achievement. The award can be made to a freshman student; however, if an upper level student meets the criteria set forth, such a candidate may be selected as well. 

This scholarship is named in honor of Dr. John Chester, a pianist who taught at USA in the early 1960's. Ellie Chester, his widow, and a number of friends established a fund to assist outstanding pianists. Awards range from $300 to $500 per year and are available to majors and non-majors. The recipient(s) must be enrolled in applied piano, carry a 12 credit hour load, and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. There is no application form for this scholarship, as outstanding pianists are identified by the keyboard faculty and recommended to the chair on an annual basis. 

This scholarship was established in honor of percussionist Mike Bartels, a graduate of McGill-Toolen High School and student at USA. Awards range from $250 to $550 per year and are available to majors and non-majors. The recipient(s) must be enrolled in applied percussion, participate in Percussion Ensemble, carry a 12 credit hour load, and maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. There is no application form for this scholarship, as outstanding percussionists are identified by the faculty and recommended to the chair on an annual basis. 

The Presser Scholarship is awarded by the music faculty to a rising senior music major for a period of two consecutive semesters. The criteria for the award are musicianship, scholarship, and contribution to the department. There is no application form for this scholarship, as students must be nominated by a faculty member for consideration. As the name implies, this scholarship is made available to the Department through the kind support of the Presser Foundation of Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.