Graduate Funding

The School of Music offers a variety of financial assistance to help support graduate education, in the form of fellowships, assistantships, scholarships, and internships available to talented and academically qualified students. For more information on funding opportunities in a specific studio or area, please contact Music Admission. 

How to Apply

The School of Music application serves as the application for graduate assistantships, scholarships, and internships. 

When to Apply

All application materials must be received and completed by March 1. In addition, graduate students who receive School of Music funding must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Our school code is 003509.

Graduate Assistantships 

Graduate Assistantships cover tuition up to 9 credit hours, apart from any fees, and provide a stipend ($6,000 for MM, $7,000 for DMA/PhD) per academic year. Recipients are required to commit 20 hours of service per week during the Fall and Spring Semesters and to perform at the Spring Commencement ceremony. The assignment will be based upon the needs of the School of Music, and may include responsibilities in music performance, teaching, or administrative support. This award is renewable for up to three years based on job performance and satisfactory progress toward the degree. This is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable college-level teaching experience while still having the guidance and mentorship of the faculty. 

Graduate Scholarships 

Graduate scholarships are awarded to students who perform in assigned ensembles ranging from 5-10 hours per week depending on the award. Non-resident students will receive a waiver to cover the non-resident tuition surcharge, up to 9 credit hours. These awards allow students to focus their attention on performing or teaching while maintaining the flexibility to pursue opportunities outside the School of Music. 

Graduate Internships

Graduate interns are hired to assist with the daily operations of the School of Music. These positions are available to graduate students who are not awarded an Assistantship and are selected based on prior experience and interests. Students work between 5-20 hours per week each spring and fall semester. Non-resident students will receive a waiver to cover the non-resident tuition surcharge, up to 9 credit hours. Students in these positions enjoy the convenience of having a part-time job in the same location where they practice, perform and study. 

Memphis Fellowship Program  

The Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (MSO) have joined to create the Memphis Fellowship Program (MFP), a prestigious performance fellowship program for exceptional string players. The program provides a one to two year learning experience for up to four graduate and post-graduate violin, viola, and cello players coming from African-American and Latinx communities that are historically underrepresented in classical music. Contact Music Admission for more informaiton. 

Online M.M. Music Education Scholarships 

Funding is available periodically to students who are NOT receiving a graduate assistantship (GA) and who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence. In addition to this application, requirements include unofficial transcripts, endorsement from a School of Music faculty member, and a written essay. Selections are made based on financial need (50%) and academic merit (50%). Graduate scholarship funding is fluid from one year to the next; therefore, recipients are not guaranteed future funding in subsequent years of their degree programs. Awards appear as credits on recipients' student accounts; cash awards are not possible. Apply >