Student Handbook
Scholarships For Music Majors
Scholarship Information
Students may audition for a music scholarship only once. Normally, the audition for admission also serves as the scholarship audition. Any exception to this norm should be requested prior to the audition.
Music Scholarships are administered by the Department of Music Scholarship Committee in cooperation with the department chair,senior secretary, and Office of Financial Aid. This committee is comprised of the chair of the department; representatives from the wind, keyboard, and voice faculty; and the directors of the major ensembles. Questions concerning music scholarships should be directed to the Chair of the Department of Music.
Awards are subject to review and revision each semester based upon verification of a student’s need, talent, eligibility, academic achievement, and progress toward a degree. All awards are made in accordance with the conditions printed in the scholarship contract and Department of Music Student Handbook.
Scholarships awarded by the Department of Music are renewable throughout the tenure of a music student’s full-time undergraduate enrollment providing the student maintains the minimum requirements as outlined in the agreement:
The maximum number of semesters for majors entering as freshmen is nine (9) and five (5) semesters for transfer students at the junior level.
The maximum number of semesters for music scholarships for non-majors is eight (8) for incoming freshmen and four (4) for junior transfers. Exceptions to the semester limitation may be requested by writing to the department chair, who will submit the request to the Department of Music Scholarship Committee.
During the teaching internship, which is the last semester for a candidate for the Bachelor of Music Education degree, the music education major may receive a scholarship provided the maximum number of semesters for renewal has not been reached, or he may request an extension.
For non-music majors, a scholarship will not be awarded during a teaching internship (student teaching) in a discipline/area outside of music. This may be waived if the intern is able to fully participate in an appropriate campus ensemble while an intern in the area.
Non-majors may also make a request to the scholarship committee for an additional semester of scholarship, except for a teaching internship semester.
Continued Eligibility
The Department of Music reviews all scholarship recipients each semester to determine continued eligibility. Continued eligibility is contingent upon meeting the following requirements:
- The student must maintain enrollment as a full-time music major (12 semester hours).
- The student is expected to follow the Suggested Class Schedule as outlined in the Music Maps.
- The student must maintain an overall DSU grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. Non-music majors must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0.
- The student must be enrolled in the appropriate major ensemble(s) each semester and earn a grade of A or B. Continued enrollment and performance as an exemplary member of each organization and performing ensemble is an invariable condition of the contract.
Scholarship Probation and Cancellation
If a student’s Overall DSU GPA falls below the minimum of 2.5 in any semester, the student will be granted a one semester probationary period to raise it to 2.5 or higher. The scholarship will remain in effect during the probationary period. However, failure to raise the GPA during the probationary semester to the required minimum will result in permanent loss of music scholarships. Students will be allowed only one semester of scholarship probation during their academic career.
Failure to comply with all of the provisions of the scholarship agreement can result in cancellation of the financial aid award. When a student’s scholarship has been cancelled, the student could have all or part of the scholarship reinstated after a period of time has passed. Reinstatement is possible only if funds are available, if the student meets the minimum scholarship requirements such as overall DSU GPA, and if the scholarship committee agrees the student has made progress.
Students will be notified in writing of any action taken regarding probation, loss, or reinstatement of a scholarship.
Scholarship students should consult with their applied teacher and ensemble director before accepting any outside engagements. No outside engagements or activities shall conflict with any scheduled performances of the Department of Music.
Change of Major
The Scholarship Contract for a student who elects to change their major mid-semester may be cancelled unless the student maintains satisfactory standing in lessons and ensembles. The scholarship award may be changed for the following semester at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.
Withdrawal from the University
Students who withdraw from Delta State University are subject to applicable institutional refund policies found in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
In accepting the offer of financial aid from Delta State University, it is understood that there is a mutual commitment on the part of the student and the institution. Therefore, after May 1 of the calendar year of the student first enters Delta State as a student, he/she will not consider any other offer from an institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music for the following academic year, except with the express written consent of the Chair of the Department of Music.
Code of Conduct
The Department of Music reserves the right to withdraw scholarship support for conduct inconsistent with the goals of the music program, including non-academic issues and problems.
Piano Majors
Freshmen keyboard majors and keyboard scholarship recipients are required to spend 30 hours per semester in collaborative piano and/or chamber ensemble activities which include studio accompanying, rehearsing, and practicing assigned ensemble repertoire. Sophomore, junior and senior keyboard majors and keyboard scholarship recipients are required to spend a minimum of 45 hours per semester in these collaborative activities.
