The Music Institute of Chicago is committed to serving a diverse community of learners. To that end, MIC annually subsidizes tuition for students whose financial resources are limited.

Application Process

  • The qualification criteria for need-based financial aid relate solely to financial need, not to ability or talent.
  • A separate and distinct Merit Scholarship Program offers assistance to students who demonstrate extraordinary musical ability. Auditions are held in May for the following school year. For more information about Merit Scholarships, please contact Emily Abraham, the Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs.
  • Applications for financial aid are reviewed in the order received on a rolling basis throughout the year. The priority deadline for the 2025-2026 academic year is June 1, 2025. Please apply online. After this deadline, awards may be limited due to demand and budget constraints.
  • Those who wish to apply for financial aid for Spring/Summer 2024 must submit the 2024 Financial Aid Application. If you wish to apply for financial aid for Fall 2025, please use the 2025 Financial Aid Application. Please include a signed copy of the most recent federal tax return or other proof of income. If you do not wish to submit your tax documents online, please mail them to: Music Institute of Chicago, Attn; Billing Department, 622 Davis Street, 4th Floor, Evanston, IL 60201. There is no fee charged when applying for financial aid.
  • Need-based financial aid awards are determined using a sliding scale. All who qualify are expected to pay the remaining portion of their tuition prior to the first lesson or to submit their request for the installment plan in advance of the first lesson. The payment plan does not automatically apply to the next semester.
  • Financial aid applications are valid for the academic school year (September-August). For summer financial aid, applicants must request continuation of aid from the Enrollment Administrator, Kaleigh Dent. (kdent@musicinst.org) Due to financial aid budget limitations, summer awards are offered at a reduced rate.
  • If a student cancels or does not begin instruction, financial aid is forfeited and the student must re-apply.
  • Adult students who are claimed as a dependent on someone else's tax return must submit the other tax return as well.

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Criteria for Determining Awards

  • Family income demonstrated by most recent tax return, paycheck stub, or other proof of income
  • Number of people in the applicant's household
  • Special circumstances such as illness, loss of job, pending divorce, business loss, etc.

Information Regarding Awards

  • Awards may be applied to private instruction, group classes, or ensembles. If a student is enrolled in multiple offerings, aid will be applied to the most expensive lesson or class.
  • Students age 18 and under must be registered for weekly lessons to qualify for financial aid for private instruction.
  • Adults applying for financial aid to be applied to private instruction must be registered for at least 8 lessons per semester to qualify for financial aid.
  • Standard lesson lengths at the Music Institute are 30, 45, or 60 minutes. Additional aid for increases in lesson length or additional supporting classes such as musicianship, chamber music, large ensembles, etc. (unless that is all the student is enrolled in) will be reviewed following approval by the private instructor/Campus Director and based on the availability of funds.
  • The maximum aid a family may receive for the academic year is $6,000.

Expectations of Financial Aid Recipients

  • Regular attendance at lessons. After three unexcused absences, financial aid may be rescinded and will not be renewed for the following semester.
  • Commitment to musical studies as demonstrated by the following: evidence of consistent practice, bringing music to all lessons and/or classes, participation in recitals and concerts, and cooperation with the instructor.
  • Timely payment of tuition. The balance due after financial aid has been applied is the recipient’s responsibility to pay prior to the first lesson or in accordance with the installment plan.
  • If requested by the Music Institute of Chicago, students (youth and adults) must participate in at least one MIC community performance, such as fundraising, outreach, or special events.
  • Participation by parents or adult students as volunteers in at least one fundraising or recruitment event for the Music Institute of Chicago.

Fulfillment of these expectations will be tracked and failure to meet any of these expectations may result in current and/or future aid being rescinded.