Policy:

Walker West Music Academy is committed to providing music education to anyone who wants to learn. To support this mission, we have historically relied on funding from individuals, corporations, and foundations.

Currently, our Tuition Assistance and Financial Aid programs are temporarily suspended. Due to an increase in demand, we are entering a focused period of fundraising and system-building. This will ensure our Tuition Assistance Fund is robust, transparent, and ready to support even more families for years to come.

Requirements:

To maintain eligibility for Tuition Assistance, students must adhere to attendance policies. Each student is allowed one lesson cancellation per session with the opportunity for a make-up lesson. Additional student-initiated cancellations may impact future Tuition Assistance eligibility.

Families receiving assistance are required to support the Academy through volunteer efforts, with student and family skills and interests taken into consideration. Volunteer opportunities include assisting with recitals, events, performances, front desk coverage, fundraiser support, maintenance, and general upkeep of the Academy.

Procedure:

New students and families should follow these steps to enroll:

Step 1: Schedule a Trial Lesson
Submit the Trial Lesson Registration Form, and we will match you with a member of the Student Services team who will guide you through the process. Your member of the Student Services team will help schedule your trial lesson based on your instrument of interest and teacher availability.

Step 2: Complete Registration
After your trial lesson, work with your member of the Student Services team to finalize your enrollment by submitting the New Student Registration Form (provided by your member of the Student Services team) and making your tuition payment to secure your spot.

Step 3: Apply for Tuition Assistance (Optional)
After completing Steps 1 and 2, a member of the Student Services team will send you the link to apply for Tuition Assistance.

Families interested in Tuition Assistance must apply once per year, though awards are distributed each semester based on available funding. At the time of registration, each student must submit:

• A $49.73 annual registration fee (per family)
• Tuition for the first two lessons ($88.08 to $96.36 per student under age 55; half-off for students 55+)
• A completed New Student Registration Form and Tuition Assistance Application

A committee reviews applications in the order they are received, and processing may take several weeks. Assistance amounts are determined based on available funds, the student’s financial need, payment history, investment made by the family, commitment to lessons (attendance record and duration of study), and the instrument/genre of music being studied. If the awarded assistance does not meet a family’s financial needs, students may:

1. Continue lessons with a payment plan arranged through the Chief Operating Officer, or
2. Meet with Chief Operating Officer to discuss other options.

No One Is Turned Away! We believe financial barriers should not prevent anyone from pursuing music education. Resources are available to make lessons affordable. We encourage all interested students and families to trust the process and grow through music with us.

Special Offer for Adults Over 55: Adults over 55 can enjoy 50% off regular session costs for individual lessons, supporting lifelong learning in music.

For questions, contact us at student@walkerwest.org or 651-224-2929.