Fellowships and Financial Assistance

The AMFS provides $3.6 million in financial assistance each summer, with nearly 85% of the student body receiving some form of aid and the majority receiving full support through a fellowship. AMFS financial assistance is classified as either fellowship or scholarship. 

Fellowships

All applicants are automatically considered for fellowship consideration through the standard application process. Fellowship awards cover tuition, room, and board in School housing, or the option to receive a housing stipend to be used toward off-campus living expenses. Fellows are responsible for the health service, facility, and refundable security deposit fees, as well as their own travel. 

Full fellowship programs include:

• Aspen Conducting Academy
• Aspen Contemporary Ensemble
• Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS
• Collaborative Piano 
• Susan and Ford Schumann Center for Composition Studies

Fellowships are also awarded in the following programs: 

• Orchestra/Instrumental 
• Solo Piano 
• Classical Guitar 
• American Brass Quintet Seminar @Aspen 

Scholarships 

Applicants may request to be considered for scholarship consideration at the time of applying. Scholarships are need and merit-based and can be awarded up to the full cost of attendance. To be considered for scholarship, applicants MUST complete the Financial Aid form at the time of applying. Applicants who do not complete the Financial Aid form will be considered for fellowship only. If a fellowship is not awarded and a Financial Aid form has not been completed, the admitted student will be responsible for the full cost of attendance.

We strongly encourage all applicants to complete the Financial Aid form to be considered for ALL forms of assistance.

• Financial assistance is not available to orchestra students attending for Half Session
• Financial assistance is available to Solo Piano students attending for Half Session. 

Increasing Access 

Our financial assistance packages include a number of Increasing Access scholarships and fellowships designed to support students from underrepresented or marginalized communities. Click here to learn about the AMFS’s commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access.

All applicants will be considered for Increasing Access awards based on the demographic information and affiliations reported within the application. See below for eligibility details for our Increasing Access awards:

• Allen & Kelli Questrom Foundation Scholarship – for Hispanic, Latino/a, Black or African American students from the United States  
• America-Israel Cultural Foundation Scholarship – for an Israeli student of highest honor with the AICF 
• Douglas Howard Percussion Fellowship – for Hispanic/Latino/a, Indigenous, Black or African American students 
• James DePreist Scholarship for Students with Disabilities - for Students with Disabilities
• Jean Wood Preston Scholarship – for international student(s) 
• Joan W. Harris Scholarship for Minority Students – for Black or African American students 
• Katcher Family Scholarship – New World Symphony – for an Hispanic, Latino/a, Black or African American student in the New World Symphony youth program 
• Merle Chambers Fellowships Fund for Minority Students – for Hispanic/Latino/a, Indigenous, Black or African American students 
• Sue and Leonard Miller Scholarships for Black or African American Students – for Black or African American Students  
• Susie and Barry Schub Endowed Scholarship Fund – for a minority student from the United States  
• Talent and Inclusion Scholarship Fund – for Black and Latino/a students
• The Deanna J. Anderson Life & Legacy Percussion Fellowship – for an exceptional female percussion student 
• Vincent Wilkinson Foundation Scholarship – for Hispanic, Latino/a, Black or African American students 
• William Randolph Hearst Scholarship for Minority Musicians – for Hispanic, Latino/a, Black or African American students from the United States 

WATCH Bryant Welters (below, left), director of the Vincent Wilkinson Foundation, speak with Aaron Dworkin (below, right) of Arts Engines about the financial support that the Wilkinson Foundation provides to students who attend the Aspen Music Festival and School. 

CLICK HERE to view a complete list of all AMFS Scholarships and Fellowships 

Contact Us

If you have questions about applying for fellowships or financial assistance, please contact studentservices@aspenmusic.org.

If you are interested in creating a scholarship or fellowship at the AMFS, please contact Austin Stewart, AMFS Vice President for Advancement, at 970 205 5060 or astewart@aspenmusic.org.