Financial Aid

About Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available for students of any age and ability level to support the cost of CMCB tuition!

We have a limited amount of funds, and we do our best to eliminate financial barriers. While we are unable to offer 100% full scholarships for tuition, we will work to come up with an arrangement that will work for the needs of each individual family. Registration fees and Instrument Rental fees are not eligible for Financial Aid.

Current Application Cycle

2026-2027 School Year

Students must submit a new Financial Aid application each year.

Applications for the 26-27 school year will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting May 21st, 2026.

The Priority Registration window begins on May 6th at 12pm, and you will see below the new 26-27 Financial Aid application is now live. Applications will be accepted up until the fourth week from the start of programming in the fall. Applications must be submitted within four weeks of your first day of programming.

Summer 2026

For students who received a Financial Aid award for programming during the 25-26 school year, all current allocations awarded to students during this period will automatically be applied to any summer programming invoices. There will not be an opportunity for students who fall into this category to apply for additional aid.

Students who were not awarded Financial Aid during the 25-26 school year can apply for Financial Aid using the forms below.

Interested in the Summer Arts & Music Program (SAAM)? New this year, we are offering a Sliding Scale Tuition Program which does NOT require you to apply for Financial Aid! Click the button below to learn more:

Learn More about SAAM Sliding Scale Tuition

2025-2026 School Year

We are currently accepting Financial Aid applications for NEW students and families who are just beginning programming before May 15th, 2026. After May 15th, no additional Financial Aid will be awarded for programming during the 25-26 school year. Applications must be submitted within four weeks of your first day of programming.

We are no longer accepting Financial Aid applications for current students who have been taking programming prior to March.

How to Apply

Please note that you must log into a Google account to view the application. A complete application consists of the following:

  • The first two pages from your most recent 1040 tax return (see example) and any supplemental schedules
  • A completed Financial Aid application (see below)
  • (optional) A letter explaining any additional expenses or extenuating circumstances

2026-2027 Financial Aid Application:

In English
In Spanish (CMCB Formulario de Ayuda Financiera)
In Chinese (财务援助申请表)

Financial Aid supporting documents can be submitted by:

  • Upload: upload your documents directly using the last question of the Financial Aid application
  • Mail: Community Music Center of Boston ATTN: Financial Aid Committee, P.O. Box 171737, Boston, MA 02117
  • Email: Send clear images of supporting documentation to financialaid@cmcb.org
  • Bring to: the CMCB Front Office (34 Warren Ave, Boston, MA 02116)

The Financial Aid Committee cannot process incomplete applications. Awards will vary based on individual circumstances. Please note that students receiving financial aid are not eligible for other discounts.

For your security, please black out sensitive information (SSN) on documents prior to submitting them. All information submitted is strictly confidential and not shared with any outside parties.

After you’ve submitted your completed application, here is what you can expect next:

  • You will receive a confirmation from financialaid@cmcb.org that your completed application has been submitted. 
  • Your application will be processed by our Financial Aid Committee. Applications are processed in the order that they are received.
  • A decision will be made by the committee and communicated to you from financialaid@cmcb.org. Please allow at least 2 weeks for the deliberation process.
  • Once you have registered with us, or if you have already registered with us, your Financial Aid decision will be applied to your invoice.

Please direct any questions regarding financial aid to 617-482-7494 x 54 or financialaid@cmcb.org.