Chapter Scholarship

The Naperville Music Teachers Association sponsors a needs-based Chapter Scholarship each year. Enrollment is open to students of NMTA members. Application forms are available in the NMTA Member Resource Center (members-only access)

The NMTA scholarship may be used for private piano, voice or instrumental instruction with an NMTA chapter member. The purpose of the scholarship is to assist an established student to continue lessons with an NMTA member teacher. There are two $600 scholarships available within an academic year (September 1-July 31): one as-needed scholarship (applications accepted year-round); and one annual scholarship (application deadline is March 15).

Two installments of $300.00 will be directed to the teacher during the terms (semesters) for which the scholarship is granted. Verification of student enrollment will be confirmed prior todisbursement of the second installment.

Student applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Student is continuing their private music study and not a beginning student.

  2. Student must either study with a teacher that has a private studio or pays rent at a commercial studio.

  3. The scholarship is to be used in order for a student to continue lessons and not to extend the length of the lesson.

  4. Student must study with a member of NMTA whose membership is current (see Teacher Criteria).

  5. Student must reside in Naperville or a border municipality. These border municipalities include: Aurora, Bolingbrook, Lisle, Plainfield, Warrenville and Woodridge.

  6. Consideration will be based on need and not talent.

  7. Student must provide a non-relative reference. Consider teachers, scout leaders, teachers, coaches, church leaders or neighbors who have known the student for a considerable length of time.

  8. Student must provide a reference from their NMTA teacher.

  9. Termination of lessons within the term the scholarship is awarded forfeits any remaining scholarship payment to the teacher.

Teacher Criteria: Application forms will be released to NMTA teachers who meet the following criteria.

  1. Teacher must contact the Scholarship Co-Chairs for guidance prior to application submission.

  2. Teacher must be a member for one full year with second-year membership dues paid in full by November 1st.

  3. Teacher must either have their own private studio or pay rent at a commercial studio.

  4. NMTA must be the teacher’s primary chapter affiliation

  5. Teacher may only submit one student application per calendar year.

  6. Teacher may not submit an application for a former scholarship recipient in consecutive years.

Application checklist:

  1. Completed student application form

  2. Student personal essay

  3. Completed personal reference form

  4. Completed teacher reference form

  5. Completed parent information form

Submission requirements:

  1. Teachers should submit all supporting documents in one packet to the Scholarship Co-Chairs.

  2. Deadline for the annual scholarship is March 15. Packet must be postmarked or e-mailed by the March 15 deadline.

Application will be reviewed by two NMTA chapter members and one outside music professional. Teachers who are serving as application reviewers are not eligible to submit students during the year of their service. In the case where no applicant meets the criteria, NMTA reserves the right not to award the scholarship. If both scholarships are awarded, no further applications will be accepted for that academic year.