Berklee Institutional Scholarships and Grants

Berklee awards more than $60 million annually in institutional scholarships and grants to students from Berklee College of Music, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Berklee Valencia, Berklee NYC, and Berklee Online. Approximately 40 percent of entering campus students are awarded institutional aid, with an average award covering 40 percent of tuition.

Scholarships for Entering Students

All entering undergraduate and graduate students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships as part of the admissions process when applying to the College, Conservatory, and Berklee NYC. Berklee Valencia graduate applicants submit a scholarship application within their admissions application portal. Berklee College of Music students also have the opportunity to submit materials within their admissions application to have their songwriting and composition abilities considered. 

Undergraduate scholarships are awarded for up to eight total semesters of enrollment, and are automatically renewed each semester provided students are meeting the terms and conditions of their scholarship.

Institutional Need-Based Grants

Additionally, Berklee College of Music entering undergraduate domestic students who submit a CSS Profile by the posted deadlines will automatically be considered for need-based institutional grants. Because Berklee need-based funding is limited, students who demonstrate high financial need are given priority.

Entering international students are not eligible to receive institutional need-based aid, but should explore our international students financing page for other options to finance their education.

Scholarships for Continuing Students

Continuing undergraduate campus students are automatically considered for specific awards during their tenure with Berklee, such as the Thrive Scholarship and division awards. 

Thrive Scholarship

The Thrive Scholarship is an initiative designed to invest in continuing undergraduate students who have demonstrated academic achievement, demonstrated financial need, and are on track to graduate on time. 

Continuing undergraduate Boston campus students should ensure they have a CSS Profile on file to be considered for the Thrive Scholarship. Boston Conservatory domestic students should have a FAFSA on file.

Division Awards

Division awards are given to Berklee College of Music students demonstrating high academic and artistic achievement within their respective academic divisions. These relatively small awards are generally decided in the spring semester and issued based on academic division. Students who are eligible will be notified.

Berklee Online continuing students can apply for a scholarship if they've earned 90 credits towards an online degree and meet the other eligibility criteria.

Special Circumstances Appeal Grants

We recognize that due to extenuating circumstances you may experience temporary challenges affecting your financing plan. Berklee allows all campus-based students to submit a special circumstances appeal to be considered for temporary need-based institutional funding. Domestic students must have a FAFSA on file and international students must have a CSS Profile on file for their appeal to be considered.

Berklee Online students are not eligible to submit a special circumstance appeal.