Financial Aid - Prospective Students
General Information
Types of Financial Aid
Financial Aid for Undergraduates
Financial Aid for Undergraduates Enrolled in Two Degree Programs
Financial Aid for Transfer Students
Financial Aid for Graduate Students
Financial Aid for International Students
Payment of Tuition and Fees
GENERAL FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
The Eastman School of Music aims to make the school as affordable as possible to as many as possible. We work with students and parents to guide them through the process of applying for scholarships and other financial aid. The awarding of financial aid, whether merit-or need-based, cannot occur until after a student has completed the admission application, the audition/interview process, and has been accepted.
We feel very strongly that students should choose a school because it offers the right education, the right teachers, and the right environment for that particular student. While there is no question that financial considerations are important, it is our experience that choosing a school based solely on the amount of money offered is a one-dimensional approach that deprives students of some of the very experiences they are seeking in a college education. All of our admissions decisions are made independently of financial aid decisions; applicants are not judged by their financial standing.
Applicants with specific questions regarding financial aid are urged to contact the Eastman Financial Aid Office .
TYPES OF FINANCIAL AID
Government funds
The Eastman Financial Aid Office manages all federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Academic Competitiveness Grant (ACG), National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant (SMART), Perkins Loans, Federal Direct Student Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, Federal Work-Study programs, and New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards (for New York State residents only).
Eastman funds
Eastman has its own merit scholarship and need-based grant programs that offer more than $5 million to undergraduates. Graduate students are awarded financial aid primarily in the form of graduate awards, but may qualify for need-based awards and loans as well. International students are eligible for merit scholarships and graduate awards. See financial aid for undergraduates for more information.
FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Merit scholarships
All accepted undergraduate students are considered for merit scholarships. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of musical and academic promise, and begin at $5,000 for each year. Once awarded, they are renewable for up to eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study (or 10 semesters in the case of dual degree students), within the stipulations that follow. Eastman does not offer grants to cover room and board.
To retain any Eastman School merit scholarship, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.0 (B) or better; must be a full-time student during each semester covered by the award; and must continue to make satisfactory progress toward completion of his or her degree, as determined by performance in an annual jury and by Eastman's Academic Progress Review each semester. An undergraduate’s merit scholarship will have a monetary reduction each semester if the CGPA falls below these expectations.
Scholarships awarded through the University of Rochester College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering (such as Bausch & Lomb Scholarships, Kodak Scholarships, and Rush Rhees Scholarships) are available only to students pursuing their studies through the College. These scholarships and grants may not be used at Eastman.
Federal need-based funds
Students who wish to be considered for Federal need-based funds (federal student grants and loans, and federal work-study) must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Consideration for need-based funds is not automatic. Undergraduate applicants must indicate on the admissions application form that they wish to be considered for need-based aid.
Eastman School need-based funds
Students become eligible for Eastman need-based aid by demonstrating financial need in the same way as required for federal programs and must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Once you have completed the verification process, your Eastman need-based aid will be credited to your tuition bill. As a student's need often varies from year to year, your Eastman need-based eligibility will be reviewed and awards will be adjusted each year accordingly. (International students who are not permanent residents of the United States are not eligible for Eastman need-based aid.) A student who continues to meet the need criteria each year may receive the grant for up to eight semesters of full-time undergraduate enrollment provided that they remain in good academic standing and maintain satisfactory progress towards their degree.
The FAFSA and the resulting SAR
- Paper copies of the FAFSA may be available from high school guidance offices. The FAFSA also may be filed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Students and parents who are submitting their FAFSA online can complete the 2009-2010 FAFSA on the Web Worksheet as a guide prior to filing. If you choose to sign your FAFSA using an electronic signature then BOTH you and your parent(s) will need a FAFSA PIN. If you or your parent(s) do not remember or do not have a PIN, please apply for or request one at www.pin.ed.gov.
- The processing of the FAFSA yields a Student Aid Report (SAR) that is sent to the applicant’s home. This is your copy; do not send it to Eastman.
- After the FAFSA is processed, an electronic copy is sent by the government directly to Eastman. NOTE: Eastman’s code for the FAFSA is 008124; using this code allows the information to be sent to Eastman.
- The FAFSA should be filed after January 1 but before mid-February, in order to have the results sent to Eastman by February 28th.
- Late filing of the FAFSA will delay the notification and availability of federal and Eastman need-based financial aid.
The processed FAFSA (SAR) provides a financial need-analysis of data submitted by the student. The student is responsible for checking the accuracy of the information submitted. Eligibility for all need-based funds is determined through Eastman’s review and verification of the data.
A Financial Aid Award Letter and other financial aid information are mailed to undergraduates with the letter of acceptance from the Admissions Office. Need-based financial aid award offers will not be made to undergraduate students until the processed FAFSA is received electronically by the Eastman Financial Aid Office. In cases where an accepted student has no processed FAFSA at Eastman, a student will receive a Financial Aid Award with the acceptance letter identifying your merit scholarship and the “missing” financial aid documents.
The financial aid “package”
An undergraduate whose financial aid package includes need-based aid will receive awards that typically includes some or all of the following:
- Eastman merit scholarship and/or Eastman need-based grants.
- Federal and/or state grants.
- Low-interest Federal Direct Student Loan eligibility.
- Federal work-study eligibility, if need is established through the FAFSA (work-study jobs are available through the Concert Office, the Sibley Music Library, Dining Services, the Student Living Center, and numerous other offices throughout the School).
- Outside grants, awards, and prizes. Applicants are expected to seek outside scholarships through music clubs, service clubs, city and state organizations, competitions, and other Internet resources, all throughout their years in college. Students are encouraged to use a national scholarship website like www.fastweb.com. All outside awards must be reported in writing to the Eastman Financial Aid Office, and may replace authorized loans and/or work-study earnings in the financial aid package. Outside scholarships are an important indication of achievement and can be listed on resumes as accomplishments.
FINANCIAL AID FOR UNDERGRADUATES ENROLLED IN TWO DEGREE PROGRAMS
Students who are enrolled in a BM degree program at Eastman and a second degree program at the College pay only one tuition to the University, and will be eligible for only one financial aid package in support of that tuition. The rate of tuition will be equal to the tuition charge at the University's River Campus (the College). Financial documents, such as the FAFSA and tax information, must be submitted to both the Eastman Financial Aid Office and to the College Financial Aid Office. The College Financial Aid Office also requires the CSS Profile and other information that can be found on their website.
FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
Transfer students are eligible for financial aid in the same ways described for all undergraduates. However, any transfer applicant who currently is enrolled in a member school of NASM (the National Association of Schools of Music, of which Eastman is a member), must include with their application the NASM release form provided on our website. This form serves as an acknowledgment from the current school that a student is applying for Eastman aid.
As a member of NASM, Eastman abides by the code of ethics by requiring the release form. No financial aid can be offered to a transfer student without a completed release form. This form is a courtesy to the applicant’s school; by signing the form, the current school acknowledges that the student may possibly transfer to another institution, and agrees not to penalize the student for considering the possibility of attending a different school should the student decide not to transfer.
FINANCIAL AID/SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
The Eastman School of Music provides financial support to its graduate students primarily through the Graduate Award Program, a merit-based system of financial aid. Through its graduate awards, the School is able to provide in-depth professional training for graduate students, and to receive valuable services in return from our graduate students. Graduate applicants who are not only highly recommended in their major, but who also are highly recommended for a graduate award, receive the most merit-based financial support from the School. The graduate awards are processed through the Graduate Studies Office.
A graduate award normally consists of a stipend (salary for the work done) and a tuition scholarship (a partial remission of tuition). A small number of awards are tuition scholarship only. Note that admission to a graduate program does not guarantee a graduate award.
Applying for a graduate award
Some view the process of applying for a graduate award as similar to a job interview. Applicants requesting graduate awards that are performance-based (for example, a stipend or fellowship awarded in return for ensemble participation) are considered on the basis of their degree program audition. Other graduate awards require preparation of specific materials, and interviews or auditions with faculty members who supervise those awards. (See the graduate award application for specifics.)
Faculty supervisors are reluctant to recommend candidates for positions of responsibility unless they have had an opportunity to meet and evaluate those candidates. Therefore, graduate applicants who cannot audition in Rochester have significantly reduced chances of receiving a graduate award. Graduate awards are assigned for the school year; because of this, there typically are few or no awards available for graduate applicants who wish to begin study in January.
All graduate applicants must complete the Application for Graduate Award; students who do not wish to be considered for an award must indicate so on the graduate award application. The form lists more than 40 work specialties. Applicants should indicate up to four areas of specialty in which they are most qualified, and provide an outline of experience in each area together with the name, address, position, and telephone number of the person who is most qualified to recommend the applicant for work in each position. (Note that some awards require the completion of an additional form, or preparation of specific materials, and some graduate awards are restricted to specific majors.) All graduate award interviews and auditions are scheduled on the same day as the applicant’s audition/interview for a degree program. After all auditions and interviews are completed, faculty supervisors make their recommendations for graduate award recipients to the associate dean of graduate studies. The graduate dean determines the final disposition of graduate awards, including fellowships and stipends, based on faculty input, the strength of the candidate’s application, and the needs of the School. Graduate students who have questions about their graduate award should contact the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at gdean@esm.rochester.edu, or contact the Graduate Studies Office at 585-274-1560.
Need-based graduate financial aid
All graduate students are considered independent for purposes of financial aid; parental data is not required. It is generally not possible for the Graduate Award Program to meet all of the financial need of graduate students. Eastman’s Office of Financial Aid helps graduate students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents to arrange for federal assistance. Such assistance includes Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Work-Study funds.
There are two steps to applying for federal aid:
1. Graduate students should complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov in order to be considered for federal assistance. Students can complete the FAFSA on the Web Worksheet as a guide prior to entering and submitting their online FAFSA.
2. Applicants also must complete the Eastman School application for need-based funding which is part of the admissions application. This form is included in the downloadable application for admission and available individually on our applications page.
Processed FAFSA data (the SAR) will be sent electronically to Eastman by the government if the Eastman School of Music's federal code (008124) has been indicated on the FAFSA application. Once this information is received in the Financial Aid Office, we are able to review the accepted applicant’s eligibility for federal aid. In order to ensure that applicants have all the financial information necessary to make a final decision regarding graduate school, applicants are encouraged to complete these steps as soon as possible prior to February 28th.
Questions on need-based financial aid for graduate students should be directed to Eastman’s Office of Financial Aid.
Financial Aid/Scholarship Information for International Students
International students are considered for merit-based financial aid using the same criteria as described earlier (for undergraduate students or for graduate students). Those students who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents are not eligible for need-based financial aid. International students may apply for private loans to help their families defray the cost of attendance. A U.S. Citizen or eligible permanent resident is required as a co-applicant.
Payment of Tuition and Fees
The University of Rochester Bursar’s Office mails tuition bills prior to the first term of study. The University offers several payment plans to undergraduates and graduates. Financial arrangements for the payment of bills must be completed by the announced deadlines or the student’s registration will be canceled. Late fees are charged when tuition/fee payments do not arrive in the Bursar’s Office by the payment plan deadline.
Questions regarding payment plans and policies may be directed to the Bursar’s Office of the University of Rochester.
| Payment Plans & Policies | Financial Aid Office |
| UR Bursar's Office | 585-274-1070 |
| 585-275-3931 | financialaid@esm.rochester.edu |