Scholarships

Scholarships, Stipends, and Service Awards

I. Scholarships

The Department of Music offers scholarships to new and returning students. For new students, scholarships range from $500 to $2000 per year and are based on the quality of the audition (see Audition Requirements), high school or transfer GPA, and the applicant’s capacity to fill a critical need in an ensemble.

Applicants interested in being considered for scholarships are encouraged to audition early (see Audition Dates).

All scholarship recipients are evaluated at the end of each semester. In order for the scholarship to be renewed for the next semester, the student must satisfy the following requirements:

  • 2.75 minimum overall GPA
  • B or better in required ensembles
  • B or better in major instrument applied lessons
  • Passing of Evaluation Forum (if applicable)
  • Participation in two ensembles as assigned and approved by the faculty. Piano majors are required to enroll in only one ensemble.
  • Continued enrollment as a full-time student (12 semester hours) with satisfactory progression toward graduation.

Scholarship auditions for returning students take place after the major's meeting on the first Wednesday of each semester. Returning students wishing to audition for scholarship must submit their names to the music department office no later than 5:00 PM two business days before the audition date.

Returning students are eligible for additional scholarship awards whether or not they are in receipt of a music scholarship. These awards are announced at the end of the spring semester and are in effect for the following fall semester (with the exception of the Presser Award which is awarded in the spring of a student’s final year). These awards, most in the $100-850 range, are given at the discretion of the faculty and include:

  • Presser Award. The Award is to be presented and paid in full to an undergraduate music major at the end of their final academic year in the spring of 2024. It is designed to encourage and support in a special way the education of a music student who exemplifies a high level of musical and academic excellence and has exemplified equity and inclusion values.
  • Richard C. Pisano Scholarship. The Pisano Family wants to provide an educational opportunity to deserving students at UNC Pembroke while honoring their father, Richard Pisano. Their father believed strongly in education and always loved music. The recipients shall be full-time, undergraduate students in their sophomore, junior or senior year of study at UNCP. The recipients shall be Music majors and shall maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA. This scholarship shall be awarded to a native of North Carolina with one or more of the following conditions: demonstrated financial need, musical potential, exudes professionalism, a healthy work ethic and campus involvement. In order to have it touch the lives of more students, the scholarship is not renewable to a prior recipient.
  • George R. Walter Scholarship. The Donors wish to honor Dr. Walter for his many years of teaching and leadership in The University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s Music Department. The recipient will be a full-time student majoring in music. The recipient must maintain a minimum of 3.0 GPA and be in the sophomore year of study (rising sophomore). The award will be made in the fall. The recipient does not have to demonstrate financial need. The award is renewable at the discretion of the department.
  • Travis Stockley Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is named for the former director of the UNCP Musical Theatre program who passed away in an automobile accident in August of 2006. It is awarded to a Music student  has made significant contributions to the Musical Theatre program. The recipient must maintain a GPA of 3.0.
  • Bradley Alford Endowed Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was established in memory of a gifted piano major who died of cancer in his senior year. It is awarded to a full-time Music major in his or her junior or senior year of study and is based on both musical talent and academic ability. The recipient must maintain a GPA of 3.0.
  • Cindy Campbell Scholarship. This award is named for Cindy Campbell, a retired music educator and UNCP Music Department Administrative Support Associate from 2008-2019. This award is given annually to a full-time Music Major who demonstrates a high degree of professionalism, collegiality, reliability, and accomplishment. The recipient must maintain a GPA of 3.0.
  • Mark Clark Scholarship. This award is named for Mark Clark, a Navy band veteran and UNCP Music Department Technical Operations Manager from 2010-2019. This award is given annually to the full-time Music Industry major who has demonstrated passion and promise in audio production and who uses these skills for the benefit of the department. The recipient must maintain a GPA of 3.0.
  • Rosemary Gibson Endowed Scholarship. The donor wishes to help a Musical Theatre major have enough funds to achieve graduation. The recipients of this scholarship in Musical Theatre will be undergraduate students with Musical Theatre as their declared major and maintain a minimum of 2.5 GPA. In the absence of an eligible Musical Theatre major, students who excel at piano (first preference) or conducting (second preference) should be considered.  Incoming freshman as well as current students will be eligible. Financial need is not a consideration. The award is renewable to the same recipient.
  • Gordon R. Gibson Memorial Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship was established in memory of Dr. Gibson, who retired from a distinguished musical career in New York and served as a staff accompanist at UNCP before passing away in 2004, at the age of 80. This scholarship recognizes musical excellence and personal commitment to the Music Department. The candidate for award of this scholarship shall be a full-time student majoring in Music at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Candidate must be in the junior or senior year of study possessing a minimum QPA of 2.5 to be considered for this award. There is no residency restriction or restriction to financial need.
  • Julia Merritt Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is in honor of a gifted music major who passed away in 2020. It is awarded to a full-time student who is a declared Music Education major (includes all tracks of Music Education: Instrumental, Vocal, Keyboard/Instrumental, and Keyboard/Vocal) and who has passed Evaluation Forum. The recipient must maintain a GPA of 3.0.
  • Robert L. Romine Scholarship. The recipient of the Dr. Robert L. Romine Music Scholarship shall be a student in any year of study pursuing a music degree with an instrumental orientation or a music education degree (any emphasis). The recipient can be a full-time or part-time, and must maintain a 2.5 QPA and have a demonstrated financial need. Residency status will not be considered. This scholarship is renewable to the same recipient.
  • Outstanding Freshman Award.
  • Margaret S. Jones Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship was established in honor of Mrs. Jones, wife of former chancellor, Dr. English E. Jones, to aid students in obtaining their educational goals. It is given annually to an outstanding Music major who has proven him/herself to be a dedicated student with exceptional talent and has exhibited a willingness to use this talent for the benefit of the department.
  • Doris B. Johnson Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship was established by Dr. Kenneth Johnson in memory of his wife, who taught music education courses in the Music Department for many years. The scholarship is awarded annually to a student who is active in the Music Educators National Conference and who shows exceptional potential as a music teacher.
  • Music Faculty Recognition Award. This award is presented to music majors who have been chosen by the music faculty to be deserving of special recognition for their accomplishments.  It is awarded in the spring to one or more returning students.

II. Stipends and Service Awards

Marching and Pep Band Stipends

Additional money is available for participating in the Marching Band or Pep Band. To qualify for this stipend, the student must audition for the ensemble director and complete an application. To maintain a stipend, the student must audition at the beginning of each semester.

Ensemble Service Awards

These awards are given to students who perform specific services to assist with the management of the ensemble. These students are chosen by the ensemble director. Students should contact the ensemble director if they are interested in an ensemble service award.

For more information regarding university scholarships and financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office.