Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid

We understand that the cost of music lessons can be a financial burden for some people/families.

Applications for Music Therapy and activities in Austin, MN are now being accepted. Students can apply and receive financial aid at any time throughout the year.

Unfortunately, financial aid funds for activities in Minneapolis, Apple Valley, Chanhassen, and Online have been depleted (except for Music Therapy). However, we are still accepting applications. Any new applications will be placed on a waitlist and considered in the order they are received. We will notify applicants as soon as additional funds become available.

Financial aid, in the form of reduced tuition, is available to qualifying students. Awards are determined on a sliding scale. View the financial aid grid.

As part of the financial aid application process, students may also opt to be considered for a financial need scholarship. In order to be considered, students must submit a letter of recommendation that speaks to their commitment to music study. Financial Need Scholarships are awarded in July of each year.

2024-2025 Financial Aid Application

Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis throughout the year.

Note to returning students: For awards to be included on the Fall Re-registration Letter, applications must be received by MacPhail by 4:30 pm on Friday, July 12, 2024.

Financial aid is available to qualifying students at MacPhail’s Twin Cities metro sites and online in the form of reduced tuition. Awards are determined on a sliding scale that considers family financial resources and the number of family members.

  • Aid is granted for the full year from fall through summer semesters
  • Reapplication is required for each new academic year
  • Being awarded financial aid does not guarantee placement

For questions regarding the financial aid program in the Twin Cities metro area or online, please contact Student Services at 612-321-0100 or via email ([email protected])

For questions regarding the financial aid program in Austin, please contact Cheryl Berglund at 507.396.6730 or via email. ([email protected])

For questions regarding Music Therapy financial aid, please contact Emma Evans-Peck 507.396.6720 or via email: [email protected])

Minnesota Afterschool Advance (MAA) helps Minnesota families who meet income requirements pay for educational afterschool programs including music lessons at MacPhail. MAA pays 75%* of the eligible education expenses for activities, up to $1,000 per child in grades K-12. This will help pay for approximately 30 half-hour lessons per year ($43 per half-hour lesson), which is the equivalent of an academic year.

How to get started:

1. Fill out this online application to determine eligibility. Please fill out a separate application for each participating student. ​

2. The application will be reviewed. You will receive an email with eligibility results.

3. If eligibility is determined, choose MacPhail Center for Music in your acceptance email’s list of current offerings. You will then fill out a questionnaire for music lesson placement.

4. Pay the required family contribution of 25%*. Then, MAA will add its 75% to the child’s account.

*Funds may be available to assist with the family’s 25% as well.

More information about After School Advance

Live in Austin, MN?

Thanks to a special partnership between MN Afterschool Advance and MacPhail Center for Music in Austin, MN, families in the Austin area can now get help paying for music lessons and instrument rental. Learn more.


Applications are now closed for 2024. Please check back in January 2025.

Minnesota Afterschool Advance logo: State of Minnesota filled in with neon green with a blue arrow pointing to the right.

Financial Need Scholarships for the 2024-25 school year have been awarded. Applications for financial need scholarships will be available in May 2025. Please note: Financial aid awards are made on an ongoing basis and can be applied for at any time. Please click on the link above to complete the Financial Aid Application.

Awarded to students with financial need, as demonstrated by review of the student or parent’s most recent Federal Income Tax forms. Awards are granted to students who demonstrate a commitment to their music studies and financial need. Awards vary in amount, and all are applied to one full academic year (fall and spring) for individual instruction. Some scholarships specify an age range and are awarded to individual instruments.

Application requirements:

  • Students who would like to be considered for Financial Need Scholarships may opt-in by checking a box on their financial aid application.
  • When submitting their application, students must also provide a letter of recommendation from a music teacher or non-family member adult who can speak to a student’s commitment to music study.
  • Students who receive financial aid awards and have submitted their letter of recommendation for the scholarship will have their letters reviewed by a committee. The committee will select students to receive the awards based on the student’s commitment to music study.
  • Financial aid awards will be applied first to a student’s tuition balance. Financial need scholarships awards will be applied second, up to the remaining balance on the tuition. Scholarships can only be applied to tuition at MacPhail. If additional funds are available, students can talk with their teacher about the possibility of adding additional lessons or extending the length of their lessons.
  • Students who receive assistance must enroll for individual instruction on the instrument specified by the scholarship for the 2024-25 MacPhail academic year (fall and spring semester) unless noted otherwise and send a thank you letter to the benefactor of the scholarship.
  • To be considered for a Financial Need Scholarship for the Fall Semester, 2024-25, please return your completed financial aid application and recommendation to [email protected] by July 15. If additional scholarships are still available after July 15, scholarships will be awarded on an ongoing basis until all scholarships have been awarded.
  • For additional information about Financial Need Scholarships please click here.

Any questions about scholarships can be directed to Soojin Lee, Student Performance Coordinator.

Scholarships

MacPhail offers scholarships for instrumental and voice study. Awards are given to students of all ages and varying amounts.

Scholarships for Students with financial need are awarded as part of the financial aid application process (see above).

The 2024-25 Scholarships Brochure (PDF) details the scholarships, amounts and application requirements.

For additional information about the scholarships and donors, please scroll down to the Scholarships and Named Funds link.

Questions: Check our Scholarship FAQ document

Need an accompanist? Complete the MacPhail Staff Accompanist Request Form

APPLY HERE: https://app.getacceptd.com/signup .

You’ll be asked to create an account. Once you do so, you can search for MacPhail and apply online.

This scholarship is open to students of all religious faiths who intend to use their music in religious practice and/or worship.

Application requirements:

  • A video recording of two performances featuring two contrasting styles of music
    This must be a recent performance, either public or private
    The combined length of the video must not exceed eight (8) minutes of music
  • A scanned PDF of the music/score for each piece performed in the audition video
  • A written essay by the student discussing the importance of music, and how that music will be used in the student’s religious practice/worship.

For composers of all ages, this scholarship is for composition study based on the quality of original music submitted, potential as a composer, recommendation, and personal interest in music.

Application requirements:

  • A composition dossier consisting of at least two separate compositions featuring different instrumentation/ensembles
  • Audio recordings. While not required, students can submit audio recordings of their compositions
  • A written essay by the student describing their interest in the composition scholarship and what the student hopes to accomplish from composition study.

Instrument Lessons Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate a high level of artistic and musical merit in their audition. Students should have significant performance experience and the desire to be an engaged MacPhail student.  
 
Application requirements: 

  • A video recording of two performances featuring two contrasting styles of music  
  • This must be a recent performance, either public or private 
  • The combined length of the video must not exceed eight (8) minutes of music 
  • A scanned PDF of the music/score for each piece performed in the audition video 

The online application process through GetAcceptd accepts most commonly used file formats as well as video and audio formats, including MIDI files. 

Any scholarship questions can be directed to SooJin Lee, Student Performance Coordinator. 

Voice Lessons Scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate a high level of artistic and musical merit in their audition. Students should have significant performance experience and the desire to be an engaged MacPhail student.  
 
Application requirements: 

  • A video recording of two performances featuring two contrasting styles of music  
  • This must be a recent performance, either public or private 
  • The combined length of the video must not exceed eight (8) minutes of music 
  • A scanned PDF of the music/score for each piece performed in the audition video 

The online application process through GetAcceptd accepts most commonly used file formats as well as video and audio formats, including MIDI files. 

Any questions about scholarships can be directed to SooJin Lee, Student Performance Coordinator. 

Jazz Scholarships are available by audition only and are awarded to students demonstrating exceptional performance ability and considerable performance experience. 

Application requirements 

  • Student must complete the Jazz Application. Please check the box on the Jazz Application if you are interested in auditioning for a Jazz Scholarship. The application can be found on the Jazz webpage. 
  • Complete an in-person audition. See the Jazz webpage for audition requirements. 

Prelude Scholarships are available by audition only and are awarded to students demonstrating exceptional performance ability and commitment to music study. 

Application Requirements 

  • Students must complete the Prelude Application. Please check the box on the Prelude Application if you want to audition for a Prelude Scholarship. The application can be found on the Prelude page.
  • Complete an in-person audition. See the Prelude webpage for audition requirements. 

New this year, the Iverson Inspirational Merit Scholarship inspires students of any age to use their music for good in the world by helping others heal, mend, or cope while bringing joy into the lives of their listeners.

Application Information

  • Award Details:
    • One $1000 scholarship for 2024-2025
    • Can be used for MacPhail activities (lessons, classes, ensembles, and summer camps.
  • Eligibility: Students who have used or plan to use music for positive change
    • Project Examples:
      • Performing in senior or memory care facilities
      • Integrating music in health/wellness programs
      • Helping ill children through music
    • Requirements:
      • No performance audition needed
      • A clear and thorough project description required
      • Include performance dates if applicable
    • Project Timeline:
      • Projects can be from the past school year or planned for 2024-2025
    • Application:
      • Complete this online form by June 30
      • Reviewed by a selection panel
      • The scholarship recipient will be notified by email the week of July 15, 2024

Application for Iverson Inspirational Merit Scholarship

Scholarships and Named Funds

Creating and naming gift funds provides a meaningful way for donors to pay tribute to loved ones, friends and mentors, and is a source of vital support for MacPhail.

  • A minimum initial gift of $5,000 is required to create and name a current expendable fund.
  • A minimum initial gift of $25,000 is required to create and name a permanent endowed fund.

MacPhail is grateful to donors for enabling scholarships and programming now and in the years ahead. If you’re interested in exploring scholarships and named funds, please contact Christine Vander Hook or call 612.767.5309

Scholarship Support
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