Instrument Expense Assistance Program
Instrument Expense Assistance Program
SAWS offers several merit and need-based scholarships to help families with the costs associated with renting, purchasing and maintaining instruments. Aid is distributed as a reimbursement after a family’s application is received and accepted.
Qualifying expenses include:
- Instrument Rental (up to $200 per applicant)
- Instrument Purchase (up to $200 per applicant)
- Instrument Repair or Maintenance, including piano tuning, new strings, bow re-hair or instrument supplies (up to $200 per applicant)
Applications will be accepted throughout the year until November 1st, or until the yearly budgeted funds have been exhausted.
1. Student’s teacher must be a member of SAWS with dues paid in full at the time of application. Student’s teacher must submit a letter of recommendation here.
2. Student (or parent) must fill out and submit an online application answering all questions in sufficient detail.
3. The family must have a genuine need for financial assistance and explain that need in the form below.
4. Please rent/purchase from a local, independent shop specializing in string instruments or pianos, if you have access to one in your community.
5. First time applicants will receive priority consideration. Multiple students in the same family may apply.
6. Student must submit a video or audio recording of themselves performing a polished piece from the Suzuki repertoire (for pre-twinkle students please post a short video of a practice session showing parent and child working on pre-twinkle learning activities). YouTube video recordings are preferred. You can paste the link of your YouTube video in the form or you can email the YouTube link or mp3 recording to instrumentgrants@suzukiwashington.org. Remember to state in the email your student’s name, piece, and composer. Recipients will be notified by email after the scholarship committee has voted.
7. Funds will be distributed as a reimbursement check from SAWS. To receive funds please begin saving your receipts after receiving notification that you will be a recipient of the award. You can submit receipts back to the beginning of January of the year you receive the award. When you have receipts totaling the amount of the award, please send copies of your receipts in an email to instrumentgrants@suzukiwashington.org Please put your child’s name and “SAWS Rental Assistance” in the subject line.