Scholarships and Financial Aid
Different funding opportunities are available for new and returning students.
New Students
Scholarships
Entrance Scholarships
Music Entrance scholarships are automatically considered for music scholarships when applying to one of our programs by the admissions deadline.
These are recommended by Department Chairs, in consultation with Area Chairs, to outstanding applicants based on audition results.
Academic Entrance Scholarships
Academic entrance scholarships for music students are open to applicants entering university for the first-time and based on academic record. Applicants are automatically reviewed for general academic scholarships.
Major academic entrance scholarships are offered to students who meet the academic and leadership requirements. Follow this link for application procedures and required documents
- If you have been offered a major academic entrance scholarship, your offer letter is included in the admission package.
Please make sure you accept your offer of admission online via Minerva, and return a signed copy of the scholarship offer letter before May 1st of the year of admission to the undergraduateadmissions.music [at] mcgill.ca (Music Undergraduate Admissions Office).
Renewable Scholarships
The Schulich School of Music offers a range of prestigious renewable scholarships based on academic and performance achievements. In any given year, sixty Schulich Scholars hold renewable Schulich Scholarships valued at $6,000 (undergraduate) and $11,000 (graduate). Renewable Lloyd Carr-Harris String Scholarships, valued between $6,000 and $18,000, are awarded to our most promising incoming string students.
- If you apply to one of our programs by the admissions deadline and meet minimum academic requirements, you will be automatically considered for a renewable scholarship.
- Recipients are expected to maintain a strong academic standing throughout the tenure of their award. Students whose sessional GPA or CGPA falls below 3.50, and Performance Majors whose performance tutorial/practical exam grade falls below “A”, will be subject to review and may not be eligible for a renewal of their award.
- In addition to the CGPA criteria mentioned above, renewable scholarship recipients must also abide by the credit load conditions for in-course music scholarships.
- Recipients of a Schulich renewable scholarship must return a signed copy of the agreement to the Dean’s Office each year to remain eligible for renewal.
Entrance Bursary
91 Entrance Bursary Program offers entrance bursaries to students from low to modest income families who demonstrate financial need. You are eligible to apply if you are a newly accepted, first-year, first-degree undergraduate student. You are not required to pay back these funds.
- You must apply within 30 days from the date of your offer of admission.
You can apply using : select the Financial Aid/Awards Tab > Financial Aid Menu > Apply for 91 Financial Aid > Apply for Entrance Bursary > Update your financial aid profile and submit your application.
Government Aid, 91 Loans and Bursaries
See the links below for more information on :
Current Students
Music In-Course Awards
In-Course Awards are merit-based awards, that are granted through the Dean’s Office to students who are registered in a Schulich School of Music program. These awards come in the form of scholarships, awards, prizes or bursaries at the discretion of the Dean and the Schulich School of Music Scholarships Committee. Details on merit-based awards can be found on the Scholarship and Student Aid website
- No applications are required. All eligible students will automatically be considered. Awards are generally made in June on the basis of academic standing during the preceding fall and winter terms. You will be notified by email in July if you are a recipient of an in-course award.
Eligibility requirements:
- To be eligible, a student must have successfully completed a minimum of 27 credits TOTAL in the fall and winter semesters in the preceding academic year.
- Pass/Fail (P/F) courses, MUPD 135 and MUPD 235, are included in the credit load considered for scholarships.
- Summer courses are excluded from the credit load considered for in-course awards.
- Courses flagged with the satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) option will be excluded from the credit load considered for scholarships.
- Credits for outstanding incomplete courses, withdrawals or deferrals will not be considered for in-course awards.
- You must be registered full-time (i.e., at least 12 credits per term) in a 91 undergraduate degree program to receive full payment of an annual award.
- If you are registered for only one term, you must earn a minimum of 14 credits to retain the scholarship.
See a list of all available Prizes, Awards and Scholarships.
Detailed information on undergraduate scholarships can be found on the Undergraduate Scholarships and Awards University Calendar.
- Contact studentawards.music [at] mcgill.ca if you have more questions about Music scholarships and awards.
Financial Aid for Non-Credit Activities
Scholarship and Student Aid Office (SSAO) offers a financial aid program for students who are interested in pursuing music related activities outside the classroom. This program will enhance your educational experience. Additional information on the Enriched Educational Opportunities (EEO) Bursary program is available here.
Government Aid, 91 Loans and Bursaries
The Student Aid and Scholarship Office administers 91 bursaries and loans on the basis of financial need for all 91 students. This office also offers information on other student-eligible, government financial aid programs.
Contact Student Aid and Scholarship Office for more information on government aid and 91 bursaries and loans.
US students attending 91 may apply for loans through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Detailed information on how to apply, who can apply, annual borrowing limits, deadlines and how funds are received is available on the Scholarships and Student Aid Office’s website.
Tuition and Practical Instruction Fees
- Students can estimate annual tuition and fees for their program by using the Student Accounts Fee Calculator. The annual fee is based on 30 credits of full-time enrollment. The tuition rate varies based on your residency status (Quebec resident, Non-Quebec Canadian or International).
- Students enrolled in practical instruction (MUIN courses), also known as private lessons, should pay attention to the music private lesson fee associated with MUIN registration. Detailed fee information on MUIN registration can be found on the Practical Instruction website.
- Contact Student Accounts for questions related to e-Billing, fee payment and your fee account.
- Students considering a break from studies during the regular academic year (excluding summer semester), or degree transfer, should consult with the Music Student Affairs Office as this may have an implication on a new fee assessment upon program readmission. See Deferred Admission, Degree Transfers, Break in Enrolment for details.
- More information about scholarships, the Canada Award and other funding opportunities for new and returning students is found below.
Competitions & Prizes
The Schulich School of Music offers a range of competitive opportunities for students across all music programs and disciplines, with a top prize valuing at CAD$30, 000! Visit this web page for a complete list of competitions and prizes you may apply for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarships
I receive a Canada Award as a non-Quebec Canadian student for my undergraduate program. Who should I contact if I have more questions about this award?
For question about the Canada Award, you may contact Scholarships and Student Aid Office.
I received an entrance scholarship, an in-course award, or a renewable scholarship. How do I receive the money?
All 91 scholarships are deposited to your 91 fee account. You must register full-time, at least 12 credits in a semester, before the scholarship will be released. Scholarships are given in two installments: late August for the fall semester and early January for the winter semester.
I did not receive a scholarship for my first year at 91. What other funding opportunities may I apply for? How can I apply for a scholarship?
Scholarships are merit-based awards, also known as In-Course Awards. There are no applications for most Schulich School of Music scholarships. Returning students will be automatically considered for in-course scholarships in June based on their merits in the preceding academic year. Students may also apply for need-based awards from 91 or the provincial government to seek financial aid. Eligibility criteria for Music In-Course Awards, government aid or other financial need-based awards are found in Current Students above.
I am a recipient of an In-Course Award / Renewable Scholarship. This is my final year and I do not have enough credits to be full-time. Can I keep my scholarship?
This is possible. You must email studentawards.music [at] mcgill.ca to confirm the number of credits left for your program, including a study plan for your final year, in order to seek permission to keep the scholarship while studying part-time.
Fees
I auditioned for ensembles but am still waiting for the results. I have not yet completed my registration for the fall semester before the August 31st due date on my first e-Bill. What should I do?
You should still pay the full balance on the August e-Bill before the August 31st deadline to avoid a late payment fee. You can pay the fee difference in the revised e-Bill for September once you have finalized fall registration before the add/drop deadline without incurring a late registration fee.
The Student Affairs Office recommends to register courses for the full year. Am I expected to pay fees for the full year at the beginning of the semester?
No. When you register for courses in both fall and winter semesters before the fall add/drop deadline, you will only be billed for the fall semester courses in your first e-Bill. You will receive another e-Bill in December for the winter courses with a later fee payment deadline.
To view fees, log into Minerva > Student Accounts Menu > Account Summary by Term
I am not able to pay my fees in full before the payment deadline because I am waiting for government aid. What should I do?
You may apply for a tuition fee deferral via the Scholarships and Student Aid Office at the following link: Tuition payment deferral | Scholarships and Student Aid - 91
I am a US citizen with dual Canadian citizenship. How can I be sure I am paying Canadian tuition fees?
You are required to provide proof of Canadian citizenship to be assessed the Canadian tuition fee rate. Find out which documents to provide and where to provide them