Scholarships, Assistantships, & Financial Aid
Scholarships
All undergraduate students who complete an Audition and both the Baylor University and the School of Music applications are considered for Music Merit Scholarships and Baylor University Scholarships.
- Outstanding applicants pursuing a music degree that will enroll as full-time students may be recommended for music scholarships based on their performance ability and the programmatic needs of the School of Music.
We HIGHLY recommend completing both the FAFSA and CSS Profile .
Financial Aid
To be considered for all possible scholarship and financial aid opportunities, undergraduates must complete both the FAFSA and CSS Profile. You may complete them before you get accepted or audition (the earlier you complete these applications, the better). We recommend completing before February 1 for those wanting to begin school in the Fall.
- Fill out FAFSA (Baylor school code = 003545): Incoming freshmen and transfer students can apply for financial aid including loans, grants, and scholarships for the upcoming academic year as soon as possible beginning October 1 at fafsa.gov.
- Fill out CSS Profile (Baylor school code = 6032): To be considered for any Baylor need-based financial aid, incoming freshman and transfer students should complete the CSS Profile beginning October 1 at cssprofile.collegeboard.org.
- Student Financial Services
- Student Employment
Baylor University maintains a student financial aid program including scholarships, grants, on-campus employment, and loans totaling approximately $60 million dollars annually. 92% of Baylor students receive financial aid.
Assistantships
Selection of Graduate Associates (graduate assistantships) is highly competitive and offered in a variety of fields. Applicants in Church Music, Collaborative Piano, Composition, Conducting, Instrumental Performance, Musicology, Music Theory, Organ Performance, Piano Performance, Piano Pedagogy, and Vocal Performance will be considered for Graduate Associate positions.
Graduate Associate positions are awarded to begin in the Fall semester, so if a Graduate Associate position is needed to be able to study in the graduate music program at Baylor, please apply to begin in the Fall semester. There are no new awards available for those wanting to begin graduate study during the Spring semester.
Graduate Associate positions include a full tuition scholarship for all required graduate coursework plus a stipend for working twelve hours per week in the School of Music.
To be considered for a Graduate Associate position students must:
- Apply to, be accepted, and be admitted to the School of Music
- Apply to, be accepted, and be admitted to the Graduate School
- Submit a C.V. or résumé as part of their Graduate School application materials
- The music faculty recommends that you include any teaching and/or applicable work experience on your C.V. or résumé.
Graduate Associate positions are awarded based on the recommendation of the faculty in the student's major area. Decisions typically begin to be made about April 1 (March 15 for Conducting positions) and may take up to two months to complete. Candidates will be notified of their status as soon as possible after this has been determined.
Students who are awarded Graduate Associate positions will be asked to sign and return a contract. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies of the School of Music will make the official notice of Graduate Associate awards in writing. Any discussion of Graduate Associate awards or assignments prior to that notice, or by any other persons, shall be considered preliminary and unofficial.
Graduate Associate positions are typically awarded one year at a time. For new students, the expectation is that the contract will be renewed for a second year. This renewal depends principally upon the student maintaining good overall academic standing, making adequate progress in the degree major, and performing the assigned duties satisfactorily.
The duties of Graduate Associates will vary depending upon the requirements of the area in which the position is awarded. Responsibilities may include classroom or private teaching of non-majors, tutoring, classroom or general assistance for faculty, accompanying, grading, staffing labs, office or recording studio work, etc.
In addition to Graduate Associate positions, a limited number of Graduate Tuition Awards may be available to highly qualified candidates in areas without an open assistantship position. Graduate Tuition Awards include a full tuition scholarship for all required graduate coursework, yet do not include a stipend or work duties. Graduate Tuition Awards are typically granted one year at a time. For new students, the expectation is that the scholarship will be renewed for a second year. This renewal depends principally upon the student maintaining good overall academic standing and making adequate progress in the degree major.
Students must maintain a Grade Point Average of at least 3.0 to retain graduate assistantships or scholarships awarded through the Graduate School. Only students with full graduate standing may be considered for assistantships. A student on probation is not entitled to apply for assistance or to continue receiving any financial aid awarded prior to the deficiency.
For information on the Council of Graduate Schools' Resolution regarding deadlines for acceptance of financial offers by Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants, see the following link: https://cgsnet.org/april-15-resolution.
Financial Aid
To be considered for all possible scholarship and financial aid opportunities, U.S. citizen graduate students must complete the following application. You may complete it before you get accepted or audition (the earlier you complete this application, the better). We recommend completing before February 1 for those wanting to begin school in the Fall.
- We HIGHLY recommend U.S. citizens complete the FAFSA (Baylor school code = 003545): Incoming graduate students can apply for financial aid including loans, grants, and scholarships for the upcoming academic year. FAFSA applications do not open until late December or early January. Fill out at fafsa.gov.
- Student Financial Services
- Student Employment
Baylor University maintains a student financial aid program including scholarships, grants, on-campus employment, and loans totaling approximately $60 million dollars annually. 92% of Baylor students receive financial aid.
The School of Music is committed to ensuring that students have a clear and accessible way to request additional financial consideration. The scholarship appeal process allows students to share new information that may affect their ability to enroll or continue their studies.
How to Submit an Appeal
All students—prospective and returning—will use this online appeal form.
To be considered, students must also ensure that all required university financial aid documents (such as the FAFSA or CSS Profile) are on file with One Stop.
Appeal Windows
Prospective Students
- Appeal Window: March 23 – April 24, 2026
Returning Students
- The appeal window opens when financial aid packages are released (typically early summer).
- The deadline is one week after the first bill due date.
What to Expect
- All appeals are reviewed by the School of Music Scholarship Committee.
- Students will be notified within a week once a decision has been made.
Need Help?
If you have questions about whether an appeal is appropriate for your situation, or how to prepare your request, you are encouraged to contact the Assistant Dean for Enrollment and Student Success at music_admissions@baylor.edu.