Music Department Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship

Criteria and Eligibility

Purpose

The purpose1 of the Music Department Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Scholarship is to:

  • Recruit and retain music students representing historically underrepresented and systemically oppressed, racialized, and marginalized communities—inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities
  • Support these students’ academic pursuits and experience
  • Help the Department of Music flourish as an inclusive artistic community

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include both prospective and returning students who are (a) accepted as music majors or minors, and (b) in good academic standing. The Music Department may verify eligibility by reviewing each student’s departmental status and academic transcripts. All eligible students may reapply each year, though preference may be given to applicants who have not yet been awarded the Music Department DEI Scholarship.

Criteria and Evaluation

Awards will be based on information provided in the application below and evaluated by an appointed committee of Music Department faculty2. Whenever possible, preference will be made to applicants who demonstrate, in descending order of priority:  

  • Acceptance into the Music major or minor
  • Evidence of active contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion in learning environments
  • Good academic standing
  • Strong performance or potential in the student’s area of concentration
  • Stated financial need

Timeline

Applications are accepted until 11:59pm on April 30, 2024.

All applicants3 will be notified of award decisions on or about May 15, 2024.

Scholarship Application Form

Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).

Personal Statement

Provide a statement (500 words maximum) detailing your story with regard to the following two items:

  • How have you shown that you embody or uphold the values of diversity, equity and inclusion? See notes below for additional discussion.4
  • Strong performance or potential in your intended area of concentration (i.e. music education, performance, composition, musicology).

Please limit your statement to 500 words or fewer.

Statement of Financial Need

Use the box below to briefly describe your financial need. Your eligibility for federal financial aid (e.g. FAFSA scores) are not considered in awarding this scholarship.

Please limit your response to 500 words or fewer.

Optional Letter(s) of Recommendation

If you feel it would be helpful, you may have professional or academic references type or attach letters of recommendation via this form (link opens in a new window or tab).

The reference may be a current or former teacher or mentor who could offer further insight into the bulleted items for the Personal Statement above.

Send the link to the person submitting the form. They will submit it directly to us.

Notes

  1. The Music Department Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship is separate from other funding opportunities, including those within the Music Department. Applying for this opportunity has no effect on and is not affected by other funding opportunities for which the applicant may have applied.

  2. The awarding committee will consist of 3-4 Music Department faculty, at least 2 of whom serve on the Music Department Scholarship Committee and at least 2 of whom serve on the Music Department Strategic Planning Committee. Writing style will have no effect on how application responses will be viewed.

  3. Depending on the amount of funding available in a given application year, the Music Department DEI Scholarship Awarding Committee may make multiple awards of varying amounts. Similarly, the committee may choose to not award any funding, should no applicant satisfactorily meet the stated awards criteria.

  4. “How have you shown that you embody or uphold the values of diversity, equity and inclusion” may include, but is not limited to:

    • Describe how you have supported diverse communities, based on your own experiences and activities you have engaged or participated in.

    • What is the work you have done to promote the values of diversity, equity and inclusion?

    • Why is diversity, equity, and inclusion important to you and how is this reflected in your musical life?

Looking for more information?

If you have any questions, we're happy to find you an answer. Call the Music Department Office 360-650-3130, or view the directory of faculty and staff.