Music Lesson Subsidy Program

Academic Year 2008-2009 Subsidy Program:

Instrument lesson subsidies: TBD (please check back in August)
Voice lesson subsidies: TBD (please check back in August)

Contact: Stephanie Troisi, Program Associate (troisi@fas.harvard.edu)

About the Program:

The Music Lesson Subsidy Program is administered by the Office for the Arts to provide a limited number of subsidies for instrumental and vocal instruction to full-time enrolled Harvard undergraduates. It is intended for students who, without financial help, could not make a sustained commitment to taking music lessons. The program is not for beginning musicians. New applicants to the program must demonstrate a certain level of proficiency and/or potential, as evidenced by their musical activities or in a brief screening with members of the Music Department. Returning applicants who have been awarded subsidies in past academic years are not required to participate in screenings, but will have their financial aid status reviewed prior to any subsidy award determination for the new academic year.

The subsidies are matching grants covering, at most, one-half the total cost of the student's lessons. Ordinarily, the maximum subsidy is $300 per semester, but higher subsidy awards have been considered in cases where extreme financial need has been determined.*  Recipients are selected on the dual basis of financial need as determined by the University and demonstrated musical ability and/or potential. Multiple subsidies for the study of more than one instrument or for instrument and voice study are not provided.

Students schedule their lessons directly with their teachers and are responsible for handling all payments to their teachers. The OFA’s Music Teacher Reference Guide provides a listing of local music instructors who teach, have taught or are interested in teaching undergraduate students. This listing is a resource only, subsidy recipients may chose to take lessons from  other instructors. The Office for the Arts sends subsidy checks to students at the beginning of each semester. In January the office contacts teachers for an evaluation of the lessons and record of attendance. If a student has not followed through with his or her first-semester plan of study, the subsidy may be cancelled or recalculated at mid-year to reflect lesson plan changes. In such cases, the student will be expected to return any unused money to the Music Lesson Subsidy Fund. If the lesson plan has been carried out and if the renewal form is returned and indicates reasonable progress and/or commitment, the subsidy will automatically be renewed for the second semester.

The Committee on Music Lesson Subsidies make awards ONLY ONCE annually, in the fall semester. No new subsidy awards will be made during the spring semester.

* Note to Foreign Students: 14% of your subsidy will be withheld for Taxes.