Scholarships
Students may qualify for a number of merit-based scholarships to attend ISYM. These include:
- ISYM Achievement Award (awarded to an outstanding camper for use the following year)
- All-State and All-Illinois Junior Band Participant’s Scholarship
- IHSA and IESA Solo and Ensemble Best of Day Scholarship
- SuperState Participant’s Scholarship
- Other Opportunities & Community Organizations
Please note the following scholarship guidelines:
- Scholarships from the list above can be combined totaling up to $100.
- ISYM Achievement Award recipients may combine their award with other scholarships totaling up to $200.
- Scholarships from outside organizations can be in any amount up to the total cost of attendance.
To claim an award, please indicate this on your application under expected scholarships and send a scan or photo of the award certificate or program to isym@illinois.edu.
ISYM Achievement Award
This $100 scholarship will be awarded to selected participants each summer during ISYM. Recipients will be able to use the scholarship towards the tuition of any ISYM camp that is offered during the following summer. This award may not be transferred to other applicants. This is the only award that allows total scholarship amount to go over $100 per program.
All-State Participant’s Scholarship
This $100 scholarship will be awarded to any ISYM applicant* who participated in an Illinois Music Educators Association (IMEA) All-State ensemble or All-Illinois Junior Band as an individual during the same year. Applicants from other states will also receive this scholarship as long as documentation is submitted to ISYM showing participation in an All-State ensemble at their state’s MENC All-State Conference.
IHSA and IESA Solo and Ensemble Best of Day Scholarship
This $75 scholarship will be awarded to any ISYM individual applicant* who received a Best of Day certificate at an Illinois High School Association (IHSA) & IESA Solo & Ensemble Contest during the current year. The scholarship recipient must provide a copy of the Best of Day Certificate.
SuperState Participant’s Scholarship
Students who are participating in the Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival with their school’s concert band are eligible for a $50 scholarship. Eligible recipients must email isym@illinois.edu with their name and the name of the school they are attending to claim their scholarship.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
Other musical accomplishments similar to those listed above will be considered if submitted via email to ISYM@illinois.edu. If you are affiliated with one of the organizations below, contact them in order to learn about scholarships that they have available for ISYM applicants.
*unless the section or instrument/voice part is closed due to maximum enrollment.
Scholarships to attend ISYM have been provided to individual students by these organizations.
Alan B. Shepard High School
Alton Band and Orchestra Builders
Alton Youth Symphony
Carl Sandburg Music Boosters
Champaign Central Music Boosters
Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation –
Dan Perrino Scholarship
Champaign-Urbana Symphony Guild
Community Consolidated School District 21
Champaign-Urbana Music Teacher’s Association
Decatur Area Music Teachers Association
Discover FAA Scholarship, U of I
District 84 Music Parents (Franklin Park)
East Peoria District 86 Music Booster Assoc.
Fine Arts County of Effingham
Geneseo Performing Arts Council
Geren Stith Scholarship
Gibson Area Music Foundation
Hip Hop Xpress Support Fund, U of I
Homewood Parent Music Association
Huntley HS Band Boosters
Kewanee HS Music Boosters
Lyric Theatre @ Illinois
Marshall CUSD
Orland Park Music Parents East
Parkview School, Morton Grove SD 70
River Grove School Music Organization
Rolling Meadows High School Music Boosters
Sen Bennet Scholarship
Springfield Federation of Music Clubs
Steger School District 194
Suburban Youth Symphony Orchestra
West Aurora Middle School Band Boosters
Yorkville Music Boosters
Zion-Benton HS Dist 126