Student plays guitar on stage to celebrate a night of jazz at Belmont University

Auditions & Scholarships

College of Music & Performing Arts

CMPA Scholarships

The College of Music and Performing Arts awards undergraduate and graduate scholarships based on the incoming student’s audition or portfolio submission (this is separate from any academic merit or need-based aid that the University awards to undergraduate students). These performance-based scholarships are awarded to incoming majors who demonstrate exceptional performance skills. Students may have a College of Music and Performing Arts scholarship in addition to their merit or need-based aid from the University. 

School of Music: Music scholarships are awarded across the full range of music majors and principals and divided equally among the voice, keyboard and instrumental departments. 

Undergraduate Scholarships

Students are automatically considered for CMPA performance-based scholarships when they audition or submit a portfolio submission. Students who are awarded a scholarship will be sent an award letter in their BU4U account only if they’ve received a departmental scholarship.  

Overall Scholarship Deadline for Fall 2026: Feb. 22, 2026 

Notification of Scholarship: Those who audition via video and apply for Early Action 1 by Nov. 1, 2025, will receive a scholarship decision in December 2025. Those auditioning after Nov. 1, 2025, will receive their scholarship decision in March 2026. 

The CMPA typically awards scholarships to approximately 25% to 30% of entering students. The scholarships are renewable each year for up to four years of study provided the recipient remains enrolled as a full-time major and maintains a 3.0 overall grade point average each semester. 

Information about need-based or merit scholarships can be found on the Student Financial Services page.

College of Music & Performing Arts Dean's Scholar Award

The College of Music & Performing Arts awards a unique scholarship to a select number of standout students, along with special opportunities designed to enrich your experience — like mentorship, hands-on projects, or access to exclusive events within your area of study. 

Students are automatically considered for CMPA performance-based scholarships when they audition or submit a portfolio submission. Students who are awarded a scholarship will be sent an award letter in their BU4U account only if they’ve received a departmental scholarship. 

Graduate Scholarships

All applicants to the graduate program are automatically considered for School of Music Graduate Scholarships. 

If you receive a School of Music scholarship, you will receive a letter from the School of Music to sign by May 1. The School of Music typically awards music scholarships to approximately 25% to 30% of entering students. The scholarships are renewable each year for up to two years of study provided the recipient remains enrolled as a full-time graduate student and maintains a 3.0 overall grade point average each semester. 

Contact Us

College of Music and Performing Arts

1900 Belmont Boulevard
Nashville, TN 37212

School of Music:  615.460.6408

Department of Theatre & Dance: 615.460.5503

CMPA Admissions: 615.460.8116