Introduction & Purpose

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 2022-23, 25% of The Presser Foundation’s distributed funds ($884,000/$3.58 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 contributed to an inclusive community.
  • Selected institutions which have acknowledged the terms of the Award will be given Award funds to distribute to the nominated and Foundation approved student.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The Award is to be paid in full by check or direct deposit to the student’s account and must be in addition to and NOT replace or offset existing financial aid or music scholarship support from the institution.
  • 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 2023-24 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), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and a Tribal College 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 and has exemplified equity and inclusion values.

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.
  • Provide evidence to nominators to support their nomination.
  • Have achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence.
  • Demonstrate leadership and impact through formal or informal roles within the music program, institution, and/or community.
  • Have advanced equity and inclusion values and priorities.

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.

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.

Introduction & Purpose

Undergraduate schools of music at accredited colleges, universities and independent institutions of higher education are invited to apply for the opportunity to present the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award to an outstanding music major whom they select. The Trustees of The Presser Foundation established the Undergraduate Scholar Award to honor exceptional students pursuing studies in music. 

The Award is approximately $4,000 payable at the end of a student’s junior 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.

Selected by the music faculty, the Award recipient should show a high level of academic and musical accomplishment and embody the qualities of leadership and citizenship. The recipient is one who has grown individually and who has contributed earnestly to the success of the school of music. This Award is an honor and the recipient, in his/her senior year, is to be known as a Presser Scholar.

In 2021-22, 22% of The Presser Foundation’s distributed funds ($884,000/$3.96 million) went to Undergraduate Scholar Award recipients.

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 – it can be applied to their pursuit of special projects, the purchase of musical instruments, additional enrichment and musical advancement opportunities, or tuition costs.

Important Dates

Institution Re-Evaluation & New Application Deadline: September 1*, 2022

Decision Notification: November 15, 2022

*Please note that institutions are asked to submit a Re-Evaluation Application every 5 years. New institutions may apply and will be considered depending upon availability of funds.

Eligibility

Schools and colleges selected for participation in the Undergraduate Scholar Award Program must maintain a minimum enrollment of 60 undergraduate music majors, offer a curriculum of study that includes at least one-third non-music academic subjects, and show evidence of meeting high professional standards for faculty, curriculum, and facilities.

Criteria

Consistent with our Social Justice Statement and Values, the Foundation seeks to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in our processes, practices, and decisions.

  1. The Award is to be presented and paid in full to an undergraduate music major at the end of their junior academic year. It is designed to encourage and support in a special way the education of a music student who exemplifies high academic and musical accomplishmentleadership, and citizenship.
  2. The Award is to be paid in the form of a check or direct deposit to the student’s account and must be in addition to and NOT replace or offset existing financial aid or music scholarship support from the institution.
  3. 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.
  4. The Award is intended to be prestigious and publicly announced in an appropriate way. The student shall be known as a “Presser Scholar” and the institution is responsible for providing information about the Presser Scholar to The Foundation.

FAQs

  • 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?
    • Yes! If your institution fits with the eligibility and criteria discussed above, you can apply to be part of this program. Applications are due by September 1. Please contact Abby Rolland at arolland@presserfoundation.org if you have questions about beginning or completing the application. 
  • I’m an institution who has received the Undergraduate Scholar Award before. Do I need to apply for the award again?
    • 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. 
  • 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? 

Please contact Abby Rolland at arolland@presserfoundation.org, and we will help get you set up!