Louisiana Tech University

School of Music

Financial Aid

School of Music Financial Aid

The School of Music offers a wide variety of scholarships. Scholarships are merit-based on talent (as assessed by audition) or given for participation in one of our ensembles. While many of the scholarships are available to students of any major involved in the music program, others require students to be music majors, maintain a particular GPA, or meet other requirements. Scholarships are usually awarded in the prior spring for the following year, but some assistance might still be available for students who join an ensemble later in the year.

School of Music scholarships, fee waivers, and housing waivers are all forms of financial aid; as such, they are calculated as part of your total award package. Federal (and many state) financial aid programs prohibit students from receiving financial aid that exceeds their estimated cost of attendance, so your financial need (based on your FAFSA) may be recalculated based on any financial aid you are awarded by the School of Music. This, in turn, may lead to an adjustment of any need-based financial aid you may receive. Students and parents with any concerns about tax liability related to School of Music financial aid awards should speak with a reliable source outside of the university who is familiar with the tax laws in their state and with their particular financial situation.

Learn more about tuition, fees, and the cost of attending Louisiana Tech

Scholarships in the School of Music require students to be a music major OR participate in a particular ensemble (or both).

Most scholarships have additional requirements, such as a minimum GPA, audition or recital requirement, classification requirement, full-time status, etc.

Becoming a student in the School of Music is a two-step process:

You must be admitted to Louisiana Tech University.
Students pursuing a major or minor in Music must audition; students wishing to pursue a major or minor in Music Industry Studies must submit an application portfolio.

Most ensembles in the School of Music require an audition [University Concert Choir (MUEN 231/431) does not require an audition]; however, students DO NOT need to be a music major in order to be eligible for most ensemble service awards.

Louisiana Tech University Admissions

Audition/Portfolio Requirements for Degrees and Ensembles in the School of Music

Important Information for Transfer Students

In accordance with the Code of Ethics of our accrediting body (the National Association of Schools of Music, or NASM), if you are transferring to the Louisiana Tech School of Music from another NASM-accredited institution and you (1) were a music major at your previous institution, (2) you were receiving merit-based financial aid at your previous institution (such as a talent/performance scholarship), and (3) you plan to continue as a music major at Louisiana Tech, you be released from your scholarship obligations at current institution before you can be considered for a scholarship in the Louisiana Tech School of Music. Most schools will be able to provide you with a letter or will have a form for you to use indicating that you are released from these obligations and can entertain a scholarship offer from Louisiana Tech. If not, you can use the form found at this link. No awarding of financial aid will be made without this documentation.

To verify that a good-faith attempt was made to abide by the NASM Code of Ethics, all transfer students must complete this form before any talent-based scholarships can be awarded.

Available Financial Aid Opportunities

Students can find and apply for scholarships available to music majors, music minors, and to students participating in music ensembles by visiting:

latech.academicworks.com

There, you will also find a complete list of requirements for the scholarships below and other grants and scholarships available to Louisiana Tech University students.

- Click on each scholarship below to see its requirements-

Talent-Based Scholarships (for Music Majors/Minors)

Instrumental Music Major Award (Winds or Percussion)

Award Amount: $200 - $1,000/quarter, based on proficiency demonstrated at audition

Must study a wind or percussion instrument as principle instrument
Must register and maintain status as a Music Major in the College of Liberal Arts pursuing coursework as advised
Must be enrolled in an instrumental ensemble at the time of the award and satisfactorily participate in all required rehearsals, performances, special events, and service opportunities as assigned/required
Must earn at least 24 credits in an academic year
2.0 GPA (quarterly and cumulatively)

Performing Arts Scholarship

Award Amount: $1,200.00, dispensed as $400 per quarter. This is a four-year scholarship.

Must study voice or piano as a principal instrument
Students must be seeking a degree in Performance, Liberal Arts Music Performance, or Music Education (in piano or voice)
Must register and maintain status as a Music Major in the College of Liberal Arts pursuing coursework as advised
Must earn at least 24 credits in an academic year
Must maintain a 3.0 GPA

Vocal/Choral Talent Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Must be registered for one of the choirs in the School of Music (MUEN 231/ 431 or MUEN 232/432) and satisfactorily participate in all required rehearsals, performances, special events, and service opportunities as assigned/required.
Must be registered for applied voice lessons (MUPV 131, 231A/B, or 431 A/B).
Must register and maintain status as a Music Major in the College of Liberal Arts pursuing coursework as advised
Must earn at least 24 credits in an academic year
2.0 GPA (quarterly and cumulatively)

Service-Based Scholarships

The following scholarships are available to all music students that participate in our ensembles, regardless of their major (unless otherwise noted):

Athletic Bands Service Award

Award Amount: Varies

Must be enrolled in University Marching Band (MUEN 271/471) at time of the award
Must participate in required rehearsals and performance events
Awarded for participation in both Band of Pride and Hoop Troop, including all marching band commitments each fall (band camp, home football games, bowl games, parades, etc.), and a minimum of five (5) basketball game performances.
Award amount is based on level of participation and years of service:
- 1st Year Marcher: $700/yr. ($400 fall + $300 winter)
- 2nd Year Marcher: $800/yr. ($450 fall + 350 winter)
- 3rd Year Marcher: $900/yr. ($500 fall + $400 winter)
- 4th Year Marcher: $1050/yr. ($600 fall + $450 winter)*
  *renewable for up to 2 years

Auxiliary Percussion Service Award

Award Amount: Standard award + $50 each quarter and Hoop Troop commitment waived

Must be enrolled in University Marching Band (MUEN 271/471) at time of the award and a member of the percussion auxiliary
Must participate in required rehearsals and performance events
Commitment does include summer voluntary sessions, extra days before full camp, and required Monday & Wednesday sectionals

Band Staff Award

Award Amount: Varies

Must be enrolled in Band (MUEN 271/471 or MUEN 273/473) at time of the award

Color Guard Service Award

Award Amount: Standard award + $50 each quarter and Hoop Troop commitment waived

Must be enrolled in University Marching Band (MUEN 271/471) at time of the award and a member of the color guard
Must participate in required rehearsals and performance events
Commitment does include summer voluntary sessions, extra days before full camp, and required Wednesday sectionals

Jazz Ensemble Service Award

Award Amount: $100 per quarter (+ $50 for placement in Jazz Ensemble I - by audition before the first day of classes each fall)

Must be enrolled in a Jazz Ensemble (MUEN 275/475) at time of award
Must participate in required rehearsals and performance events

Out-of-State Fee Waiver

Award Amount: Varies

Must participate in a music ensemble to receive the fee waiver
Waives a student’s out-of-state fees

Symphonic Wind Ensemble Service Award

Award Amount: $200 per quarter (+ extra for high-demand instruments)

Must be enrolled in Symphonic Wind Ensemble (MUEN 273/473) at time of the award, based on the results of your audition
Must participate in required rehearsals and performance events

University Concert Band Service Award

Award Amount: $100 per quarter (+ extra for high-demand instruments)

Must be enrolled in University Concert Band (MUEN 274/474) at time of the award - no audition required
Must participate in required rehearsals and performance events

Major-Based Scholarships

Dorm Fee Waiver - Performing Arts

Award Amount: Varies, but equals the annual fee for a regular dorm room

Must be a major in the School of Music (or Theatre)
Must earn at least 24 credits in an academic year
2.0 GPA
The amount must go towards on-campus housing

Named/Endowed Scholarships

Anna Prothro Endowed Classical Music Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Chosen by the School of Music Scholarship Committee and awarded to one student for one academic year, disbursed quarterly. May be awarded to the same student more than once.
Must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a degree in music
Preference for student studying classical music and/or planning to pursue a career with an emphasis in classical music
Minimum 3.85 GP in all official college courses
Financial need should not be a factor; rather, the determining factors should be the most academically qualified, the most musically talented, and the most interested in classical music

Ben Laney Memorial Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Music Major with concentration in Vocal Performance
2.75 GPA in music curriculum
3.25 GPA in applied area
Must continue as full-time student for one year after award
Previous winners may not re-apply

Evans Band Endowed Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Female member of Tau Beta Sigma who participates in band program (with flexibility to possibly award to non-members)

James E. Smith Band Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Active in Band program for 2 years prior to award
2.75 GPA

Kathryn H. Bryan Family Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Major in the Division of Performing Arts
Demonstrated financial need; used to pay tuition and fees
Must register as full-time student during the quarter they receive scholarship

LaVerne E. Irvine Endowed Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Music Major
≥ 60 credit hours
3.0 GPA
Demonstrated financial need

Mabel Anne Walker Harper Piano Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Performing Arts Major
2.75 GPA
Must be active in the Piano program

Merritt Performing Arts Endowed Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

≥ 30 credit hours
2.75 GPA
Active in the Performing Arts
Demonstrated financial need

Presser Foundation Scholarship

Award Amount: approximately $4,000.00 awarded at the end of the junior year or at the start for the senior year

Selected by the music faculty, the Award recipient should show a high level of academic and musical accomplishment, and embody the qualities of leadership and citizenship.
The year the student receives the award they will be known as the Presser Scholar.

Simoneaux Memorial Scholarship Endowment

Award Amount: Varies

Music Major with Guitar as principal instrument
Demonstrated financial need

Sue Holder Endowed Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Ruston Area Music Teachers Association selects a piano major to receive this award.

Virginia Thompson Women’s Department Club Music Scholarship

Award Amount: Varies

Music Major in voice, piano, or strings
Student must have a 2.5 GPA in music and a 3.25 GPA in their applied area
Must be enrolled as a full-time student and must continue as a full-time student the year of the award
Student must submit an application that includes a letter of recommendation and a copy of their unofficial transcript.
Winner must present a recital during the year of their award

If you would like to make a contribution to one of the endowments listed above, or if you are considering the establishment of a named endowment of your own, please contact:

Rosilynn Gillum, Director of Development for the College of Liberal Arts

Louisiana Tech University, P.O. Box 3183, Ruston, LA 71272-3183

Office Phone: (318) 257-2296 | rgillum@latechalumni.org

Continuing Scholarships & Scholarship Renewals

Unless otherwise indicated, most scholarships in the School of Music are considered “continuing scholarships” and will be renewed as long as the student receiving the scholarship continues to make satisfactory progress toward their degree and/or fulfills all other obligations/requirements associated with the scholarship. “Satisfactory progress” includes:

- maintaining the minimum GPA requirements as required
- maintaining full-time status (at least 8 credits per quarter or 24 credits per year)
- completing music coursework as advised and in a timely manner

For undergraduate students, talent-based scholarships in the School of Music are available for a maximum of four years (with a fifth year allowable upon approval).

Students who do not meet the required minimum grade point average for a particular scholarship during a given quarter will be placed on scholarship probation and will need to raise their GPA by the end of the following quarter (excluding the summer quarter) to continue their scholarship. Students who do not meet major and residency requirements, course registration requirements, or the stated obligations or other requirements of their scholarship will lose their scholarship automatically.

Students who lose their scholarship may petition in writing to be able to re-audition or re-apply for their scholarship once they raise their GPA for an adequate amount of time, switch their major back to Music, or re-enroll in the required courses; in other words, the re-institution of a scholarship is not necessarily automatic once a student resumes meeting the scholarship’s requirements.

Students who take a leave of absence from the School of Music and the university for one (1) quarter (excluding summer) can put their School of Music scholarships on hold and can resume their financial aid once they return the following quarter. Students taking a leave of absence for two (2) or more quarters will need to re-apply/re-audition for their scholarships upon their return; because the availability of scholarship funds varies from year to year, and because these funds may already be reallocated and awarded to another deserving student, no guarantee can be made that such a student will receive funding at the same level as when they took their leave.

Please see the School of Music's Financial Aid Handbook for complete policies and procedures and the most up-to-date information.

Student Employment

The School of Music periodically offers employment opportunities for students eligible for the Federal College Work-Study Program and others looking for an on-campus job. Available job openings will be advertised around campus when they become available; students do not necessarily need to be a music majors for many of these positions. Other positions require specialized musical skills and can only be held by music students. More information about student employment at Louisiana Tech can be found here:

https://www.latech.edu/current-students/financial-aid/types-of-assistance/student-employment/

School of Music Website

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