Online Music Scholarships

Berklee has partnered with a growing list of celebrities to reward and assist our most promising online undergraduate-level certificate students with achieving their dream of a life in music. These celebrities all support music education through their work, and Berklee is proud to be associated with them.

The student recipients of each Celebrity Online Scholarship will receive an award of $1,545 to be used towards the tuition of an individual undergraduate-level course, or a course in an undergraduate-level certificate program.

A total of 16 scholarships will be awarded to Berklee Online undergraduate-level certificate students per term.

Celebrity Sponsors

  • Gloria Estefan
    Gloria Estefan
  • Herbie Hancock
    Herbie Hancock
  • Steve Vai
    Steve Vai
  • Cris Williamson
    Cris Williamson
  • Phil Ramone
    Phil Ramone
  • Glen Ballard
    Glen Ballard
  • Paul Simon
    Paul Simon
  • Mark Mothersbaugh
    Mark Mothersbaugh
  • Alf Clausen
    Alf Clausen
  • Michel Camilo
    Michel Camilo
  • Patty Larkin
    Patty Larkin
  • Paul Schmeling
    Paul Schmeling
  • Ed Cherney
    Ed Cherney
  • Gary Burton
    Gary Burton
  • Juan Luis Guerra
    Juan Luis Guerra
  • Matt Marvuglio
    Matt Marvuglio

Which Online Students Can Apply?

Non-degree undergraduate level students who have taken one or more for-credit courses with us can apply this course credit towards an undergraduate Certificate Program and immediately be considered for the Celebrity Online Scholarship if you meet the other core scholarship requirements. The process of applying course credit to a certificate program is easy, and our academic advisors would be happy to walk you through the details.

What if I'm a Degree Student?

The online music scholarship is not applicable toward courses taken as part of an undergraduate, or graduate degree program, and may only be applied by non-degree undergraduate students to an individual undergraduate course, or a course in an undergraduate certificate program. Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts degree program may be eligible to apply for our Berklee Online Undergraduate Degree Scholarship for students nearing graduation.

Scholarship Q&A

  • When can I apply?

    Eligible certificate program students can apply for the scholarship during weeks 1 - 5 of a given term.

  • How and where do I apply?

    If you are qualified, the "Apply" button will appear above in the "Eligibility Summary." Be sure to email your instructor for a recommendation, and if you have any questions: advisors@online.berklee.edu, or by phone at 1.866.BERKLEE (U.S) / 1.617.747.2146.

  • Can I apply for scholarships as an entering student (never taken classes before)?

    No. In order to be eligible for a Berklee Online Celebrity Scholarship, you must have successfully completed at least one course in an undergraduate Berklee Online Certificate Program.

  • Can I apply for the scholarship more than once?

    Yes. Eligible students who have not already been awarded a Berklee Online Celebrity Scholarship can apply more than once.

  • When do faculty make their nominations?

    Berklee Online faculty nominates eligible students from within the class list during weeks 6 - 7 of a given term.

  • How do I know my GPA?

    You can find your GPA by clicking on the "My Academic Record" link from your Berklee Online My Home page.

  • How do I contact my current instructor?

    You can send an email or a private message from within the communication tools in your current online course(s).

  • If I paid in full for my program, what happens to my scholarship?

    You can use the scholarship towards tuition for an undergraduate-level course outside of your program.

  • How can I contact past instructors?

    Instructor contact information is provided on the class list of your past course(s).

  • If I win, how will I find out? Can I apply to win a scholarship again?

    We will notify the students who are awarded these scholarships before the end of the current term. You will be notified by email if you are awarded the scholarship. One win per online student is the limit.

  • If I receive a scholarship, do I have to use the funds the following term?

    The scholarship does not expire, so you can use it towards any future term.

  • Is the scholarship only applied to one term?

    The scholarship can either be applied to one term or, if a credit balance remains, it can be applied to additional terms.

  • How do I know if I was nominated by my instructor? Do I have to ask them, or will I receive a notification?

    You will not be notified as to whether or not you were nominated by your instructor.