Types of Aid
Scholarships
Each year Concordia University Chicago invites new students to audition for music scholarships. These performance-based scholarships are awarded to students demonstrating musical talent and potential. Whether you want to pursue a professional career in music or simply continue to improve your skills, CUC's music programs will support your aspirations and personal passion for music.
You will further your talent through the mentoring of our world-class faculty — a group of dedicated and highly sought-after teachers and performers. At Concordia-Chicago you will have the opportunity to participate in one of our music ensembles, study your instrument or voice, tour nationally and internationally, and possibly obtain a valuable internship with a world-class organization such as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
We invite you to become part of the rich tradition of music at CUC, where you will experience a wide variety of musical learning and performance in a Christian environment.
How much could I qualify for?
Music scholarships are awarded based on musical ability and potential contributions of the student to the music department. Both music and non-music majors are eligible to apply.
The amount of the scholarship is dependent upon the audition performance, needs of the music department, the number of scholarship applicants, as well as the individual student's total award package. Awards are divided evenly between two semesters (excluding summer) and may be renewed annually for four years as long as academic standards and participation requirements are met.
Concordia University Chicago is a collegiate partner with Lutheran Summer Music (LSM). We offer scholarships of at least $1,000 to qualified LSM alumni. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years and are subject to the policies that apply to other music scholarships. In addition, CUC offers one specialized scholarship for incoming organ students: The Trusheim Freshman Award.
Music scholarship decisions and awards will be announced at the end of December for November auditions, and at the end of March for February auditions. Scholarship recipients must notify the Office of Undergraduate Admission that they accept the scholarship by submitting their $100 enrollment deposit by May 1, 2023 and accepting the music scholarship terms and conditions via the Concordia Connect portal.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Do I need to major in music to receive a scholarship?
You do not need to major or minor in music to be eligible for a scholarship. However, the scholarship audition does serve as the entrance audition for incoming music majors. Scholarship recipients participate in choral or instrumental ensembles at CUC and enjoy individual attention through private lessons with some of the area's finest musicians.
What are the requirements for keeping my scholarship?
Scholarship recipients are required to take lessons on their instrument or voice and participate in an approved ensemble each semester.
How do I prepare for the audition?
Students must perform two selections of contrasting styles from the standard solo repertoire, lasting 8-10 minutes total, 5-10 minutes total for singers. Singers are encouraged to include one piece in a foreign language. Selections should not include etudes, pop tunes, show tunes or Christian contemporary music. All auditions must be performed with a live accompanist.
When and where are the music scholarship auditions?
This year, your music audition can be submitted in-person or by recording. Important dates are listed below:
- Application goes live on Concordia Connect portal: Nov. 1, 2022
- Recorded auditions begin: Nov. 1, 2022
- In-person auditions take place on campus: Nov. 12, 2022, Feb. 18, 2023 and Feb. 20, 2023. We will be following University-directed COVID protocols to ensure the safety of both CUC personnel and our guests
- Recorded audition deadline: March 31 (or when available funds have been awarded)
How do I submit a recorded audition?
- Begin the recording with a brief spoken introduction of yourself, your instrument/voice, and what you will be performing.
- The recording must include video (may not be audio only).
- The camera must remain on you and your instrument at all times.
- Both pieces should be accompanied by a live keyboard player. For instrumentalists, one piece may be performed unaccompanied if it was written to be performed that way.
- Guitar, piano, organ, harp and percussion do not require accompaniment.
- Submit your recording one of the following ways:
- YouTube link (preferred) emailed to Laura.Zimmer@CUChicago.edu
- Email an mp4 or equivalent to Laura.Zimmer@CUChicago.edu
- Share the recording through Google Drive or equivalent with Laura.Zimmer@CUChicago.edu
- Send a flash drive or DVD by USPS or other courier to
Concordia University Chicago
Laura Zimmer – Music Department
7400 Augusta Street
River Forest, IL 60305
How can I register for an audition?
Once you are admitted to Concordia–Chicago and receive your acceptance packet containing your personal login information, you will be able to register for the audition date and time of your choice via the Concordia Connect portal.
If you have not yet been admitted but would still like to audition, please email or call Laura Zimmer at Laura.Zimmer@CUChicago.edu / 708-209-3062.
Complete our CUC online admission application to get the admission process started.
Contact information:
Admission Information / General Questions: Call the Undergraduate Admission Office at 877-CUChicago (877-282-4422) or email Admission@CUChicago.edu.
Music questions: Call Laura Zimmer in the music department at 708-209-3062 or email Laura.Zimmer@CUChicago.edu.
We encourage students to apply for outside scholarships (not awarded by Concordia University Chicago, but applied to your tuition). There are numerous scholarships available through religious, civic and corporate organizations.
Many scholarships—but not all—are based on financial need. They may also be awarded to students who meet other specific eligibility requirements, such as pursuing a particular major or demonstrating a specific interest, talent or hobby.
Explore scholarship opportunities with your local Chamber of Commerce, local fraternal organizations and places of employment. Local donors often prefer to help students from their own communities.
You can also complete an online profile with a reputable scholarship search engine. It might help to create a designated email address just for this process, so you can safely turn off the spam filter. Search engines usually send automated responses, which could be filtered out as spam if sent to your main email address.
Please click on the links below to view our recommended scholarship search sites.
Scholarship Sources
- FastWeb
- Scholarships.com
- College Board
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship Must have junior standing and renew every semester
- Gates Millennium Scholars
- CollegeXpress Scholarships
- UNCF Scholarships
- GoAbroad
- Chegg.com Scholarships
- College Scholarships for Minority Students
- College Scholarships for African American Students
- Graduate Scholarships for Veterans and Active Military Members
- American Psychological Association Scholarships, Grants and Awards
- MoneyGeek Scholarship Search
- Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
- Golden Apple Scholarship
- Nerdwallet
- Cappex
- Student Scholarship Search
- Scholly Scholarship Search
- Scholarship Guidance
- Scholarship Portal
- University Headquarters - Scholarships
- 2023 Cosmetic Animal Testing Scholarship
https://facemyskinproblem.com/cosmetic-animal-testing-scholarship/ Application due: 5/30/23 & 10/30/23 - 2023 Behind the Wheel Scholarship
https://gelbandgelb.com/2023-behind-the-wheel-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - 2023 Done with Distracted Driving Scholarship https://ostrofflaw.com/2023-done-with-distracted-driving-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - 2023 Equal Justice Scholarship
https://grandcanyon.law/2023-equal-justice-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - 2023 Franchise Law Entrepreneur
https://franchise.law/2023-franchise-law-entrepreneur-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - 2023 Healthy Communities Scholarship https://virginialawfirm.net/2023-healthy-communities-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - 2023 Honor a Hero Scholarship
https://texasjustice.com/2023-honor-a-hero-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - 2023 Lowenthal and Adams Hospital Safety Awareness Scholarship https://lowenthalabrams.com/2023-lowenthal-abrams-hospital-safety-awareness-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - 2023 Smart Savings Scholarship
https://www.gbclawgroup.com/smart-saving-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - 2023 Single Parent Scholarship
https://colwell-law.org/2023-single-parent-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - Access to Education
https://amyglaw.com/2023-amy-g-injury-firm-access-to-education-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - The Ability Scholarship
https://solutionnowlawfirm.com/2023-ability-scholarship/
Application due: 5/31/23 - Diamocycle Scholarship
https://diamocycle.com/scholarship/
Application due: 6/1/23 - The Richard Rawle Scholarship
https://www.checkcity.com/community-outreach/scholarship
Application due: 6/1/23 - Combs Law Group: “Take the Stand” Scholarship https://www.combslawstl.com/2023/04/03/combs-law-group-scholarship-2023-taking-a-stand/
Application due: 6/26/23 - Jobtest.org Career Scholarship
https://www.jobtest.org/scholarship
Application due: 7/1/23 - Wellness Warriors Scholarship
https://ensosuperfoods.com/blogs/supergreens/best-super-greens-powders#wellness-warrior-scholarship
Application due: 7/1/23 - White Glove Moving Scholarship
https://whiteglovemoving.us/scholarship/
Application due: 7/15/23 - 5Estimates Scholarship
https://5estimates.com/scholarship/
Application due: 7/30/23 & 1/31/24 - Mind, Body, & Soul Scholarship
https://www.topnutritioncoaching.com/#scholarship
Application due: 7/31/23 - Financial Champions Scholarship 2023 – 1F Cash Advance
https://1firstcashadvance.org/scholarship-2023/
Application due: 10/15/23 - Digital Monk Scholarship
https://www.digitalmonk.org/scholarship/
Application due: 11/1/23 - Kure’s College Scholarship
https://kure.app/scholarship
Application due: 11/30/23 - The PRINT IT Scholarship
https://mmanuts.com/scholarships/
Application due: 1/11/24 - Allstar Plumbing Accounting Scholarship https://www.allstarplumbingservice.com/scholarship-for-accounting-students/
Application due: May 15 Annually - Scholarship for Mobile Commuting https://www.ubercloneapp.com/mobile-computing-scholarship-program/
Application due: May 15 Annually
Lutheran and Church Professional Scholarship Opportunities
- The Immanuel Evangelical LC of North Minneapolis Scholarship
- Lutheran Women's Missionary League
- Mercy Medical Team Scholarships (LCMS college students pursuing health-related professions)
- Missouri District Lutheran Laymen’s League
- Our Father Lutheran Church, The Scholarship Fund
Unfortunately, there are some scholarship scams online, so be cautious before providing personal information. Legitimate scholarship searches are generally free.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) cautions students to look for these telltale statements:
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“The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back,”
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“You can’t get this information anywhere else,”
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“I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship,”
- “The scholarship will cost some money.”
The College Scholarship Fraud Prevention Act provides protection against fraud in student financial assistance. If you have a question about a particular opportunity, feel free to contact the Office of Financial Aid.
Grants and Work Study
Concordia University Chicago is grateful for current service members and veterans and is supportive of those who would like to start or continue their education. Multiple financial programs are available to assist veterans and their dependents in achieving a college education.