Financing Your Education
What types of financial aid does Belmont award?
Belmont awards two types of financial aid: need-based aid and merit-based aid. Financial aid awards may be in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work study programs. About 85% of Belmont students receive some type of financial assistance.
It is possible for a music applicant to be awarded concurrently any and all types of scholarship as well as need-based financial aid.
How do I apply for need-based financial assistance?
You should submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the priority date of March 1 and designate Belmont as a recipient of your Student Aid Report (SAR). Notification of financial aid awards will be mailed beginning mid-March.
What kinds of merit-based scholarships are available?
Belmont offers two kinds of merit-based scholarships: academic-based scholarships and performance-based scholarships in the areas of music and athletics.
How do I apply for an academic merit scholarship at Belmont?
The application for admission to the university also serves as your academic merit scholarship application.
Prospective freshmen who apply by December 15 will automatically be considered for an academic scholarship, even if they do not audition until February. Academic merit scholarship awards are sent beginning in February.
Students may be considered for an academic scholarship if they have an outstanding college level record at their previous institution and demonstrate financial need. Therefore, transfer students must submit the FAFSA to be considered for academic merit scholarships.
How do I apply for a performance-based music scholarship?
All students who audition for admission to the School of Music and who are accepted as music majors are automatically considered for performance-based music scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to incoming students who demonstrate exceptional performance skills and outstanding academic achievement.
How are performance-based music scholarships distributed?
These scholarships are awarded across the full range of majors and principals and divided equally among the voice, keyboard and instrumental departments. A limited number of instrumental music scholarships are also given to non-music majors and to non-instrumental principals for participation in instrumental ensembles.
How many performance-based music scholarships does the School of Music award?
The School of Music typically awards music scholarships in amounts of $1,000- $3,000 to approximately 25 percent of entering students. The scholarships are renewable each year for up to four years of study provided the recipient remains a music major and maintains a 3.0 overall grade point average each semester.
When will I know if I have received a scholarship?
You can expect to receive notification concerning the award of performance-based music scholarships on or after March 15, after the last scholarship audition day.
If I don't receive a music scholarship as an entering student, is it possible to receive one at a later time?
Music scholarships are designed to provide funding for incoming students. Under exceptional circumstances, School of Music scholarships are awarded to continuing students based on achievement and faculty recommendations as funds are available.
