During the average academic year, the Bienen School of Music awards over $7 million in merit-based assistance in the form of graduate tuition grants and work assistantships. All graduate students who demonstrate exceptional ability during the admission process are eligible for these awards. Master of Music students have the opportunity to receive partial or full tuition grants. All DMA students receive a full-tuition scholarship, stipend, and fully subsidized health insurance.
The Bienen School offers numerous graduate assistant positions designed to provide experience in a variety of areas. Positions include performance studio managers, teaching non-major lessons, faculty research assistants, accompanists, ensemble managers, seminar chamber musicians, admissions, clerical, technology, etc. Applicants to the graduate programs will provide information on interest and ability in various areas.
Northwestern University students can also take advantage of low-interest federal loans, private or alternative loans, and/or federal college work study options. To determine if you are eligible for these financial aid programs, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Many of the scholarships awarded to graduate students are made possible through the generous contributions of donors and alumni. These prestigious awards are given to graduate musicians who demonstrate the highest level of musical achievement. Awards may have additional criteria for selection not specified here.
Many of the scholarships awarded to graduate students are made possible through the generous contributions of donors and alumni. These prestigious awards are given to graduate musicians who demonstrate the highest level of musical achievement.
Alvia S. & Helen VanKirk Scholarship
Amelia A. Hoff Memorial Award
Anna Schauffler Lockwood Award
Bentley T. Handwork Scholarship
Bruce S. and Lucile T. Parkhill Award
Carlyle Anderson Fellowship in Music
Carole M. and Jerry N. Ringer Award
Charlotte and Ernest Davis Award
Charlotte M. MacDonald Scholarship
Corley Family Foundation Award
Dorothy and Carl Johnson Scholarship
Elizabeth Chinnock Scholarship
Emily Boettcher & Yule Bogue Award
Fanchen L. Campbell Scholarship
Faricy Award for Creative Music
Frederick Swann Scholarship
Grace Fox Congdon Scholarship
Helen Heim Nichols Scholarship
John P. Paynter Endowed Fellowship
John and Clara Beattie Memorial Award
Joyce Reed Cope Scholarship
Juelle S. Hinman Graduate Award
Kenneth and Helen Merrill Scholarship
Leon H. Guide Graduate Fellowship
Leslie B. Propp Scholarship
Lorene Kelly Skornia Scholarship
Marcus J. Ritchie Music Scholarship
Margaret E. Dadian Scholarship
Martha R. Steinbach Scholarship
Mr. & Mrs. R. E. Marsh Memorial Award
Paul & Nancy Morrison Graduate Award
Philip and Ruby Danielson Award
Pi Kappa Lambda Scholarship
Rev. John M. Krump Scholarship
Richard & Helen Thomas Fellowship
Russell C. Wonderlic Scholarship
Russell & Hazel Morgan Scholarship
Samuel & Elinor Thaviu Scholarship
Selwyn Goldblatt Graduate Fellowships
Thaviu/Isaak Endowed Scholarship
Walfrid Kujala Scholarship
Weber Graduate Performance Scholarship
William Harrison Barnes Scholarship
Winnetka Music Club Award
Students can find comprehensive information regarding financial aid as well as explanations of billing, student accounts, and work assistance guidelines in the Bienen School graduate financial aid handbook:
Download the 2021-22 Graduate Financial Aid Handbook