Financial Aid

• If you’re a US citizen or permanent resident, the FAFSA is required to be considered for federal and state financial aid programs.
• The CSS PROFILE is required to be considered for all institutional grant and scholarship programs. Regardless of need, we encourage you to complete these documents in order to be considered for any type of funding. DACA recipients are eligible to receive need-based financial aid at Carnegie Mellon, and are only required to submit the CSS Profile.
  
  Prospective students are encouraged to reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Admission with any questions about financial aid. Email at admission@andrew.cmu.edu or call (412)268-2082. 

Eligibility* & Requirements

• ADVANCED MUSIC STUDIES (AMS) - All Advanced Music Studies applicants to the School of Music are eligible for fellowship based on their audition/portfolio review. AMS candidates are not eligible for assistantships.

• MASTER'S (MM, MS) - All Master's applicants to the School of Music are eligible for fellowship and assistantship based on their audition/portfolio review. Assistantships are available in most areas for master's students. Students indicate interest in consideration for a graduate assistantship through the School of Music Acceptd application.

  • Graduate Assistantships include a stipend of $10,000 per year (paid biweekly during the academic year) and requires the student to work up to 10 hours per week for their assigned supervisor.

Available Assistantships

All Master's applicants will apply for assistantship consideration through the School of Music Acceptd application. Applicants will indicate interest in consideration for a graduate assistantship  where you can select up to three areas below to be considered for a GA:

• Admissions: Requires exceptional written and verbal communication skills, the ability to work independently, attention to detail and strong organization skills. Prior customer service or admission experience is helpful.
• Student Services: Requires strong computer skills and a commitment to confidential, accurate, and innovative information management.
• Marketing and Communications: Requires excellent communication skills with some experience in writing, editing and graphic design.
• Office of the Head: Requires strong computer skills, attention to detail, interpersonal and organizational skills. Prior office experience preferred.
• Preparatory School: Requires strong interpersonal, organizational and computer/database management skills.
• Operations: Requires strong organizational skills, the ability to work independently and an exceptional attention to detail.
• Ensembles: Assignments will vary but often involve managerial and/or repertoire librarian work.
• Electronic and Computer Music: Requires familiarity with Finale Pro Tools and some basic sequencing experience.
• Eurhythmics: Requires at least two semesters of Eurhythmics as an undergraduate or equivalent experience.
• Music Education: Requires participation in the Music Education program.
• Music History: Requires prior study in musicology and excellent written communication skills.
• Solfege: Requires significant piano proficiency and ear training experience.
• Sound Recording: Requires a familiarity with setting up and placing microphones/fluency in Pro Tools
• Theory: Requires competency in common practice, tonal harmony and strong communication skills.
• Collaborative Piano: For pianists capable of playing for vocal or instrumental studios/ensembles or productions.
• Studio Professor Assistantship: Assignments will vary but often involve organizing and scheduling studio activities and lessons.

Tuition Rates

TUITION 2025 - 2026 (UPDATED November 2024)

• Master of Music (MM), Master of Science (MS): $44,700.00 per year (two semesters)
• Advanced Music Studies Certificate (AMSC): $10,800.00 (for two semesters of study)
• Music Education Certification: $621.00 per unit
• Graduate per unit Cost: $621.00

All admitted domestic graduate students at Carnegie Mellon are eligible for federal loans through The Hub. Please visit Graduate Financial Aid for further information on funding options and note that your FAFSA is processed after you choose to enroll at Carnegie Mellon.

Carnegie Mellon makes comprehensive student consumer information available to all students and interested parties. Estimated Cost of Attendance can be found here. This is typically updated each summer, but costs do not change drastically year-to-year. Please note: there is no graduate campus housing - the room and board estimates are to assist with rent and cost of living estimates for Pittsburgh.

Admitted student appeals for fellowship or assistantship should be sent directly to:
Belmary Lorcas, Director of Recruitment and Enrollment, School of Music
Please do not mail appeals requests.