For those of you who are blessed to have private lesson scholarships offered by your band boosters, can you please reply below to how it is run in your district. We are hoping to start a program, and not quite sure where to start. I would primarily like to know the following info:
How much of the lesson cost do you scholarship? How do you determine who qualifies for a scholarship? Is there a type of contract students sign once they are awarded a scholarship? Does the money get paid directly to the teacher, or does it get reimbursed to the family after proof of payment? Include anything else you think might be helpful! Thanks.
We have a 50% scholarship through the band boosters. I have a short application that asks the students about their goals and commitment levels. The only check on income level is a checkbox that they have applied for free/reduced lunch. Most of my students are on free lunch, so I don't usually verify that. I've never had anyone apply who I didn't feel was deserving and would benefit.
There's a paragraph or so of "contract" language on the application that basically says the scholarship can be discontinued at any time if the directors or lesson teacher feel the student is not living up to their commitment. Student and parent both sign. I've had to threaten that a few times (usually about missing lessons with no notice), but never had to enforce it. I have had a few kids quit lessons after that conversation.
Lesson teachers have a log sheet of who they taught when, students initial that they were in their lesson that day. Lesson teachers submit that to me at the end of the month, I put them all together and give to the boosters, the boosters write one check to the lesson teacher for the whole month. The student/parents are responsible for paying the remainder to the lesson teacher according to the teacher's policies (month in advance usually).
We are a 5A school in the DFW area. I plan lessons scholarships into the budget. This is brought in by a combination of band fees and fundraising. I decide who gets the scholarship and how much. It can be anywhere from 25% to 100%. It's mostly 25% and 505 though and rarely does it go above 50%. For those that apply, I consider if they are on free/reduced lunch, and also their commitment level. If it's someone I believe is committed and has a real need for financial assistance, I'll approve them. We don't have a contract in place as we haven't really had the need (never had any issues). I tell each instructor who is on scholarship and for how much. Then every two weeks they will invoice us for the scholarship amount and invoice the student (parents) for the other part of the cost.
This is becoming common in a lot of places, especially Title One situations. Make it CLEAR to your boosters that the only way your program is going to move forward in terms of individual musicianship is to get these kids in lessons and at the very least masterclasses. Also make it clear to them that their primary function as a booster club is to keep that part of the program alive aside from supporting marching band activities. I used to have as many no overhead fundraisers as possible. These can include pledge drives, snap raise or seek out donations/sponsorships. Make it clear that the money is used for all of the aforementioned things. Some parents may push back, but as long as an approved line item is there then equal access is easy to offer. I got to the point that I could require my entire varsity ensemble to be in lessons since we offered so much help. Best of luck to you!