Scholarships

Academic Merit Scholarships

Every Lawrence applicant is reviewed for a merit scholarship, which ranges from $27,000-$38,000 annually.  

Students are considered for academic scholarships as part of our review of their application for admission. No additional steps are required. Students who receive an academic scholarship, will learn about it at the time they receive their admission decision.

How you are considered

Because Lawrence draws students from so many different schools—each with its own unique combination of course offerings, grading systems, and level of competition—you won't find one of those "X GPA + Y ACT/SAT = Z Scholarship" tables here.

We take a holistic approach, considering your:

• Academic performance;
• Strength of curriculum within the context of your school environment;
• Class rank, if available. (And yes, we do consider the quality of the school and competitive nature of the student population);
• Essay;
• Standardized test results, if you choose to submit them. 

Ted Cloak Century Scholarship (up to $2,000 per year)

The Ted Cloak Century Scholarship recognizes young theatre makers that who will fill the 21st Century with innovative, collaborative, clear, and nuanced productions that warm the hearts and challenge the minds of generations to come. This scholarship honors the legacy of joyful and serious theatre making in a liberal arts environment envisioned by Ted Cloak in 1930.

To be considered for a Ted Cloak Century Scholarship, applicants must complete either an on campus or self-recorded audition their senior year of high school.

Community Based Organization Scholarships (amounts vary)

Lawrence is proud to collaborate with a variety of organizations that focus on college preparation for students from under-represented populations. As part of these partnerships, we offer special scholarships to students who note in their application for admission that they have participated in these organizations.

Conservatory Scholarships

For Conservatory of Music (B.Mus., B.M.A., or B.A./B.Mus. Dual Degree) candidates, audition scores are factored into overall merit scholarship consideration. Conservatory students are awarded holistic merit scholarships that consider both musical and academic accomplishments. Scholarships are renewable annually and range up to half tuition. Conservatory applicants are considered for scholarships as part of our review of their completed application for admission and audition. No additional steps are required. Students who receive a merit scholarship will learn about it at the time they receive their admission decision.

How you are considered 

Eligibility for merit scholarships will be determined on the quality of your audition along with your academic application qualifications (see Academic Merit Scholarships above). In other words, we look at the whole you - not everything falls to a single audition.

Con Brio Award

The Con Brio Award is a one-time $500 award granted to every student who auditions in person at the Lawrence Conservatory of Music and is subsequently admitted to the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Musical Arts, or Dual Degree. Inspired by the musical term con brio—meaning “with spirit” or “with brilliance”—the name also plays on “Con,” short for Conservatory, celebrating both the artistry and energy students bring to their live audition and the vibrant Conservatory community they’re joining.

Encore Scholarship

The Encore Scholarship is awarded to students who have participated in a Lawrence-affiliated camp, conference, or event and who demonstrate exceptional promise as musicians and community members. This scholarship celebrates the lasting impact of those formative experiences and encourages students to continue their musical journey at Lawrence. Like an encore performance, it represents both recognition of past achievement and enthusiastic anticipation of what comes next. Nomination by a participating Lawrence Conservatory faculty member and admission to the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Musical Arts, or Dual Degree is required for consideration.

Music Education Scholarship

Students interested in the music education major who wish to be considered for a music education scholarship must either participate in the Music Education Workshop as part of their on-campus audition or request and complete a virtual interview with a music education professor.

To be eligible to request an interview, your application for admission must be submitted first. Then, to ensure full consideration, virtual interview requests must be submitted by the following deadlines:

• Early Decision (ED) and Early Action 1 (EA1): Request by Nov. 6, complete by Nov. 15
• Regular Decision (RD): Request by Feb. 2, complete by Feb. 21

To request an interview, please email musicadmissions@lawrence.edu. We’re happy to help coordinate a time that works for you!

Piano Accompanying Fellowships

The accompanying fellowship program at Lawrence provides a unique artistic and educational opportunity to highly gifted pianists in their sophomore year or later.

Each recipient is granted a one-year $5,000 fellowship, which is renewable each ensuing year based on satisfactory performance as an accompanist. The student pianist provides accompanying services 10 to 12 hours per week in ensembles and individual studios, receiving faculty coaching as needed on accompanying projects.

Transfer Student Scholarships 

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members and students who transfer from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh-Fox Cities are eligible for a $31,000 renewable scholarship. 

Additional Scholarships

Lawrence supports numerous scholarship opportunities beyond academic and conservatory awards. These scholarships are usually offered in conjunction with other programs and sponsors.

National Merit Scholarships ($2,000 per year)

National Merit Finalists who have designated Lawrence University as their first choice are eligible for this scholarship. National Merit Finalists who report Lawrence as their first choice by May 1st will be included in the group of students referred to Lawrence for National Merit Scholarship consideration.

This scholarship may be combined with other Lawrence Scholarships.

Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholarships ($2,250 per year)

Wisconsin students who are selected to receive the Wisconsin State Excellence Award will receive a state-sponsored scholarship of that will be matched by Lawrence.

This scholarship may be combined with other Lawrence scholarships.

Colleges That Change Lives Scholarship ($1,000 per year)

Lawrence is proud to be a member of the Colleges That Changes Lives consortium. Learn more about the consortium and how to apply for the scholarship. More about Colleges that Change Lives.