Portland Conservatory of Music is proud to provide access to music education to students from all financial backgrounds. We currently offer two assistance programs:

  • Need-Based Financial Assistance
  • Merit-Based Extended Lesson Scholarships

In addition, we offer tuition discounts:

  • Multiple Family Member Discounts, where more than one member takes private lessons
  • Military Discounts

We invite you to learn more about our aid programs and encourage you to apply where the need exists.

Need-Based Financial Assistance

Need-based financial aid reduces regular tuition by 30% to 75%. It is awarded annually and applies to all lessons from the date of the award confirmation through the academic year and subsequent summer session. We ask students to reapply in advance of each new academic year, which begins in September.

Need-Based Financial Assistance is meant for those in need and qualifying income levels are based on the Maine MaineCare income guidelines.

Need-Based Financial Assistance is available to both children and adults and can be used for private and/or group lessons.

Should you not meet the income guidelines and still want to apply for financial assistance, please do so, but be sure to tell us why you should receive financial assistance.

Application for Assistance

Extended-Lesson Scholarships

A limited number of Extended-Lesson Scholarships are available for the academic year for private lessons. These scholarships reward dedicated students by providing an additional 15 minutes of free lesson time every week throughout the course of the academic year.

To be eligible for an Extended-Lesson Scholarship, students must be registered at PCM and be intending to take private lessons for the full semester.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, PCM is currently awarding Extended Lesson Scholarships based solely on faculty recommendations, i.e., no auditions required.

If you are seeking an Extended Lesson Scholarship, please contact your PCM instructor for further assistance.

Tuition Discounts

Multiple Family Member Discounts

We offer a multi-family member discount for private lessons only.  If more than one person in an immediate family is taking private lessons at PCM, the discounts will be as follow:

  • The first student in family pays full tuition for private lessons.
  • The second student in family receives 5% off tuition for private lessons.
  • The third and all additional family members receive 10% off tuition for private lessons.

Military Discounts

The Portland Conservatory of Music offers a 5% military discount on private lessons for active duty personnel, reservists, and retired or disabled veterans.

For more information

  • Call us at (207) 775-3356
  • Email us
  • Or stop by the PCM office at 28 Neal Street, Portland, ME 04102