Introduction & Purpose

Graph illustrating giving to Undergraduate Scholar Award grantmaking program from 2019 to 2024.

The Presser Foundation has long supported hundreds of schools of music, departments of music, and conservatories across the country through the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award. Undergraduate music programs at selected colleges, universities and independent institutions of higher education are given the opportunity to present this Award, which recognizes the accomplishments and contribution of a music major in their final year of undergraduate study.

In 2023-24, 22% of The Presser Foundation’s distributed funds ($732,000/$3.43 million) went to Undergraduate Scholar Award recipients.

While the program has evolved over the years, its focus on serving students has not changed.

  • The Foundation established the Award to celebrate students, selected by music faculty, who have achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and service, and contributed to an inclusive community.
  • Award funds will be distributed to each participating institution, paying directly to the nominated and Foundation-approved student. The Presser Foundation prefers that the Award go directly to the student and not replace or offset existing financial aid or music scholarships from the institution. The student must be eligible to accept Award funds and have not exceeded financial aid limitations.
  • The Award is approximately $3,000 payable to the student at the end of their final undergraduate year. The exact amount of the Award varies from year to year based on the availability of funds and the number of Awards that the Committee approves.
  • The use of funds is at the discretion of the Award recipient and may be applied towards expenses normally incurred in pursuit of a degree or for additional enrichment and musical advancement opportunities which are not normally provided in a university or conservatory setting.
  • This Award is an honor and the Award recipient is known as a Presser Scholar.

The Why

The Foundation’s founder, Theodore Presser, taught at many undergraduate and graduate music institutions.

To honor Mr. Presser’s commitment to music education, The Presser Foundation supports undergraduate students across the country committed to advancing music through their studies. Students choose how they want to use the Award funds – it can be applied to their pursuit of continued education, special projects, the purchase of musical instruments, additional enrichment, and other musical advancement opportunities.

Important Dates

Important Dates For Participating Institutions

  • October 1 – Acknowledge Terms
  • December 1 – Nominate Student
  • February 15 – Provide Banking Information
  • Mid-March – Receive and Pay Out Award Funds to the Student
  • June 1 – Confirm Award Distribution and Recipient Use

 

Participating Institution Process

Acknowledgment of Terms Process

  • Acknowledge the terms of the Award via the Foundation’s grant management system by October 1st. 

Nominating Process

  • Obtain the nominee’s permission.
  • Prepare requested information including the nominee’s accomplishments and contributions that meet the Award criteria and eligibility.
  • The nominated student must be eligible to accept Award funds and have not exceeded financial aid limitations.
  • Submit the requested information on the Foundation’s grant management system by December 1st for consideration.

Awarding Process

  • Upon Award notification by the Foundation, selected institution must provide banking information by February 15th for the distribution of Award funds.
  • Award funds will be distributed to each participating institution, paying directly to the nominated and Foundation-approved student. The Presser Foundation prefers that the Award go directly to the student and not replace or offset existing financial aid or music scholarships from the institution. The student must be eligible to accept Award funds and have not exceeded financial aid limitations.
  • The use of funds is at the discretion of the Award recipient.
  • The Award is an honor and the recipient is to be known as a Presser Scholar.

Reporting Process

  • Selected institutions are required to provide confirmation of Award distribution and use of Award funds by June 1st.

Eligibility

For the 2024-25 academic year, institutions currently in the program will continue to receive the Award. New institutions including those accredited through the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) have been invited to participate by the Scholar Award Committee.

At this time, there is no open application process for the Undergraduate Scholar Award program.

Criteria

The Award celebrates a student who has achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and service, and contributed to an inclusive community.

The nominated student must:

  • Be currently enrolled as a full-time or part-time undergraduate music major at the end of their final year of study.
  • Agree to be nominated and eligible to accept Award funds not exceeding financial aid limitations.
  • Provide evidence to nominators to support their nomination.
  • Have achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence.
  • Have demonstrated leadership and service through formal or informal roles within the music program, institution, and community.
  • Have contributed to an inclusive community.

The Award must:

  • Be used at the discretion of the Award recipient and may be applied towards expenses normally incurred in pursuit of a degree OR for additional enrichment and musical advancement opportunities which are not normally provided in a university or conservatory setting.
  • Be presented publicly. The student shall be known as a “Presser Scholar” and the institution is responsible for providing information about the Presser Scholar to the Foundation

Award funds will be distributed to each participating institution and then paid directly to the nominated and Foundation-approved student. The Presser Foundation prefers that the Award go directly to the student and not replace or offset existing financial aid or music scholarships from the institution. The student must be eligible to accept Award funds and have not exceeded financial aid limitations.

FAQs

Q: I’m an accredited college, university, or independent institution of higher education with a school/department of music. Am I able to apply to be a part of the Undergraduate Award program?

  A: We are not currently accepting new applications to this program. 

Q: I’m an institution who has received the Undergraduate Scholar Award before. Do I need to apply for the award again?

  A: No, you do not need to apply for the Award again. The Foundation will send you reminders for “follow-ups” that are due throughout the year. 

Q: I’m the new point person for The Presser Foundation Undergraduate Scholar Award. How do I login to complete follow-ups/reporting or begin a new grant? 

  A: Please contact Rachael Gartner at rgartner@presserfoundation.org, and we will help get you set up!

Q: I’m an HBCU or HSI that is not currently NASM accredited. Is my institution eligible for the Award?

  A: At this time, we are only inviting HBCU and HSI institutions that are NASM accredited. Continuous changes will be made to the Award program; keep an eye on our social media platforms to see updated changes.

Previous tab Next tab