Curtis Tuition Scholarship: Music Admission & Costs

At a glance

Free if eligible

What it covers: Every admitted student receives a renewable full-tuition merit scholarship without a separate tuition-aid application. Published 2026–27 tuition values are $55,995 undergraduate/$69,527 graduate; those are scholarship values, not cash stipends or full attendance budgets.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗
Income / financial rules: The tuition scholarship is independent of financial situation. Living-cost aid is separate and need-based; required CSS Profile/parent financial information can differ from federal FAFSA requirements.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗
Who to check first: Gain admission based on exceptional musical promise through the application/audition process. Nationality does not exclude the tuition scholarship; programme-specific English and academic requirements still apply.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗
Application timing: Recurring application timetable: December 3 need-based fee-waiver request, December 10 application, later auditions and offer-response dates. This page does not attach a year to those dates; verify the intended cycle rather than manufacturing an ISO day.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗

Read official guidanceYou’ll leave FreeCheapEdu. The program makes the eligibility decision.

Check your eligibility

Some items describe alternative routes rather than requirements for everyone. Use the route that applies to you as a preparation checklist; the program makes the eligibility decision.

Gain admission based on exceptional musical promise through the application/audition process. Nationality does not exclude the tuition scholarship; programme-specific English and academic requirements still apply.Complete the specific programme/instrument prescreening and required documents. Curtis has no general minimum/maximum admission age, but younger-student programme/housing conditions differ.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗

How to apply

1
Create the application-platform account and submit required English-language documents, repertoire/prescreening materials, essays, two recommendations and applicable fees by the intended-cycle deadline. An application does not guarantee an audition.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗
2
Request an application-fee waiver for significant need if applicable, then follow invitation/audition and admission-offer instructions. The recurring waiver/application dates are December 3/December 10; confirm the current year and programme.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗
3
For living-cost aid, follow the separate Curtis supplemental-aid/CSS instructions and obtain the actual package. Admitted international students work with International Student Affairs on visa/documents.
As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗

What to watch for

Tuition-free does not remove living/insurance/application costs. The application page lists $250 plus $50 audition fees unless waived; the 2026–27 fee page lists $4,046 health insurance unless an adequate-plan exemption is approved.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗

The comprehensive fee has a specific 2026–27 grant; housing/meal and other costs still need individual review. Do not copy current-year fee coverage into an unreviewed later entering year.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗

Common questions

What is the main benefit?

Every admitted student receives a renewable full-tuition merit scholarship without a separate tuition-aid application. Published 2026–27 tuition values are $55,995 undergraduate/$69,527 graduate; those are scholarship values, not cash stipends or full attendance budgets.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗

Is there an income limit?

The tuition scholarship is independent of financial situation. Living-cost aid is separate and need-based; required CSS Profile/parent financial information can differ from federal FAFSA requirements.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗

When should I apply?

Recurring application timetable: December 3 need-based fee-waiver request, December 10 application, later auditions and offer-response dates. This page does not attach a year to those dates; verify the intended cycle rather than manufacturing an ISO day.

As of Oct 16, 2026 · Curtis Institute of Music ↗