BU Music Scholarships 2025

Boston University’s School of Music, part of the College of Fine Arts (CFA), offers a range of merit-based scholarships for 2025-2026 to support talented undergraduate and graduate music students demonstrating exceptional artistic ability through auditions or portfolio reviews. Located in Boston, Massachusetts, BU is a private research university ranked in the 801–1000 range globally (QS World University Rankings 2025), with a vibrant music program combining conservatory-style training and research university opportunities. Scholarships include full-tuition awards for programs like the BU Opera Institute and Artist Diploma, as well as partial awards ranging from $500 to full tuition at the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI), a summer program for young musicians. These scholarships recognize excellence in performance, composition, music education, and other music disciplines, with recipients expected to contribute to BU’s musical community through ensembles and performances. Over 50 BU School of Music graduates perform with major symphonies, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic.

To be eligible for BU Music Scholarships 2025-2026, applicants must:

• Be enrolled or applying to a full-time music program at BU’s School of Music (undergraduate: BM, BA/BM; graduate: MM, PD, DMA) or the Boston University Tanglewood Institute (BUTI) for summer 2025.

• Demonstrate outstanding artistic talent through:

  • A live or video audition (via Acceptd portal) for performance, music education, or opera programs.

  • A portfolio review for composition or musicology applicants.

• Meet academic and program-specific requirements:

  • Undergraduate: High school diploma, minimum GPA of 3.0, SAT 1320–1480 or ACT 31–34 (test-optional for 2025, but strong scores enhance merit consideration).

  • Graduate: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in music or related field, minimum GPA of 3.0.

  • BUTI: Ages 14–20, enrolled in high school or early college, with strong audition performance.

• Be open to all nationalities (US citizens, permanent residents, eligible non-citizens, and international students for most awards; BUTI non-residents may face a 14% tax on scholarships).

• For specific programs:

  • BU Opera Institute: Graduate students accepted to the two-year Performance Diploma in Opera, with live or video auditions by January 10, 2025.

  • Artist Diploma: Graduate students in performance or conducting, with prescreening recordings due by December 1, 2024.

  • BUTI: Applicants to summer 2025 programs (e.g., Young Artists Programs), with auditions or portfolios due by January 10, 2025.

• For BUTI scholarships, demonstrate financial need (via Form 1040 or personal statement) for need-based awards, though merit is the primary criterion.

• Exclusions:

  • Not available for non-music programs, distance learning, or part-time study.

  • Not combinable with other BU scholarships covering full tuition (e.g., Trustee Scholarship) unless specified.

  • BUTI scholarships are not available for students applying after admissions decisions or for non-summer programs.

• Value:

  • BU School of Music:

    • Opera Institute: Full-tuition scholarship (approximately $65,760/year for 2025-26) for all accepted students.

    • Artist Diploma: Full-tuition scholarship for all accepted students.

    • Other Music Programs (BM, MM, DMA): Merit-based awards ranging from $1,000 to full tuition, depending on audition/portfolio quality and program needs.

  • BUTI: Awards range from $500 to full tuition (approximately $6,000–$8,000 for summer 2025), based on merit and financial need.

• Disbursement:

  • School of Music: Applied as tuition fee reductions each semester (Fall 2025, Spring 2026) after the census date.

  • BUTI: Applied to program fees upon enrollment in summer 2025, with notification alongside admissions decisions (March 2025).

• Duration:

  • School of Music: Renewable for the program duration (4 years for undergraduate, 1–2 years for graduate, 3–5 years for DMA), subject to academic progress and ensemble participation.

  • BUTI: Non-renewable, for the 2–6 week summer 2025 program.

• Additional Benefits:

  • Access to BU’s world-class faculty and facilities, including the George Sherman Union and Tsai Performance Center.

  • Opportunities to perform with BU ensembles (e.g., Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Choir) and at prestigious venues like Tanglewood.

  • Networking with BU’s alumni network, including Grammy, Tony, and Emmy winners.

  • BUTI recipients gain mentorship from Boston Symphony Orchestra members and perform at the Tanglewood Music Festival.

• Note: Scholarships do not cover living expenses ($15,000–$20,000/year in Boston), accommodation ($10,000–$14,000/year), or additional fees (e.g., health insurance, $2,000/year). BUTI non-resident international students may face a 14% tax on awards. Total financial aid cannot exceed tuition, and adjustments may be made if combined with external funding. Education loans via WeMakeScholars or banks (e.g., SBI, HDFC Credila) are available for remaining costs.

No separate scholarship application is required for most BU School of Music awards; BUTI requires a scholarship section in the admissions application. Follow these steps:

1. Apply to BU School of Music:

   • Undergraduate: Submit the Common Application (www.commonapp.org) by December 1, 2024, for Early Decision 1/Trustee Scholarship or January 4, 2025, for Regular Decision, with:

     • High school transcripts (minimum GPA 3.0).

     • One teacher recommendation, one counselor recommendation.

     • Copy of passport (international students).

     • English proficiency (TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 7.0, or equivalent, if applicable).

     • Audition (live or via Acceptd by January 10, 2025) or portfolio (composition/musicology).

   • Graduate: Submit the CFA graduate application (www.bu.edu/cfa/apply) by December 1, 2024, with:

     • Transcripts from all colleges/universities (minimum GPA 3.0).

     • Two letters of recommendation from music professionals/educators (via online form).

     • Personal statement (500–750 words) on career goals and BU interest.

     • Resume and repertoire list (for performance/conducting).

     • Prescreening recording (via Acceptd by December 1, 2024, for select programs) or portfolio.

     • Non-refundable $95 fee.

   • Opera Institute/Artist Diploma: Automatically considered for full-tuition scholarships upon admission; submit prescreening by December 1, 2024, and audition by January 10, 2025.

2. Apply to BUTI:

   • Submit the BUTI application (www.bu.edu/tanglewood/apply) by January 10, 2025, including:

     • Audition video or portfolio (via Acceptd).

     • Personal statement (for need-based awards).

     • Financial documentation (e.g., Form 1040 for US residents, income statement for internationals).

     • Non-refundable $75 fee.

   • Schedule live audition (preferred) or submit video by January 10, 2025.

3. Evaluation: The School of Music Scholarship Committee or BUTI faculty assesses:

   • Artistic talent (audition/portfolio quality, primary criterion).

   • Academic merit (GPA, transcripts).

   • Financial need (for BUTI need-based awards).

   • Contribution to BU/BUTI ensembles and community.

4. Notification:

   • School of Music: By late March–early April 2025, via admission letter or email.

   • BUTI: With admissions decisions, by March 31, 2025.

5. Accept and Enroll:

   • School of Music: Accept offer and register by May 1, 2025 (undergraduate) or April 15, 2025 (graduate).

   • BUTI: Confirm enrollment by April 15, 2025, and participate in summer 2025 programs.

Note: International students must hold a valid F-1 visa and be onshore by enrollment. Apply by October 2024 for visa processing (3–4 months). Contact cfa@bu.edu (School of Music) or buti@bu.edu (BUTI) for support. Audition/portfolio deadlines are strict; late submissions reduce scholarship chances.

• School of Music (Undergraduate):

  • Common Application (www.commonapp.org).

  • High school transcripts.

  • One teacher recommendation, one counselor recommendation.

  • Copy of passport (international students).

  • English proficiency (TOEFL iBT 90, IELTS 7.0, if applicable).

  • Audition video (Acceptd, by January 10, 2025) or portfolio.

• School of Music (Graduate):

  • CFA graduate application (www.bu.edu/cfa/apply).

  • College/university transcripts.

  • Two letters of recommendation (via online form).

  • Personal statement (500–750 words).

  • Resume and repertoire list (performance/conducting).

  • Prescreening recording (Acceptd, by December 1, 2024) or portfolio.

  • $95 fee.

• BUTI:

  • BUTI application (www.bu.edu/tanglewood/apply).

  • Audition video or portfolio (Acceptd, by January 10, 2025).

  • Personal statement (for need-based awards).

  • Financial documentation (e.g., Form 1040, income statement).

  • $75 fee.

• Note: Documents must be in English or with certified translations. Submit via Common App (undergraduate), CFA portal (graduate), or Acceptd (BUTI). Incomplete applications or late auditions/portfolios are ineligible for scholarships.

• School of Music:

  • Undergraduate (Trustee Scholarship): December 1, 2024 (Early Decision 1); January 4, 2025 (Regular Decision).

  • Undergraduate Audition/Portfolio: January 10, 2025 (via Acceptd).

  • Graduate Application/Prescreening: December 1, 2024.

  • Graduate Audition: January 10, 2025 (live or video).

  • Notification: Late March–early April 2025.

  • Enrollment: May 1, 2025 (undergraduate); April 15, 2025 (graduate).

• BUTI:

  • Application/Audition/Portfolio: January 10, 2025.

  • Notification: March 31, 2025.

  • Enrollment: April 15, 2025 (summer 2025 start).

• Note: Deadlines are based on 2025-26 terms (www.bu.edu/cfa, www.bu.edu/tanglewood). Verify with cfa@bu.edu or buti@bu.edu. Early application is critical for visa processing and scholarship consideration.