Sponsorship Program

Financial Aid for Music Education: Our Congregational Sponsorship

Program

We understand that the cost of music lessons can be prohibitive for many families. At the very least, it can force families into some hard choices between music and other activities.


To help alleviate the cost of lessons and make music more accessible to all students, DHCSM offers financial aid for music education, including our Congregational Sponsorship Program. This program pairs students who may need assistance paying for music lessons with members of the Desert Hills Presbyterian Church who want to support an arts education for area youth. Students must be enrolled in elementary, middle or high school to qualify for the program.

How it Works

STUDENTS AND FAMILIES

If you would like to be considered for financial assistance through congregational sponsorship, simply click on the “Apply Now” button below and fill out the form. A committee will review the application. If it’s determined the student is a fit, he or she will be matched with a donor in the DHPC congregation who has volunteered to give either a certain percentage or a certain dollar amount in support of a child’s music education.


Sponsorship is typically for one school year (August through May), and can be renewed if both the sponsor and the family agree to continue the relationship. Families can apply and join the program at any time of the year.


If selected for the program, students/families must sign a contract saying they agree to . . .


  • Log consistent practice time, as determined by the instructor. Parents must sign off that the practice time was completed and send the practice logs with the students to their lessons each week. For children under age 10, parental involvement in practice time is strongly encouraged.
  • Demonstrate consistent progress, as determined by their instructors.
  • Participate in at least two (2) performances each semester (August – December and January – May). Performances can include recitals, studio classes, performances in the community, etc. Students should invite their sponsor to attend the performances.
  • Maintain communication with their sponsor throughout the year, including sending thank-you cards, notes updating the sponsor on progress, short videos, invitations to performances, and so on. Students should also work with instructors to coordinate inviting the sponsor to attend lessons on occasion.
  • Stay current with monthly payments of any balance due where sponsorship does not cover 100% of a student’s tuition.


In exchange, sponsors will pay a set amount – either a percentage of lesson cost (i.e., 25%, 50%, 75% or 100%) or a set dollar amount (i.e., $100) – to DHCSM on behalf of the student on the first of every month. The student will be responsible for any remaining balance due.


Acceptance into the sponsorship program is not based solely on financial need. The committee considers a much fuller picture, to include family situation, the number of children enrolled in the music school, a student’s goals and commitment to music, reasons for wanting to take music lessons, and more.

APPLY NOW

SPONSORS

Want to make a difference in the life of a child? Sponsor a music student! Simply fill out the sponsorship form and the DHCSM committee will pair you with a student/family who needs assistance with covering the cost of tuition.


Sponsorship is not solely a financial transaction. Instead, sponsors are invited into a child's musical journey and, though this unique connection, can build relationships that help a child succeed in music and beyond. Here's how to become a part of it:


  • Click on the button below to fill out the sponsorship form stating how much you’d like to give. This can be a percentage of the monthly cost of lessons (e.g., 25%/50%/75%/100%), or it can be a flat dollar amount (e.g., $100/month). Sponsorship forms are also available at the church office.
  • Sponsorships run August through May each year; however, you can join the sponsorship program and be paired with a student at any time. If you volunteer to be a sponsor in October, for instance, and you are paired with a family who applies for sponsorship in November, your sponsorship would run November through May.
  • Sponsorship of a specific student or family can be renewed for the following school year, if both sponsor and student/family choose to continue the arrangement.
  • Monthly sponsorship payments are due by the 10th of each month.
  • Please plan to attend your sponsored student’s performances and other events by invitation, as much as you are able.
BECOME A SPONSOR
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