Financial Aid and Scholarships
There are many kinds of financial aid available to incoming students. For detailed information, visit the Office of Scholarships and the Office of Financial Aid. In particular, undergraduate students should explore the opportunities afforded by New York State's new Excelsior Scholarship.
In addition to the financial aid offered by Brooklyn College, the Conservatory offers targeted scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships. Contact the director of the Conservatory for information about the application process and submit an application (Undergraduate Scholarship Application or Graduate Scholarship Application). Additionally, you will need to submit the Scholarship Reference Form for Undergraduate or Graduate applicants. (Two references are required.) Note that the deadline for applying for scholarships has been extended to April 15 and that applications may be filed by prospective students throughout the year.
There are also a limited number of college assistant employment opportunities available.
Scholarships are available for outstanding performers as well as to students based on need. The Conservatory also offers full and partial scholarships specifically to string, woodwind, and brass players as well as pianists with accompaniment skills. See the full list of scholarships below.
Graduate Assistantships
There are currently four graduate assistantships available:
- Assistant to the Center for Computer Music (B.C.C.C.M.)
- Composers Concerts Coordinator
- Opera Workshop Assistant
- Orchestra Assistant
Conservatory Scholarships
The Conservatory of Music of Brooklyn College offers numerous scholarships to students, both for ability and financial need.
Walter Cerf Scholarship in Music (MF #3806.1)
We are particularly pleased to announce a number of new scholarships under the Walter Cerf Scholarship in Music (MF #3806.1). The scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students majoring in music who have demonstrated potential to excel in their area of concentration and to contribute to programs of the Conservatory of Music. Recipients are gifted young musicians in the following instrument areas:
Conservatory of Music Scholarship in Double-Reed Performance (MF #4065.09)
To an outstanding, promising oboe or bassoon player of the Conservatory of Music.
Conservatory of Music Scholarship in Upper Brass Performance (MF #4065.09)
To an outstanding, promising trumpet or French horn player of the Conservatory of Music.
Conservatory of Music Scholarship in Lower Brass Performance (MF #4065.09)
To an outstanding, promising trombone or tuba player of the Conservatory of Music.
Bernard Goldberg Scholarship in Flute Performance (MF #4066.xx)
To an outstanding, promising flute player of the Conservatory of Music (fall 2013–) (Bernard Goldberg taught flute at the Conservatory for three decades, from 1982 until 2012. A student of Georges Barrère, he played principal flute for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra from 1947 until 1993.)
Named Scholarships
The following named scholarships are available for qualified music-scholarship applicants who have demonstrated exceptional abilities and financial need. Not every scholarship is awarded each year. Awards depend on availability of funds through The Brooklyn College Foundation.
Mary Margaret Catalano Scholarship (MF #4065.02)
To an outstanding student in the Conservatory of Music.
John G. Challener Scholarship in Piano (MF #4065.03)
To an outstanding student in the Conservatory of Music. (Professor Challener taught piano and accompanied the Opera Workshop for many years at Brooklyn College.)
Chancy Memorial Foundation Scholarship (MF #4065.04)
To an outstanding student in the Conservatory of Music for demonstrated achievement and potential.
Darrell Chaplin Scholarship (MF #4065.05)
To an outstanding student in the Conservatory of Music. (Darrell Chaplin was a music major/tubist in the conservatory who died before completion of his degree.)
Conservatory of Music Scholarship (MF #4065.09)
To outstanding students in the Conservatory of Music.
Conservatory of Music – Minorities Scholarship (MF #4065.1)
To an outstanding minority graduate student in the Conservatory of Music.
Warren Schuyler Dean Scholarship in Violin (MF #4065.11)
Preferably to a needy student as compared to a higher scholastic-record student with no financial challenges.
Florence English Scholarship in Music (MF #4065.12)
To outstanding students in the Conservatory of Music.
Walter W. Gerboth Scholarship in Music (MF #4065.13)
To an outstanding student in the Conservatory of Music. (Walter Gerboth was a beloved music professor at Brooklyn College who founded the Music Library that now bears his name.)
Richard Franko Goldman Scholarship in Music (MF #4065.15)
To an outstanding student in the Conservatory of Music.
Rubin Goldmark Scholarship in Music (MF #4065.16)
To an outstanding student in the Conservatory of Music.
Eleanor Kilcoyne Scholarship in Music/Dance (MF #4065.18)
To an outstanding student in the Conservatory of Music.
Abram Klotzman Memorial Scholarship (#3120)
Fund 21103120; to an outstanding student in the Conservatory of Music. (Abram Klotzman was an outstanding clarinet teacher and husband of the conservatory's first director, Professor Dorothy Klotzman.)
Gertrude Beatrice '86 & Louis Albert Leon '38 Memorial Scholarship (#3200.1)
To undergraduate students in good standing majoring in the arts or history (alternates between art, history, and music).
Siegmund Levarie Scholarship in Music (MF 4065.19)
To an outstanding student in the Conservatory of Music. (Professor Levarie was a distinguished musicologist from Vienna who taught for four decades at Brooklyn College. He was among the founding professors of the doctoral program in music at the CUNY Graduate Center.)
Liberace Foundation Scholarship (#5580)
To undergraduate piano majors in good academic standing.
Paul '51 and Betsy Mazursky Scholarship in Music (#1000.03)
To a Brooklyn College undergraduate or graduate students who demonstrate financial need and has declared their intent to pursue careers in any aspect of cinema or the performing arts. (Also given in film, theater, and cinema.)
Dorothy and Ward Mould Music Scholarship (MF #4065.21)
To an outstanding student of the Conservatory of Music.
Anne Cudmore Parks Memorial Scholarship (MF #4065.23)
To a student enrolled in the Conservatory of Music.
George Renz Scholarship in Music (MF #4065.24)
To an outstanding student of the Conservatory of Music. (George Renz was a clarinet student of the conservatory and a successful school music teacher who died suddenly before completing his master's.)
Frances R. Jellinek '56 & Hal Schaffer '56 Creative & Performing Arts Scholarship (#4700.2)
For students in the creative and performing arts (art, music, theater) in good academic condition. This scholarship shall be split evenly each year between a student in the fine arts, music, and theater.
Alexander Schneider Foundation Grant (MF #4065.29)
For the apprentice program in the Conservatory of Music.
Sheldon L. Smith Scholarship (#6610)
To a student studying instrumental music, preferably piano.
Susan and Zachary Solomon '57 Scholarship (#6772.2)
To outstanding undergraduates in economics or performing arts who have demonstrated a financial need. (GPA = 3.50; only full or half tuition is to be given).
Warner Communications Music Scholarship (MF #4065.28)
To an outstanding student who is an advanced professional musician.
