Penn State's Office of Student Aid provides assistance to students through a variety of programs from federal, state, and institutional funding sources. A complete description of these programs is located in the Graduate Degree Programs Bulletin and in the Overview of Graduate Funding for Prospective Students.
In all cases where a student is seeking financial assistance through the University, an admission application also should be filed. No formal action can be taken on financial aid until an offer of admission is approved. Early application for financial aid is recommended.
School of Music
Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of assistantships are awarded to outstanding candidates who are pursuing graduate music degrees. Non-degree graduate students (including certification-only) are not eligible to receive graduate assistantships or fellowships.
The Penn State School of Music Graduate Assistantship Application is in Microsoft Word. Please complete the form, save it as a pdf document, and then upload it to your online graduate school application.
School of Music assistantship awards for 2012-13 include a 10-month stipend of $14,040 for half-time, or $7,020 for quarter-time, and a grant-in-aid covering the full tuition and fees. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores from the General Test are required for consideration of assistantships and fellowships in the areas of musicology and music theory, but are not required for other music graduate degree programs. Graduate sssistantship applications can also be requested at the following address:
School of Music Graduate Admissions
The Pennsylvania State University
233 Music Building I
University Park, PA 16802-1901
Phone: 814-865-1052
Fax: 814-865-6785
Email: music-gr-adm@psu.eduGraduate School
University Graduate Fellowships
These fellowships are awarded to scholastically outstanding students by the Graduate School for the first year of study only. During the second year, fellowship students are generally awarded teaching assistantships, at a slightly reduced stipend, and are given teaching or other responsibilities. Applicants must be nominated by the academic or performance areas. Please click here for current funding information.
In order to be nominated by the School of Music for a University Graduate Fellowship for fall 2013 admission, completed applications must be received by January 10, 2013 with audition completed by February 2, 2013.
Minority Graduate Scholars Awards
These fellowships or assistantships, offered through the Graduate School, are granted to incoming students as part of the University's comprehensive educational opportunity program. Applicants must be nominated by their academic area. For more information, please contact:
Graduate School Fellowhip and Awards Office
The Pennsylvania State University
313 Kern Building
University Park, PA 16802-3303
Phone: 814-865-2514
Email: I-gs-fellowships@lists.psu.edu
Office of Student Aid
Loans
Eligibility for low-interest student loans is based on financial need in most cases. The amount of the loan will vary greatly from student to student. Long-term repayment plans are available.
Work-Study
The Federal Work-Study Program (FWSP) is based on financial need. Participants in the program are placed in jobs on the University Park campus, and work hours are scheduled subject to student availability. Work-study jobs are usually limited to twenty hours each week. For more information, please contact:
The Pennsylvania State University
314 Shields Building
University Park, PA 16802-1220
Phone: 814-865-6301