FINANCIAL AID AND POLICIES
Need-based
Financial Aid
Founded on the vision that everyone should have access to quality music education, each year, the Berkshire Music School allocates funding of financial assistance for students with financial need.
Family members may submit one Financial Aid Application with all family members applying for assistance on the same form. Please fill out a registration form for each student applying by clicking the button below.
How to Apply For Financial Aid:
ONLINE
Click the button below to fill out a Financial Aid Application. Then, click the Registration Form button above to register for lessons. A staff member will contact you upon receiving your application.
IN-PERSON
Visit the BMS office at 30 Wendell Avenue in Pittsfield, MA. Office hours are Monday- Friday 10am-5pm.
BY PHONE
Call the BMS office at 413-442-1411 during office hours, Monday - Friday 10am-5pm, and a staff member will assist you.
BY MAIL
Fill-out our registration form and financial aid application and return via email to sprouty@berkshiremusicschool.org or by post to 30 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, MA 01201. A staff member will contact you to schedule your lessons. Click the buttons below to download our registration and financial aid forms.
You may drop off the completed application at the school during normal business hours (Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm during the summer); or, if you prefer, you may mail completed applications to:
BERKSHIRE MUSIC SCHOOL
ATTN: SARAH PROUTY
30 WENDELL AVENUE
PITTSFIELD, MA 01201
or email the completed application to the following email address:
sprouty@berkshiremusicschool.org
If you have any questions or wish to confirm the arrival of your application, please feel free to call the office at 413-442-1411 and ask for Sarah Prouty.
THE BERKSHIRE MUSIC SCHOOL IS A 501C(3) CHARITABLE INSTITUTION, AND BY LAW MAY NOT DISCRIMINATE IN THE AWARDING OF FINANCIAL AID. THIS MEANS THAT ALL APPLICANTS MUST FOLLOW THE SAME APPLICATION PROCEDURES. NO SPECIAL CONSIDERATION OR EXCLUSIONS CAN BE GIVEN BASED ON RACE, SEX, RELIGION, ETHNIC ORIGIN, DISABILITY, OR AGE. STUDENTS RECEIVING FINANCIAL AID ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BALANCE OF TUITION NOT COVERED BY SCHOLARSHIPS. BMS NOW REQUIRES A VALID CREDIT CARD ON FILE FOR PAYMENT OF THE OUTSTANDING BALANCE; AND MONTHLY PAYMENTS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY CHARGED VIA CREDIT CARD AFTER EACH FOURTH LESSON.
Work Study
BMS also offers generous work-study opportunities. Students interested in work-study should contact the BMS office.
In addition to the financial aid listed above, BMS encourages students and their families to take advantage of a wide variety of work study opportunities to assist with the cost of tuition. Some work study options include: special events, administration/office assistance, social media, marketing/promotional assistance, flyer distribution, and building and grounds. Please contact lgranda@berkshiremusicschool.org for more information.
Policies
Berkshire Music School 2024-2025 POLICIES & PROCEDURES
SCHEDULING AND LESSON DAYS: There are 34 scheduled lessons for the 2024-2025 Academic term. All scheduling should be handled through the BMS office.
LATE ARRIVALS: Students arriving more than 10 minutes late for a private lesson will be considered absent without notification and will be charged for the lesson. This includes lessons conducted online.
MAKE-UP FOR PRIVATE LESSONS: There are NO make-up sessions for private lessons; and BMS does not offer refunds or credits for missed lessons. Any lessons or classes missed by a teacher will either be made up or refunded at the end of the academic year (June 30, 2025).
SUSPENSIONS: BMS reserves the right to discontinue any student whose behavior, work, or attendance is unsatisfactory, or whose payment is in arrears.
WITHDRAWAL POLICIES: If the student withdraws from lessons at least a week prior to the start of lessons, a full refund (less a $40 administrative fee) will be issued. Once lessons have begun a 75% refund will be issued on the remaining unused lessons. Refunds are calculated using the total tuition amount for the total number of registered lessons.
FEES & PAYMENT INFORMATION: Advance payment for tuition is required to secure your scheduled time each week. Annual tuition may be paid in full at the time of registration; or “monthly” tuition may be made with recurring payments for four weekly lessons. There is a $30 fee for all returned checks, and a $15 late fee for payments that are two or more weeks past due.
VIRTUAL LESSONS: Virtual lessons are conducted via Facetime, Skype, or ZOOM. Requests for converting in-person to virtual lessons (or vice versa) must be made through the BMS office at least 4 days in advance and cannot be guaranteed.
INCLEMENT WEATHER CLOSINGS: Announcement of closings are recorded on the BMS outgoing voicemail (413-442-1411) and on our Facebook page. Students and teachers may choose to convert on-campus lessons to remote lessons, if agreeable to both parties. Make-up lessons for snow days may be given if time allows. There are no refunds for cancelled lessons due to inclement weather.
TEACHERZONE: The Berkshire Music School utilizes TeacherZone for scheduling and payments. Through this app, students will receive lesson reminders and other notifications. You can use your TeacherZone account to view your lesson schedule, billing and attendance history, and update your credit card. A free app is available for students through the iOS or Android app stores.
COLLEGE CREDIT THROUGH BERKSHIRE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (BCC): BMS offers lessons for credit at Berkshire Community College. High school, college, and adult students who desire college credit can register as BCC students, paying tuition at BMS with waived tuition from the college. BCC fees for credit still apply. Payment in full is required at time of registration.