The Music Department awards several endowed scholarships to new and returning music majors every year. To be considered for a Music Scholarship, students must complete both:
- a scholarship application in CSUSB’s Scholarship Manager Portal (in MyCoyote), including a letter of recommendation, a copy of your latest unoffical transcript, and a biographical summery (see below).
- submit a video with three contrasting works, performed on your major instrument.
CSUSB Scholarship Portal (accessed through MyCoyote)
To file an application, you will need an account in CSUSB's Scholarship Portal system. If you encounter difficulties while signing into MyCoyote, please go to the MyCoyote Help Page. Right after you sign into MyCoyote, look for the 'Apply for CSUSB Scholarship' link in the 'Student Services' box on the left side of the screen.
Note the application is a comprehensive one for all scholarships offered by CSUSB, so fully completing the application will get you considered for additional scholarships. That additional consideration may result in receiving CSUSB scholarship money you didn't expect, so fill out the application as completely as possible, even if the questions don't seem relevant to a music scholarship.
Note that the full music scholarship application process will require the following materials:
- a successful performance audition with the CSUSB Faculty, submitted via video by including video URLs in scholarship manager. Three contrasting works.
- a letter of recommendation (submitted through Scholarship Manager)
- a confirmation from your high school or most recent college counselor of your current GPA (submitted through Scholarship Manager)
- The application system will automatically contact the relevant people via email based on information you provide when you apply. The letter and confirmation will be due approximately two weeks after the application deadline, so please make sure the contact information you provide is accurate and current. After you submit your application, you should independently contact your counselor and recommender to encourage timely responses.
- a copy of your latest unofficial transcript(s)
- a biographical summary:
- Several scholarships require a biographical summary or personal statement, so students should submit this regardless of the ones for which they intend on applying. This biographical summary should address the student's academic and musical goals, as well as their professional intentions. (Students applying to the BM program may use the contents of their BM essay for the purpose of their scholarship application.)
- Some scholarships ask for an explanation of the degree of financial need and the reasons behind the need for financial support, so please include this information if relevant.
Questions?
Please contact MusicAdmissions@csusb.edu and we will be happy to assist.
Available Music Scholarships
Joseph K. Thomas Scholarship
- An applicant must be an incoming CSUSB freshman or transfer student, registered as a full-time music major.
- An applicant must enter CSUSB with a high school or previous college or university cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 or better.
- An applicant must agree to participate fully in the major performing ensemble most appropriate to their applied performance emphasis and an additional ensemble assigned by the department for each semester of the academic year for which the scholarship is awarded.
- With the scholarship application form, an applicant must submit a biographical summary including the reasons for their need for scholarship assistance.
- Applicants who meet the above criteria must demonstrate their music performance proficiency at an audition.
Arthur A. Moorefield Memorial Scholarship
- An applicant must be a full-time music major (either continuing, transfer, or incoming freshman) at CSUSB during the semester(s) for which the award is used.
- An applicant must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 or better.
- An applicant must agree to participate fully in the major performing ensemble most appropriate to their applied performance emphasis and an additional ensemble assigned by the department for each semester of the academic year for which the scholarship is awarded.
- With the scholarship application, an applicant must submit a biographical summary including the student's academic and musical goals, as well as their professional intentions. An applicant does not have to demonstrate financial need.
- Applicants who meet the above criteria must demonstrate their music performance proficiency at an audition.
Josephine Lombardo Scholarship
- Applicants must either be a new or a returning CSUSB student, registered as a full-time music major.
- An applicant must have and maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better.
- An applicant must demonstrate character, talent, and a commitment to the study of classical music, with the goal of working toward a career in classical music.
- An applicant must agree to participate fully in the major performing ensemble most appropriate to their applied performance emphasis and an additional ensemble assigned by the department for each semester of the academic year for which the scholarship is awarded.
- Preference will be given to Coachella Valley residents who are pursuing a music degree on the Palm Desert Campus.
- Financial need may be considered, but is not essential.
Music Performance Awards
- Applicants must either be a new or a returning CSUSB student, registered as a full-time music major.
- Applicants must show evidence of significant previous musical performance experience and/or potential.
- An applicant must agree to participate fully in the major performing ensemble most appropriate to their applied performance emphasis and an additional ensemble assigned by the department for each semester of the academic year for which the scholarship is awarded.
- Applicants who are new CSUSB students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 or better in all previous high school and college coursework. Applicants who are returning CSUSB students must have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better at CSUSB.
- Applicants who meet the above criteria must demonstrate their music performance proficiency at an audition prior to the application deadline. An applicant does not have to demonstrate financial need.