Financial Aid Program
Financial aid grants are awarded on the basis of financial need and demonstrated interest. You need not be an accomplished musician to apply. Applications are judged by the Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School (VOM) Scholarship Committee and awarded to those who have already applied and been accepted to VOM. Award amounts are based on financial need and anticipated travel expense. There are special scholarships, in larger amounts, awarded to promising students traveling from abroad, and for other special circumstances. The financial aid program is supported by private donations, 85% of which come from the attendees of the fiddle school, and is open to all VOM attendees.
The funds supporting financial aid at VOM include:
Peter Connelly Fund
In 1987 we established the PC Fund to raise money to provide financial assistance to those in need. The PC Fund is open to all attendees of Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School (VOM), is wholly supported by private donations and is a part of the Scottish Fiddlers of California, a 501(c)3 entity.
Cali McKasson-Kovin Memorial Fund
With sadness in our hearts at the 2019 Valley of the Moon Scottish Fiddling School, we honored the memory of our dear friend and musician extraordinaire, Cali McKasson. Her loss was deeply felt, as was her presence in our sharing of memories and tributes to her. A special fund to provide financial assistance for young musicians with a particular emphasis on promoting diversity in the student body where possible was set up with generous donations from campers. Each year, at least one financial aid applicant shall be named as the “Cali McKasson-Kovin Memorial Fund recipient”.
The VOM financial aid program is grateful for ongoing support from the Learning Opportunities Endowment Fund (for all applicants) and the Maury Richmond Endowment Fund (for youth applicants who have worked to raise funds to attend VOM), and is privileged to be a recipient of a generous grant provided by the Williamson Foundation (wfmusic.org) from which several special awards are given.
All of the funds and endowments are wholly supported by private donations and are a part of the Scottish Fiddlers of California, a 501(c)3 entity.
Please direct any questions about the financial aid application process to vomscholarship@comcast.net.