Scholarships

Berklee offers a variety of full and partial merit-based scholarships for students attending Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive, with most awards ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.

 

Scholarships for Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive

Berklee offers a range of merit-based scholarships for Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive—from $1,000–$3,000 awards to a limited number of full-tuition scholarships (housing not included). Scholarships are not available for other Summer Programs.

Two Rounds, One Smart Choice: Apply Early

We recommend applying in the Early Consideration (Workshop-Eligible) Round to unlock the most benefits—and the fastest decision.

Why Early Consideration Helps You:

  • Faster scholarship decision: Hear by April 8 (versus by May 2 in the later round).
  • Workshop eligibility: Be considered for the Jazz Workshop Scholarship and the Arif Mardin Music Fellowship—available only in the early round.
  • First funding priority: Applications received by March 1, 11:59 p.m. ET receive first consideration for funding.

Scholarship Timelines

Round

Submission Deadline

What You’re Considered For

Decision Timing

Early Consideration (Workshop-Eligible)

March 1, 11:59 p.m. ET

Aspire Scholarship (Round 1), Jazz Workshop, Arif Mardin Music Fellowship

By April 8

Final Consideration 

April 1, 11:59 p.m. ET

Aspire Scholarship (Round 2)

By May 2

Submissions received by March 1 are given first funding priority. Workshop scholarships accept submissions only in the early round.

How to Apply (3 Steps)

  1. Create an account and register for Aspire: Five-Week. (Registration is required to access the scholarship form.)
  2. Review the scholarship types and requirements below.
  3. Open the scholarship form in the Next Steps section of your berklee.edu/apply account. You may select the Aspire Scholarship and one additional workshop/fellowship (if eligible).

Available Scholarships

Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive Scholarship

  • Award: $1,000–$3,000; a limited number of full-tuition awards (housing not included).
  • Rounds: Early (March 1) and Standard (April 1).

What to Submit

  • Performance videos (2): recent, 2–3 minutes each; clear audio; contrasting tempos; accompaniment required (band or play-along without your instrument). No edits/overdubs.
  • Technical exercise (1): scales, arpeggios, études, or similar (no accompaniment).
  • Essay: up to 1,500 characters; describe your three videos plus key musical/academic achievements.
  • EDI applicants: submit an additional performance video instead of the technical exercise; show proficiency using Ableton Live and at least one controller.

Jazz Workshop Scholarship (Early round only)

Led by Grammy Award–winning drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, this workshop explores classic/modern repertoire and student originals, culminating in multiple performances. Includes full tuition, on-campus housing, and a meal plan. If not selected, you’re automatically considered for an Aspire Scholarship. Deadline: March 1, 11:59 p.m. ET.

What to submit

  • Performance videos (3): recent, 2–3 minutes; clear audio; accompaniment required; no edits/overdubs.
    • Video 1: up-tempo swing
    • Video 2: medium-tempo swing (110–130 BPM)
    • Video 3: odd-meter with an even eighth-note feel
  • Essay: up to 1,500 characters; highlight musical/academic achievements.
     

Arif Mardin Music Fellowship (Early round only)

In memory of Berklee alum Arif Mardin ’61, this fellowship supports one student of Turkish descent or nationality to attend Aspire: Five-Week. Includes full tuition, on-campus housing, and a meal plan. If not selected, you’re automatically considered for an Aspire Scholarship. Deadline: March 1, 11:59 p.m. ET.

What to submit

  • Performance videos (2): recent, 2–3 minutes; clear audio; accompaniment required; no edits/overdubs.
  • Technical exercise (1): scales, arpeggios, or similar (no accompaniment).
  • Essay: up to 1,500 characters; highlight musical/academic achievements.
     

Submission Guidelines (Quick Reference)

  • YouTube links only; home, live, or studio recordings are fine; audio clarity matters more than video quality.
  • Keep within the requested lengths and styles for each scholarship.
  • No editing or overdubbing of performance videos.
  • Accompaniment required for performance videos; play-along tracks must exclude your instrument.
  • Essays are 1,500 characters max.
  • EDI applicants follow the EDI-specific guidance noted above.
     

Policies and Contact

  • You must register for Aspire: Five-Week to be eligible to apply.
  • Scholarship awards from Berklee can’t be combined (maximum of one award per person).
  • All decisions are final.
  • There is no federal aid for this program.
  • Review the full scholarship submission policies in our Help Center, or contact summer@berklee.edu or 617-747-2245 with questions.