Graduate Scholarships and Financial Support

When you apply for admission to a graduate degree program in the Frost School of Music, you will automatically be considered for a Graduate Assistantship. Therefore, you do not need to submit a separate application for this award. Graduate Assistants many times help faculty members with teaching, thus they are commonly referred to as “teaching assistants” or, “TAs.”  All applicants are considered, including applicants who live in the United States, as well as international applicants.

These highly-competitive awards consist of a partial or full-tuition waiver, as well as a monthly stipend during the academic year (i.e., from August to May). All doctoral TAs also receive partial health insurance coverage. The maximum value of our teaching assistantships is as follows:

Full Tuition Waiver:

Assistanship Stipends:

Graduate assistantships are awarded to individuals who submit exceptionally strong applications and who have a demonstrated ability to contribute to their intended degree program. For example, some graduate assistants help faculty teach classes, or they can independently teach classes and lessons. Other graduate assistants may contribute to faculty research or assist with administrative duties. Graduate assistants who are majoring in instrumental performance (classical or jazz), also participate in the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra as part of their duties.

All applicants for graduate degree programs in instrumental performance as well as jazz performance or composition are also considered for a financial award known as a Mancini Fellow.  This award can be combined with a Graduate Assistantship, or given separately.  Mancini Fellows receive a financial award and become members of the Henry Mancini Institute (HMI) Orchestra that provides opportunities to perform and record with world-class artists of multiple genres. Mancini Fellows also gain valuable experience throughout the Frost School, for example by assisting with recording projects or playing in the repertory orchestra.

Mancini Fellows are awarded a full-tuition waiver, as well as a half-stipend during the academic year (i.e., from August to May). All doctoral Fellows also receive partial health insurance coverage. Typical award packages for Mancini Fellows are as follows:

Full Tuition Waiver:

Mancini Fellow Stipend:

Students are expected to acquire an appropriate instrument and adequate instrument insurance prior to beginning their degree program. Questions about instrument selection should be directed to studio professors. Please note that financial aid does not cover these expenses.

 Graduate Professional Financial Assistance