Presser Foundation: Undergraduate Scholar Award Grant

The Presser Foundation's Undergraduate Scholar Award supports exceptional music students in their final year of study. Valued at approximately $3,000, the award aims to recognize and celebrate students demonstrating musical and academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement. Funds are distributed directly to students and can be applied towards educational expenses or musical advancement opportunities. This initiative honors the legacy of Theodore Presser and promotes continued education and enrichment in music.

Note: 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.
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.
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 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.

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.