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 

Music Graduate Employee Openings

Graduate Employee Application

A number of graduate employee (GE) positions are available on a competitive basis. GEs are awarded for one academic year at a time. 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. 

GE positions are awarded in the following areas: 

  • Athletic Bands
  • Bassoon
  • Cello (includes Graduate String Quartet and other positions)
  • Clarinet
  • Composition
  • Conducting: Choral; Orchestral; Wind Ensemble
  • Double Bass
  • Flute
  • Horn
  • Intermedia Music Technology
  • Jazz Studies
  • Music Education
  • Musicology/Ethnomusicology
  • Music Theory (Qualifying Exam Required)
  • Oboe
  • Percussion
  • Piano (includes collaborative piano, piano pedagogy and opera accompanist positions)
  • Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Trumpet
  • Tuba/Euphonium
  • Viola (includes Graduate String Quartet and other positions)
  • Violin (includes Graduate String Quartet and other positions)
  • Voice

NOTE: not all positions are available every year.  

For more information about GE Requirements click here. 

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 and Diversity Excellence 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.   

Students are encouraged to apply for work-study status. 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 webpages. 

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.