FOR STUDENTS
Your Music is Worth More Than You Think.
Get paid to keep playing. Find college scholarships for musicians of all levels and majors. You don’t need to be a pro to get funded, you just have to stay musical.
$5 Billion is waiting for students like you.
Every year, massive amounts of music scholarships go unclaimed because students assume they have to be conservatory-bound to qualify.
We help you get your share.
HOW TO GET STARTED
Turn Your Music Into Opportunity
1. Start with a Search
Use our free search tool to find colleges, programs, ensembles, and scholarships that support student musicians — no account needed.
2. Create a Free Profile to Get Matched & Seen
Build your free profile to:
- Get personalized Commonality Score™ matches
- Save and compare schools
- Upload a short performance video so recruiters can discover your music
3: Connect with Recruiters
Message faculty directly, join virtual info sessions, and meet recruiters at Recruitapalooza — our multi-day online college fairs for student musicians.
SHOWCASE YOUR TALENT
Get recruited with your CommonTime profile.
Whether you’re majoring in music or just want to keep playing, your profile helps colleges see your talent and reach out directly.
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.