Graduate assistantships + scholarships

Graduate Scholarship Event

 Contact the College of Music

The Â鶹ÊÓƵ College of Music offers merit-based aid for graduate students in the forms of scholarships and teaching assistantships, including the areas listed below. All graduate applicants are automatically considered for merit-based support (e.g., College of Music scholarships and graduate Teaching Assistantships). As outlined below, some areas have specific application requirements for assistantships. Please contact the for more details.

Graduate students can apply for Colorado residency after one year. For more information, visit the Registrar’s website.

Note: For more information about financial aid at the Â鶹ÊÓƵ, visit the or email financialaid@colorado.edu.

More information

  • The College of Music offers merit based aid in the forms of scholarships and teaching assistantships in Music Theory. Teaching Assistants perform various essential duties, including teaching courses related to the undergraduate theory core and in music technology.
  • Students applying for the Theory Assistantship must fill out this online application to be considered. For information on applying for the Master of Music Theory degree, visit the Theory Application Information page.
  • An interview in person is highly recommended for those applying for a Theory Assistantship. The interview will include sight-singing, demonstration of keyboard skills (harmonic progressions, simple keyboard textures, etc.), as well as discussion of the applicant’s theory and teaching background. To schedule an interview, please email the Music Theory department chair.

Graduate Assistantships for piano performance majors and piano performance and pedagogy majors include both accompanying and teaching duties. Students interested in being considered for a graduate assistantship must complete an application (click link below).

The accompanying audition consists of a 15-minute live interview, scheduled after faculty review of completed applications and audition materials. At the interview, the applicant will present an assigned work as well as sight-reading; the assigned work will be a quick-learn piece and applicants will be informed of the piece two weeks prior to their interview date.

The teaching audition consists of a 15-minute interview with the class piano faculty coordinator, also scheduled after faculty review of completed applications and audition materials.

Applicants will be notified of their interview times as soon as they are scheduled.

Submit application by Jan. 1.

The music education area offers assistantships to qualified masters and doctoral students in music education. Assistantship awards include tuition waiver (6 credits/semester) and a stipend. Assistantship duties encompass the following responsibilities:

  • Teach undergraduate courses (Woodwind, Brass and String Techniques; Vocal Pedagogy)
  • Participate in leadership of the Middle School Ensemble and Trying on Teaching programs
  • Mentor students in field experiences and student teaching supervision
  • Coordinate field experiences
  • Assist with faculty research

Graduate students in music education may also be considered for fellowships and scholarships. View this document for more information on music education assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships. Doctoral students will be considered for the MacFerran Doctoral Fellowship in Music Education.

To receive full consideration for an award, all application materials must be submitted by December 1. Those interested in being considered for an award are highly encouraged to schedule a campus visit and must submit a teaching video. To schedule an interview, contact Music Education Chair Leila Heil.