What is the JC Instrumental Scholarship Fund?
Community-building and inclusivity are an important part of our mission at JC Instrumental. We never want anyone to be denied the chance to learn an instrument or experience musical enrichment because of financial constraints. With this goal in mind we have established the JC Instrumental scholarship fund to help support young students who are unable to pay full price for our classes.
Who is Eligible for a JCI Scholarship?
Because of our limited funds, at this time scholarship is available only to students who are: a) under 18, and b) enrolling in a group class. Unfortunately, at this time we cannot offer scholarship funds to adult learners or to anyone taking private lessons. This may change in the future.
How Can I Apply for a JC Instrumental Scholarship for My Young Student?
If you would like to apply for scholarship, please send an email to jcinstrumental@gmail.com with the subject “scholarship.” In your email, we ask that you tell us a little about your student’s interest in the instrument or class, and that you affirm that paying full price for one of our group classes would be a financial hardship for you. This is entirely on the honor system. There is no quantitative measure we use to verify financial need, and we will not ask you to share details beyond what you are comfortable with. We ask that you recognize our funds are limited and that you only ask for what you need, but we also believe that most people in our community are honest. We do ask that you reaffirm your statement of need for each subsequent semester in which you are asking for a scholarship.
Can I Apply for a Scholarship if I am an Existing Student?
Yes, current students are eligible for scholarship funds based on the same process as new students. You may ask for a scholarship even if you have paid full price in the past. We recognize circumstances change and we would hate to have anyone’s musical journey cut short.
What Do JC Instrumental Scholarships Cover?
Generally our scholarships cover 50% of the cost of a group class ($40 per month for kids classes or $60 per month for teen classes) with the client being responsible for the balance. In rare circumstances (such as loss of a job or a medical emergency), we might be able to offer 100% scholarships, but this would require a more in-depth explanation of need.
How Can I Give to the JC Instrumental Scholarship Fund to Ensure Awards Continue to Be Available to Those in Need
1) Give at Checkout- The easiest way to give to the JC Instrumental Scholarship Fund, is to check the box when you book your next lesson package that says “Donate an extra 10% to the JCI Scholarship Fund.” This will add 10% to the cost of your package, and the balance will be held in the Scholarship Fund to be awarded.
2) Attend Our Events- All of the events in our space ask for suggested donation, which unless otherwise specified go entirely to the Scholarship Fund. The most common of these events is our Open Mic, held the first Tuesday of each month, with a $5 suggested donation. These suggested donations are exactly what the name implies. No one is turned away from our events, and you are free to give more or less than $5.
3) Give to One of Our Fundraisers- We occasionally hold fundraisers, through gofundme.com or in person, for the Scholarship Fund. You can give directly through these programs.
4) Send Us an Email- If none of these ways of giving to the fund work for you, you can always send us an email at jcinstrumental@gmail.com and we can arrange a donation.
No matter how you give, we appreciate you helping us to ensure that no one misses out on the joy of music. Thank you.