About TMEA Scholarships
TMEA is pleased to offer over $200,000 in scholarships each year for undergraduate and graduate music study in Texas.
Thank you to our members and music industry partners for their generous contributions! Want to support the future of music education?
Apply for a Scholarship
Apply for a TMEA scholarship to help support your educational journey. Scholarship applications are accepted from August 1 to November 1. Scholarship recipients are announced in January.
Scholarship Opportunities
Explore scholarship opportunities, check eligibility requirements, and review application criteria.
CCCCT For Graduating High School Seniors
- Bill Cormack Scholarship: $3,000 per year for up to five years (one awarded annually)
- Past-Presidents Memorial Scholarship: $2,500 per year for up to five years (one awarded annually)
- Past-Presidents Scholarship: $2,500 per year for up to five years (one awarded annually)
- Executive Board Scholarship: $2,500 per year for up to five years (one awarded annually)
- One-Year Scholarships: $2,500 for one year (multiple awarded annually)
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be entering as a full-time freshman, as defined by the attending institution, in a Texas college or university in the fall 2025
- Must major in a music degree program leading to Texas teacher certification with music as the primary teaching field
Application Criteria
To be eligible to receive a TMEA Scholarship, you must submit your completed Scholarship Application by 4:30 PM CT on November 1. Do not create more than one application. If you have created an application and lost your upload link, please contact Kay Vanlandingham before 3:30 PM CT on November 1.
☑ Names & Emails of Five References
Submit five (5) names of individuals, and their email addresses, of people who can address your potential for success in an undergraduate music education program, music skills and abilities, work ethic, and other personal qualities. One evaluation must be submitted by your primary ensemble director. These evaluations will be completed online.
☑ Short Essay
Self-composed short essay (1-2 pages) that describes your reasons for becoming a teacher, commitment to music education, and future career goals. This document must be uploaded in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
☑ Professional Resume
Professional style resume that includes a list of any All-State groups in which you have participated, any musical honors you have achieved, and any other academic or non-musical honors you have achieved. This document must be uploaded in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
☑ Current Academic Transcript
Copy of your current academic transcript may be uploaded as a PDF or mailed to TMEA, 7900 Centre Park Dr., Austin, TX 78754. Your transcript must be received on or before November 1. Do not email or fax your transcript to TMEA.
For Undergraduate Students
- The Robert Floyd Scholarship for Music Education: $4,000 per year for up to four years (one awarded annually)
- One-Year Scholarships: $2,500 for one year, to be distributed for the fall 2025 semester (multiple awarded annually)
- One-Semester Student Teaching Scholarships: $2,500 for students scheduled to student teach during spring 2025 or fall 2025 semesters (multiple awarded annually)
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a currently enrolled undergraduate music major in a music degree program leading to Texas teacher certification with music as the primary teaching field
- Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student as defined by the attending institution
- Must be a College Student Member of TMEA
- Must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a four-point scale
- Student may reapply for consideration in subsequent years
One-Semester Student Teaching Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
- Must be a currently enrolled music major in a music degree program leading to Texas teacher certification with music as the primary teaching field
- Must be a College Student Member of TMEA
- Must have a minimum 3.0 grade point average on a four-point scale
- Must be scheduled to student teach within the two semesters following the application deadline
- Must not currently have a TMEA Scholarship
Application Criteria
To be eligible to receive a TMEA Scholarship, you must submit your completed Scholarship Application by 4:30 PM CT on November 1. Do not create more than one application. If you have created an application and lost your upload link, please contact Kay Vanlandingham before 3:30 PM CT on November 1.
☑ Names & Emails of Five References
Submit five (5) names of individuals, and their email addresses, of people who can address your potential for success as a music educator, music skills and abilities, work ethic, and other personal qualities. One evaluation must be submitted by your primary ensemble director. These evaluations will be completed online.
☑ Short Essay
Self-composed short essay (1-2 pages) that describes your reasons for becoming a teacher, commitment to music education, and future career goals. This document must be uploaded in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
☑ Professional Resume
Professional style resume that includes a list of any All-State groups in which you have participated, any musical honors you have achieved, and any other academic or non-musical honors you have achieved. This document must be uploaded in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
☑ Current Academic Transcript
Copy of your most recent academic transcript may be uploaded as a PDF or mailed to TMEA, 7900 Centre Park Dr., Austin, TX 78754. If you are currently a freshman, you should submit your high school transcript. Your transcript must be received on or before November 1. Do not email or fax your transcript to TMEA.
For Graduate Students
- Graduate Study Scholarships: $1,250 for 3 Hours and $2,500 for 6+ hours for studies during the summer 2025 and/or fall 2025 semesters (multiple awarded annually)
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be an Active member of TMEA
- Must have a minimum of three years, full-time, classroom teaching experience in Texas with music as the primary teaching field at the time of application
- Must be pursuing a music-related graduate degree at a fully-accredited university within the state of Texas
Application Criteria
To be eligible to receive a TMEA Scholarship, you must submit your completed Scholarship Application by 4:30 PM CT on November 1. Do not create more than one application. If you have created an application and lost your upload link, please contact Kay Vanlandingham before 3:30 PM CT on November 1.
☑ Names & Emails of Five References
Submit five (5) names of individuals, and their email addresses, of people who can address your potential for success as a music educator, music skills and abilities, work ethic, and other personal qualities. One evaluation must be submitted by your primary ensemble director. These evaluations will be completed online.
☑ Short Essay
Self-composed short essay (1-2 pages) that describes your reasons for becoming a teacher, commitment to music education, and future career goals. This document must be uploaded in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
☑ Professional Resume
Professional style resume that includes musical honors you have achieved and any other academic or non-musical honors you have achieved. This document must be uploaded in PDF or Microsoft Word format.
☑ Current Academic Transcript
Copy of your most recent academic transcript may be uploaded as a PDF or mailed to TMEA, 7900 Centre Park Dr., Austin, TX 78754. Your transcript must be received on or before November 1. Do not email or fax your transcript to TMEA.
Without my TMEA scholarship, I would most definitely not be where I am today at UNT. Finances were always a topic of much stress for me growing up, so much so that I didn’t think college was even an option for me. Without this scholarship, I would’ve never had the opportunity to study with the world-class faculty here, and I would’ve missed out on so many life-changing experiences.
Wesley Wynn,
Music Education Major, University of North Texas
Need Help?
For questions or assistance with scholarships, please email Kay Vanlandingham.