With expensive instruments, private lessons, and more pursuing music can get very costly very quickly. Students hoping to make their love of music a career will have to take on the additional cost of paying for college tuition as well. Luckily for many musicians, there are many ways to get funding to pay for education. One of these is through grants which can help cover many of the costs associated with getting a higher education.

While many music grants take financial need into account a great majority will be given to students who have a particular talent at playing, writing or teaching music. Students may have to compete creatively with other students to get funding or compose an original creation to showcase their talent. Music grants can be incredibly competitive so the more students apply for, the better their chances will be of winning some measure of support.

Funding is available to students who are interested in playing a wide variety of different styles of music. Students who dream of becoming rock stars can take advantage of funding from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while those more interested in classical music will benefit from grants offered through a number of orchestras across the country. Music schools themselves also often offer grants, especially to students who show an exceptional level of talent.

Another source of funding for music students is through the federal government with the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts. Students can compete in a variety of categories for generous prizes that can help take a hefty chunk off of college tuition. Additionally, students may be able to find a number of other grants through organizations, magazines and other musical foundations.

Music College Grant

• American Orff-Schulwerk Association Research Grant: $500 to $2,500 awarded each year to 1-2 undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate students majoring in music/education and who are members of American Orff-Schulwerk Association.
• Aaron Copland Fund for Music Recording Program
  : $2,000 to $20,000 for students who need assistance recording their music.
• American Society for Composers, Authors, and Publishers Foundation Grant and Award Programs: Varied awards go to composers and musicians under the age of 30.
• Associated Male Choruses of America Awards: $200 to $800 to male students who are members of the AMCA.