Sliding Scale & Financial Aid Program (2026-2027)
musiConnects believes that all people deserve the chance to learn and make music on a string instrument, regardless of their ability to pay. musiConnects’ tuition structure is pay-what-you-can. Families self-select the cost – including 0% – that best meets their needs.
Step 1: Estimate your Sliding Scale Level
Use the chart below to estimate the sliding scale level that best matches your financial situation.
musiConnects believes that all people deserve the chance to learn and make music on a string instrument, regardless of their ability to pay. musiConnects’ tuition structure is pay-what-you-can. Families self-select the cost – including 0% – that best meets their needs.
Step 1: Estimate your Sliding Scale Level
Use the chart below to estimate the sliding scale level that best matches your financial situation.
- In the left-hand column, choose your household size (the number of people living in your home).
- In the top column, find the income range that is closest to how much income your family/household earns per year.
- Where your selected row and column meet, find the sliding scale level (% of full tuition) that is closest to your family income. Use this level to guide your final choice in the next step.
Income Limits are taken from BPDA, based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy HUD FMR Area.
Sliding Scale Level
Household Size |
Income under $12K |
$12K-32K |
$33K-52K |
$53K-72K |
$73K-90K |
$91K-110K |
$111K-130K |
$131K-150K |
$151K-170K |
$170K+ |
1 |
0% |
20% |
40% |
50% |
70% |
80% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
2 |
0% |
20% |
30% |
50% |
60% |
80% |
90% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
3 |
0% |
20% |
30% |
40% |
60% |
70% |
80% |
90% |
100% |
100% |
4 |
0% |
10% |
20% |
40% |
50% |
60% |
70% |
80% |
100% |
100% |
5 |
0% |
10% |
20% |
30% |
50% |
60% |
70% |
80% |
90% |
100% |
6+ |
0% |
10% |
20% |
30% |
40% |
40% |
60% |
70% |
80% |
100% |
Step 2: Determine your Tuition Amount
Use the chart below to find the specific amount that your family would pay per year at the suggested tuition level. Tuition is billed by trimester during the second or third week of the trimester (generally in October, January, and April). Students using musiConnects-facilitated instruments will be charged a $50 fee (in addition to any tuition) once a year.
Note: New beginners always take 30 min lessons. Experienced students may switch to 45 min or 60 min lessons if their teacher recommends it.
> If the suggested tuition amount works for you, please enter it into your registration form.
> If the suggested tuition amount does not work for you, please select a lower tuition percentage and enter it into your registration form.
Tuition Percentage
Lesson Length |
0% |
10% |
20% |
30% |
40% |
50% |
60% |
70% |
80% |
90% |
100% |
30 min |
$0 |
$180 |
$360 |
$540 |
$720 |
$900 |
$1,080 |
$1,260 |
$1,440 |
$1,620 |
$1,800 |
45 min |
$0 |
$243 |
$486 |
$729 |
$972 |
$1,215 |
$1,458 |
$1,701 |
$1,944 |
$2,187 |
$2,430 |
60 min |
$0 |
$297 |
$594 |
$891 |
$1,188 |
$1,485 |
$1,782 |
$2,079 |
$2,376 |
$2,673 |
$2,970 |
The full cost of private lessons in the 2026-27 program year is as follows:
- 30 min lessons: $1,800 for the year
- 45 min lessons: $2,430 for the year
- 60 min lessons: $2,970 for the year
Step Three: Confirm with musiConnects
musiConnects’ sliding scale structure is pay-what-you-can. This means that participants can self-select the cost — including 0% — that best meets their needs. The online registration form offers a drop-down menu in which you can self-select your tuition percentage.
After you submit the registration form, musiConnects staff members will follow up with you to confirm your tuition level, make arrangements for an instrument loan if needed, and confirm the program schedule.
musiConnects’ sliding scale structure is pay-what-you-can. This means that participants can self-select the cost — including 0% — that best meets their needs. The online registration form offers a drop-down menu in which you can self-select your tuition percentage.
After you submit the registration form, musiConnects staff members will follow up with you to confirm your tuition level, make arrangements for an instrument loan if needed, and confirm the program schedule.