Graduate Scholarships and Funding

Cost of attendance is the estimated cost to attend the UO for the academic year. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships provides estimates for cost of attendance information that goes beyond tuition and fees, and includes: living expenses (housing and food), books/supplies/equipment, transportation, and miscellaneous personal expenses.

Graduate Employment 

A number of graduate employee (GE) positions are available on a competitive basis. Recipients teach, perform, or assist with School of Music and Dance activities in a variety of areas. Our GE packages include a monthly salary, 9-16 credits of free tuition per quarter, and health insurance program coverage (as well as subsidized health insurance premium coverage for dependents). For more information about GEs visit the GE Orientation Webpage

How to Apply for a GE Position: 

GE positions are primarily reserved for students within their own degree program. If there is a GE opening in an area, applicants from that program will be automatically considered for the position based on their application materials, including any required auditions and interviews. Some positions are open to students outside their program and have additional application requirements. Please refer to the chart below for further details.

ge position

application process

next anticipated opening*

Athletic Bands

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or PhD in Music Education. 

Other interested applicants should reach out to Dr. Eric Wiltshire (esw@uoregon.edu) by 12/10/2024.

Fall 2025

Bassoon

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Bassoon Performance. 

Fall 2026

Cello

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Cello Performance.

Fall 2025

Clarinet

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Clarinet Performance.

Fall 2027

Composition

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or PhD in Music Composition.

Fall 2025

Conducting: Choral; Orchestral; Wind Ensemble

Automatically considered if applying for an MM in Conducting.

Choral: Fall 2025; Orchestral: Fall 2026; Wind Ensemble: Fall 2025

Double Bass

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Double Bass Performance.

Fall 2025

Flute

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Flute Performance. 

Fall 2025

Horn

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Horn Performance.

Fall 2025

Intermedia Music Technology

Automatically considered if applying for an MM in Intermedia Music Technology or PhD in Data-Driven Music Performance & Composition.

Fall 2026

Jazz Studies

Automatically considered if applying for an MM in Jazz.

Other qualified applicants should submit this application by 12/10/2024.

Fall 2025

Music Education

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or PhD in Music Education. 

Fall 2025

Musicology/Ethnomusicology

Automatically considered if applying for an MA or PhD in Musicology.

Other qualified applicants TBA

Fall 2025

Music Theory

Automatically considered if applying for an MA or PhD in Music Theory.

Other qualified applicants should complete the Preliminary Music Theory GE Application. Once completed, please email the application as a PDF to Dr. Drew Nobile (dnobile@uoregon.edu) by 12/10/2024

Fall 2025

Oboe

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Oboe Performance.

Fall 2026

Percussion

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Percussion Performance.

Fall 2026

Piano (includes collaborative piano, piano pedagogy and opera accompanist positions)

Automatically considered if applying for an MM, DMA in Piano Performance, or DMA in Collaborative Piano Performance.

Fall 2025

Saxophone

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Saxophone Performance.

Fall 2025

Trombone

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Trombone Performance.

Fall 2027

Trumpet

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Trumpet Performance.

Fall 2025

Tuba/Euphonium

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Tuba/Euphonium Performance.

Fall 2026

Viola

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Viola Performance.

Fall 2025

Violin

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Violin Performance.

Fall 2027

Voice

Automatically considered if applying for an MM or DMA in Voice Performance.

Fall 2026

*Due to potential changes in GE position availability, we strong advise contacting your relevant faculty member to inquire about potential positions in your area.

GE Requirements for Non-native Speakers of English

Non-native speakers of English who accept Graduate Employee positions must take a test evaluating their English speaking ability. One of the following tests and minimum scores will be accepted. 

  • Test of Spoken English (TSE): 50; or 
  • Internet Based (IBT) TOEFL Speaking Score: 26; or 
  • International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) - Academic Module Speaking Band Score: 7; or 
  • Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit (SPEAK): 50 (must be taken at the UO) 

Students who score below the minimum scores must attend language support classes and may be subject to limitations on the kinds of activities they may carry out as a GE. The TSE is available at many TOEFL testing sites. If a TSE score is not submitted before arriving on campus, the student must take the SPEAK test adminis­tered at the University of Oregon prior to the first term of GE position. 

For more information please review the GE English Language Policy

Non-music GE Opportunities 

There are other university GE opportunities that are open to all majors. Deadlines may vary. Visit the website of the UO Graduate School for a list of current GE openings in other UO departments. 

Music Scholarships

The School of Music and Dance has a limited number of scholarships available for graduate students. Students who complete all application requirements (including auditions for performance applicants) by the posted deadlines will be automatically considered for awards available in the intended area of study. No further application is required. 

General University Scholarships

General University of Oregon scholarships are available to graduate students. These scholarships are generated by gifts to the university, and recipients are selected by the University Scholarship Committee. Visit the UO's Scholarships for Graduate and Law Students webpage for more information. 

Grants and Loans

A variety of other financial aid programs are available. More information is available on the UO's Aid Types, and on the United States FAFSA website

Work-Study and Employment Opportunities 

Work-study programs provide part-time jobs to eligible students. Eligibility is determined by financial need. Application procedures and guidelines can be found on the UO Work-Study webpage

Student work-study may be available in the School of Music and Dance. Most job assignments are made in September and require a short interview and/or resumé. Examples of music work-study jobs include box office staff, stage crew, music librarian, communications assistant, office worker, program writer, and computer lab monitor.   

For other employment opportunities, see the UO's Career Center webpage

International Student Scholarships  

Each year, the UO awards over one million dollars in financial aid and scholarships to international students. Visit the UO Scholarships and Financial Aid for International Students webpage for more information. 

Other Scholarships

Learn about other scholarships through the UO Find Other Scholarships webpage