Scholarships and Tuition

In-state tuition at Queens College and the Aaron Copland School of Music is among the lowest in the country. American citizens who move to New York State can establish state residency within a year. Even international and out-of-state resident tuition costs are far lower than those at comparable private institutions; Queens College regularly appears on rankings of the best value and most affordable colleges. 

Queens College offers a variety of scholarships to current and incoming students. In addition, the Aaron Copland School of Music disburses hundreds of thousands of dollars in student scholarships and awards each year.  

Our programs are eligible for the Excelsior Scholarship program (open to New York State residents who meet eligibility requirements) and the New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). 

High-achieving first-time college students should consider applying to the Macaulay Honors College, which covers all tuition costs for in-state students, and provides many other opportunities. Be aware that the deadlines for admission to the Maccaulay Honors College are earlier than those for general admission to Queens College. 

Copland Scholars 

The Copland Scholarships are our most prestigious awards. Open to classical performers in the bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, these scholarships cover four years of tuition at the undergraduate level or two years at the graduate level. The awards are open to US citizens and international students, to in-state and out-of-state residents. Recipients are selected through competitive audition; all applicants who audition for our programs are considered for the award.  

Jazz Scholarships 

The program in Jazz at the Aaron Copland School of Music grants a significant number of awards and scholarships each year. Our programs are supported by generous donations from the ASCAP Foundation, the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation, and scholarship funds in honor of distinguished faculty, including Jimmy Heath and Sir Roland Hanna.