FOR STUDENTS
Your Music is Worth More Than You Think.
Get recruited to play in college—whether you want to major in music or not. Access a free database of over $182 Million in music scholarships and connect directly with college scouts.
Get Recruited like an Athlete.
If you play a sport, colleges track you down early. CommonTime does the exact same thing but for music kids.
Colleges need you.
They have open seats in their marching bands, orchestras, and choirs right now.
No music major required.
They want future engineers, nurses, and business majors who play an instrument.
They find you.
You build a free profile, and college scouts come to you.
HOW IT WORKS
Let your music pay for college.
1. Build Your Profile
Drop the standard academic info (GPA, location) alongside your musical identity (instrument, performance videos) to build a powerful recruiting profile.
2. Find the Cash
Search through a massive database of over 15,000 scholarships. You will instantly see which schools match both your future career major and your musical goals.
3: Secure an Application Pledge.
When colleges find you on CommonTime, they can send you an Application Pledge. This locks in awesome perks like free application fee waivers, audition passes, and early scholarship spots years before you even graduate high school.
Built for Every Level, Not Just First Chair
"I thought my music wouldn't matter for college unless I majored in it. CommonTime matched me with schools where I can keep playing trumpet in the marching band while earning my Engineering degree."
— Aaron T., High School Junior & Future Engineer
OUR PRIVACY PROMISE
Your profile, your data.
Your digital identity belongs to you. We’ve built a talent network based on trust, not data sales.
We never, and will never, sell student information.
Colleges only see your contact details when you explicitly choose to share them.
See How CommonTime Works
Get recruited and let your music pay for college!
Frequently Asked Questions
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You're not alone. The college search process can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to figure out how music fits into your future. CommonTime Pathways is a networking platform that connects young musicians who want to stay musical in college with the right opportunities.
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Not at all! Colleges are looking for musicians at all skill levels, not just the top performers. Whether you’re first chair or part of the ensemble, your musical abilities bring value to universities. Many scholarships are available for passionate musicians who may not be aiming for elite conservatories but still play an important role in enriching campus musical life. It’s about dedication and contribution, not just talent at the highest level.
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Perfect! Many students pursue other academic paths while staying active in college music ensembles. You don’t need to major in music to receive recognition and support for your musical talents. Music can enhance your college experience and provide valuable opportunities, no matter your field of study.
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Creating your profile is simple. You’ll need to provide:
Academic interests, preferred majors, and GPA
Geographic preferences and ideal school size
Musical achievements or experience
Financial aid needs
A performance video to boost your visibility with college scouts and admissions officers
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College recruiters, professors, and admissions directors can log into our platform and search for students based on instrument, location, academic interests, and other criteria. They can then directly invite you to connect, just like how athletic recruiters work.
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Yes! Once you're on the platform, you can directly message faculty members, just like how student athletes can contact coaches. This breaks down the traditional barriers that have made music recruiting so difficult.
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CommonTime Pathways helps you discover scholarship opportunities in two ways:
Searchable Scholarship Database: When you create a free profile, you gain access to our comprehensive database of music scholarships from hundreds of partner institutions across the country. Search and filter by your instrument, academic interests, school location, and more to find scholarships that match your profile — whether you're planning to major in music or participate in ensembles while studying something else.
$20,000 CommonTime Education Scholarship: We also offer our own no-essay scholarship for high school musicians. Awards range from $1,500 to $10,000 and are available to both music majors and non-majors who plan to participate in college ensembles. The application deadline is February 1, 2026, and there's no application fee. Learn more about the CommonTime Education Scholarship.