Thrive Scholarship: Criteria and Selection Process

The Thrive Scholarship is a Berklee initiative that is designed to invest in continuing undergraduate (degree and diploma) students at Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee* who have demonstrated academic achievement and financial need, and are on track to graduate on time. We know that students who maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA or better, consistently attempt and complete at least 15 credits each semester, and have good plans in place to manage their financial and academic requirements are more likely to graduate, and are well positioned to reach their full creative and career potential. Therefore, the goal of this program is to help alleviate some of the financial strain that continuing students face and assist them through graduation with scholarship support.

*At this time, Berklee Online and graduate students are not eligible for Thrive Scholarship consideration.

Thrive Scholarship Selection Criteria

To be considered for this scholarship, students must:

be a Berklee College of Music undergraduate student or Boston Conservatory at Berklee undergraduate student within their third, fourth, fifth, or sixth semester (semester level is determined by completed credits);
be on track to complete their program within eight semesters/four years;
maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA;
maintain a minimum 94 percent completion percentage;
not be on disciplinary action or probation; and
have demonstrated financial need (a FAFSA and/or CSS Profile must be on file; Conservatory students must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant)

Selection Process

At the conclusion of the spring semester each year, Berklee conducts a thorough and exhaustive review of all eligible students who meet the criteria above. Students who are selected to receive the scholarship will be notified via email in the early summer months. Awards are issued for the fall and spring semesters of the upcoming academic year.

Please note that it is not possible to notify students who are not selected.

Thrive Scholarship Program Conditions and Policies

Awarded students must maintain the following terms and conditions to continue to be eligible for this scholarship:*

The Thrive Scholarship is valid for undergraduate study at the Boston or Valencia campuses.
Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Students must maintain at least a 94 percent completion percentage (completed credits divided by attempted credits).
Students must enroll in a minimum of 15 credit hours per semester. (Exceptions may be requested.)
Students must meet the required number of earned credits to become a third–sixth semester student.
Students must participate in ongoing financial and academic advising, as well as relevant career planning programs, to ensure they are on track to graduate on time.
Students must demonstrate financial need based on an analysis of the submitted FAFSA and/or CSS Profile. The FAFSA must be submitted each year by May 1 to show continued financial need. The CSS Profile is only submitted one time.
Conservatory students must be eligible for the Federal Pell Grant.
Scholarships are limited for the remainder of each student's degree, not to exceed eight semesters of full-time enrollment or a total of 128 attempted credits, unless a single major officially requires more than eight semesters or 120 credits to complete (e.g., music therapy, 135 maximum attempted credits allowed or music education, 139 maximum attempted credits allowed). Attempted credits are inclusive of all transfer and articulation credits as well as credits attained by placements and exams.
Scholarships are renewable for each semester provided that the above conditions are met and recipients are in good academic and disciplinary standing.
The total amount of Berklee scholarship funding can range up to, but not exceed the cost of tuition.

*Please note that this is a selective program; scholarships are limited and dependent on available funds. Berklee reserves the right to use its discretion when determining student financial need.

FAQs

Will I lose my scholarship if I take a semester off?

No, your scholarship will be here waiting for you when you return. Skipping a semester does not count as a semester of usage, and your scholarship will automatically be renewed when you return, provided you are meeting the above terms and conditions.

Can I submit recommendations from professors for consideration?

Because the Thrive Scholarship has no application component, letters of recommendation from faculty are not necessary.

Can I use the Thrive Scholarship in the summer?

Yes. Students can use this scholarship for up to eight total semesters of enrollment or a total of 128 attempted credits. Please note, using your scholarship in summer counts as attempted credits and a semester of usage, so we recommend students enroll full-time to maximize their award.

Can I enroll part-time and receive the Thrive Scholarship?

Yes, but it will be prorated based on your course load. Students must enroll full-time for all fall and spring semesters unless they otherwise qualify for part-time enrollment.

I am in my third semester and received the Thrive Scholarship. How many semesters of it do I have?

You will have the scholarship available for your fourth through eighth semesters, provided you do not exceed a total of 128 cumulative attempted credits.

I’m a transfer student, so this is my third semester on paper, but actually it’s my first/second semester at Berklee. Can I be considered for the Thrive Scholarship?

Students who are considered sophomores, or entering at least their third semester based on total credits completed (30 or more), will be considered.

I know Thrive Scholarship consideration is an automatic process, but is there any way to increase my chances?

The best way to increase your chances is to succeed academically. Berklee conducts a thorough review of all eligible students, so you can rest assured that as long as you are meeting the criteria, you will be considered.

Can I use this scholarship to pursue a dual degree?

Technically yes, but there are some important caveats.

Students can use the Thrive scholarship for up to a maximum of 128 attempted credits. Dual degrees require more than 128 credits to complete. Your Thrive scholarship will not cover the additional credits beyond the 128 maximum.

We strongly encourage all students currently in or considering enrolling in a dual major to speak with their student success advisor to discuss their academic and financial plan.

How will students be notified if they are chosen?

Students will be notified via their Berklee email if they are chosen. The award notification will detail the award amount.

I am an international student. Can I be considered for the Thrive Scholarship?

International students are eligible, but must have a CSS Profile on file. No student without either a FAFSA or CSS Profile on file will be considered.

What will happen to my scholarship if I enroll in less than 15 credits?

The 15 credit minimum is to ensure that you are on track to complete your program of study within eight total semesters. Your scholarship amount will not change between 12 and 15 credits, but enrolling in fewer than 12 credits will result in scholarship proration according to your final registered credits for the semester.

What happens if I end up below a 3.0 CGPA and/or 94 percent completion percentage?

Students who fail to meet the Thrive Scholarship academic criteria will be allowed to use their scholarship for the next semester so they can work on improving their cumulative GPA and/or completion percentage. Students would need to meet with Academic Advising and Student Financial Services to discuss their academic and financial plan, and the Thrive Scholarship Probation Contract will need to be agreed to. Students who do not fulfill their contract in their next semester of enrollment will have their scholarship removed.