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Scholarship Opportunities 2026

Photo by: Drum Corps International

2026 Scholarship Opportunities

More than $85,000 in scholarship funds will be awarded to deserving DCI performers enrolled and participating in summer programming on the 2026 DCI Tour.

Friends of DCI

Friends of DCI Scholarships

  • Award: $2,500 each (multiple awards)
  • Purpose: Corps tuition
  • About: Since 2007, the Friends of DCI program, which is made of DCI’s most dedicated supporters, has awarded educational funding to Open and World Class corps members. Up to ten (10) $2,500 scholarships will be awarded to current members in good standing of an Open or World Class corps to be used toward corps tuition.
     

    Under this application process, another two (2) additional $3,000 awards will be provided through the Richardson’s Scholarships, given each year to corps members who wish to apply their skills toward a degree in music education. This award was created by charter members of the Friends of DCI, Ken and Patty Richardson.
     

    Another two (2) $3,000 awards will be awarded as part of the Peth Scholarship. Courtesy of Friends of DCI members Steve and Beth Peth, these awards will be given to participating members pursuing any accredited higher education degree.
     

    Another two (2) $2,500 awards will be awarded as the Stanley Lipinski Memorial Scholarship courtesy of the Walter J. Wiechetek Foundation.
     

    Another two (2) $5,000 awards toward college tuition for a music education major will be awarded as the Kevin Coleman Memorial Scholarship courtesy of Donna Coleman.

  • Requirements: DCI participating corps
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW
Donate

DCI Programs & Memorial Scholarships

All Drum Corps International managed scholarship opportunities in this section can be applied for by submitting ONE (1) application. Please see the application form linked in the descriptions below for further details.

Al Moffatt Memorial Scholarship

  • Award: $1,000
  • Purpose: Corps tuition
  • About: Al Moffatt had a passion for DCI, all drum and bugle corps, and the entire marching music activity. He loved the activity not only for the pageantry and music, but also for the qualities it instills in young people, teaching them to be self-reliant and building good character to carry them through their lives. He loved being with the members and instructors and doing his best to make their show the best it could be. This scholarship is for any active member of the percussion section of a World or Open Class corps member. It can be used to pay current or next season’s corps fees and will be paid by check directly to the corps.
  • Requirements: Percussionist in a DCI corps
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW
Donate

Bones Family Cymbal Scholarship

  • Award: $2,000 each (2 awards)
  • Purpose: Corps tuition
  • About: Created in 2013 by Brent and Michelle Bones to support the Colts Cymbal Line, the Bones Family Cymbal Scholarship was later expanded to include marching cymbal members in all DCI corps. The Bones Family has been involved in multiple areas of the drum corps activity since 1991 and the scholarships have so far provided more than $25,000 in support to members tour fees, plus an additional $25,000 in electronics equipment to several DCI corps thru its CorpsPower program. The purpose of this scholarship is to allow all individuals interested in the drum corps activity the opportunity to march in a drum corps who may not have otherwise had the chance, and be able to apply the experiences and skills learned in drum corps throughout their adult lives. Two scholarships will be awarded to marching cymbal players from any World and Open Class drum corps currently fielding an on-field cymbal line to be used toward current-season tour fees.
  • Requirements: Cymbal line performers
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW

Don Warren Memorial Scholarship

  • Award: $1,500
  • Purpose: College tuition
  • About: Donald W. Warren began The Cavaliers in 1948 to serve local youth in Logan Square, Chicago. To honor the roots of this organization and continue his legacy into the future, the Don Warren Community Service Scholarship recognizes one or more marching members of a Drum Corps International corps who have exhibited remarkable community service beyond their drum corps involvement. This scholarship will be awarded to any participating DCI corps member enrolled in an accredited higher education degree program who epitomizes Mr. Warren’s selflessness and desire to help others.
  • Requirements: Focus on community service & enrolled in college
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW
Donate

Fred J. Miller Memorial Music Education Scholarship

  • Award: $2,000
  • Purpose: College tuition
  • About: The late Fred J. Miller was a man of insight and action. In predicting the new and innovative, he always said that his legacy would be “creating the future.” Today, the Fred J. Miller Music Education Fund salutes his vision with tomorrow’s finest young minds preparing to carry the torch forward. This scholarship award is available to Open and World Class corps members participating in the DCI Tour. Students must be enrolled in college pursuing music education as their primary degree path, and must submit their applications with their respective corps director’s endorsement.
  • Requirements: Enrolled in college, music education major
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW

Gary "Chops" Czapinski Memorial Scholarship

  • Award: $1,000
  • Purpose: College tuition OR corps tuition
  • About: As a longtime visual judge and former drum corps instructor, the late DCI Hall of Fame member Gary Czapinski contributed greatly to innovation and design since the earliest years of DCI history. To this day, Czapinski’s visionary approach to visual design can be seen in every niche of the world of the marching arts. This scholarship will be presented to a high school senior or college student who is a member in good standing of a DCI participating Open or World Class drum corps, and who intends to teach drum corps, winter guard, or marching band remaining committed to our activity by pursuing a career in music education or the arts.
  • Requirements: DCI participant who aspires to teach drum corps, winter guard, or marching band
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW
Donate

George & Patsy Bonfiglio Scholarship

  • Award: $1,000 (2 awards)
  • Purpose: College tuition OR corps tuition
  • About: The George and Patsy Bonfiglio Scholarship honors the remarkable legacy of George Bonfiglio, one of the original founding fathers of Drum Corps International (DCI) and its first Chairperson of the Board. A visionary leader and passionate educator, George dedicated his life to shaping the future of drum corps and providing young adults with the skills and guidance to thrive both in the performing arts and in life. Alongside his wife, Patsy, they created an environment where dedication, hard work, and a love for drum corps flourished—welcoming hundreds of young people into their lives, despite raising five children of their own. This scholarship carries on their mission, providing critical support to ambitious young adults who are not only involved in All-Age, Open and World Class Drum Corps but are also committed to pursuing careers in the Performing Arts, Music, or Education. Two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded annually to deserving candidates who exemplify George and Patsy’s values: passion, hard work, and a drive to make a positive impact on others. Through this scholarship, we honor George and Patsy Bonfiglio’s unwavering commitment to the drum corps community and the next generation of talented performers and educators. Let their legacy inspire you as you take the next step toward achieving your dreams.
  • Requirements: Enrolled in college as a performing arts or music education major or teacher
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW

John Martin Hope Memorial Scholarship

  • Award: $2,000
  • Purpose: College tuition OR corps tuition
  • About: As snare drum captain in the 1968 Garfield Cadets, the late John Martin Hope became devoted to the East Coast corps and remained so for the rest of his life. As his legacy he wanted to make drumming and marching in a DCI corps financially easier for those who followed in his age-worn shoes. He wanted the experience of the drum corps activity to live in hearts and souls forever, as it did in his. This scholarship is awarded annually to a percussionist of a DCI participating corps for the current or next season’s drum corps tour fees, university tuition, books or other activity fees.
  • Requirements: DCI percussionist enrolled in college
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW
Donate

Karen A. Raffa Memorial Scholarship

  • Award: $2,000
  • Purpose: College tuition OR corps tuition
  • About: As a performer, Karen Raffa marched with the St. Patrick’s of Stoneham, Massachusetts and later as an instructor with several Boston area corps. Her greatest role was running a drum corps event along with her husband Frank, “The Beanpot,” in the Boston area for more than 35 years. Raffa tirelessly handled tickets, field arrangements, promotions and multitudes of other tasks to ensure the event was successful. Under their direction, proceeds from the show exceeding $150,000 have been donated to members of the competing corps, local high school musicians and family members of the Cardinal Alumni Association.  The Karen A. Raffa Memorial Scholarship is an award granted to a student enrolled in higher education while a participating member of a DCI drum corps.
  • Requirements: DCI participant enrolled in college
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW
Donate

Marching Arts Safety & Health Scholarship

  • Award: $1,000
  • Purpose: Education tuition OR corps tuition
  • About: Since its inception in 2007, the Drum Corps International-sponsored Marching Arts Safety & Health initiative (MASH) has succeeded in bringing together health care professionals from varied disciplines to provide medical guidance and hands-on assistance to corps members during the DCI Summer Tour. This scholarship will be awarded to a current DCI participating performer who aspires to work as a health, wellness or safety practitioner.
  • Requirements: Enrolled in health, safety or related field of study
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW
Donate

Michael Boo Memorial Scholarship

  • Award: $1,000
  • Purpose: College tuition OR corps tuition
  • About: Affectionately dubbed by many as the “Pen of Pageantry” after working on projects for more than three decades for Drum Corps International, Winter Guard International and Bands of America, there is perhaps no one who has amassed a bigger portfolio of writings about the breadth of the modern-day competitive marching arts than Michael Boo. Michael was sadly taken by cancer in 2020. To support the efforts of the Boo family, The Cavaliers and Drum Corps International in continuing his legacy, a $1,000 scholarship will be presented to the student who intends to remain committed to our activity by pursuing a career in PR, marketing, journalism or writing. Student applicants must be high school seniors or college students who are members in good standing of a DCI participating Open or World Class drum corps.
  • Requirements: PR, Marketing, Writing or Journalism Major & Enrolled in college
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW
Donate

Michelle Owens Memorial Scholarship

  • Award: $1,000
  • Purpose: College Tuition OR Corps Tuition
  • About: Michelle Owens loved the marching arts and was involved in it since she was a sixth grader at New Hartford High School in New York. She was a color guard member of the Crossmen (1990-1994), and after aging out, went on to teach several drum corps including the Crossmen, Cadets, Troopers and Magic of Orlando. With her infectious smile, her sweet disposition and high spirited personality, Michelle was loved by all. She instantly brought a light and warmth to all she interacted with. Whether she was performing or teaching, she knew how to do it with a positive attitude, encouraging spirit and genuine heart.  This annual scholarship will continue her legacy through a color guard member of a current drum corps. It can be used to pay current or next season’s corps fees and will be paid by check directly to the corps.
  • Requirements: Color guard performer in a DCI corps
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW
Donate

Rodney Goodhart Memorial Scholarship

  • Award: $1,000
  • Purpose: College tuition OR corps tuition
  • About: As a drum corps judge for more than three decades, the late Rodney Goodhart contributed greatly toward representing percussion during the early beginnings of Drum Corps International. In his memory, the Rodney Goodhart Memorial Scholarship is awarded each summer to a DCI percussionist.
  • Requirements: Percussionist & enrolled in college
  • Deadline: March 15, 2026
APPLY NOW
Donate

DCI Affiliate Scholarship Opportunities

Scholarship opportunities provided in this section covers the application and requirements for third-party scholarships. For complete details, please follow the links to the related information on our partners’ websites or PDF documentation.

Double Beat Scholarship

  • Award: $2,500
  • Purpose: College tuition OR corps tuition
  • About: Participation in a drum corps requires advanced physical, mental and emotional abilities, and the financial strain can affect all of these, hindering the success of an individual. The Double Beat Percussion Scholarship was started to make the financial commitment easier for the performer.
  • Requirements: Percussionist
  • Deadline: 2026 TBA

Driven by Drum Corps Scholarship

  • Award: Multiple awards: $1,000 each
  • Purpose: Corps tuition
  • About:  The drum corps experience instills many useful skills and values in students who participate, fostering leadership, teamwork and artistic expression while also teaching discipline, hard work, and perseverance. This scholarship aims to support and inspire talented individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication and skill in the marching arts.
  • Requirements: Applicant must be a high school senior or older, must be a contracted member participating in the 2026 season, must demonstrate financial need, and must aspire to have a career in the marching arts (Band Director, Drill Writer, Arranger, Etc.) Any DCI participant who is a high school senior or undergraduate student with at least a 3.0 GPA who is economically underserved or disadvantaged.
  • Deadline: April 1, 2026
APPLY NOW

Gail Schultz International Fellowship

  • Award: Up to $5,000
  • Purpose: Corps tuition
  • About: In memory of longtime Blue Devils supporter Gail Schultz, BD Performing arts and the Schultz family have established the Gail Schultz International Fellowship which will help non-U.S. citizens offset participation costs and achieve their dreams of joining a U.S.-based junior drum and bugle corps of their choice.
  • Requirements: Any NON-USA member of a 2025 DCI participating corps
  • Deadline: February 1, 2026
Learn More AND APPLY

Jason Fritz Memorial Scholarship

  • Award: $500
  • Purpose: Corps tuition
  • About: The late Michigan Drum Corps Scholarship Fund cofounder and board member Jason Fritz was a pillar of the Michigan band community. He believed that student leadership was one of the most important parts of the marching music activity, and that drum majors can influence how good a band can become with dedication to core values of inclusivity and personal growth. The Jason Fritz Memorial Scholarship is administered by the Michigan Drum Corps Scholarship Fund, but is open to all DCI drum majors including those who aren’t from Michigan. The value of the scholarship changes each season, but is generally around $500.
  • Requirements and Restrictions: Any DCI drum major, priority given to those from Michigan
  • Deadline: 2026 TBA
Donate

Jim Ott Scholarship

  • Award: $5,000
  • Purpose: College tuition
  • About: Named after the late DCI Hall of Fame member who was a nationally-known brass arranger for several different drum corps including the Stockton Commodores, Blue Devils and Spirit of Atlanta, the Jim Ott Scholarship is administered by the San Joaquin Valley, California nonprofit Sponsors of Musical Enrichment (SOME). This $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a World or Open Class drum corps member who is a graduating high school senior or college student majoring in music.
  • Requirements and Restrictions: Enrolled or accepeted in college for 2025-2026, music major
  • Deadline: July 1, 2026
APPLY NOW

Jonnie's Goodguys Scholarships

  • Award: Multiple awards up to $1,000 each
  • Purpose: Corps tuition
  • About: Jonnie’s Goodguys is a nonprofit founded in 2006 by drum corps family that educates and advocates for aortic, heart, and connective tissue related health issues. To honor the late Star of Indiana member Jonathan Miller, Jonnie’s Goodguys supports the drum corps activity, encourages everyone to take care of their heart at every age and to #DoGoodStuff. Jonnie’s Goodguys will award scholarships up to $1,000 toward corps members’ dues. Finalists will complete heart health based project work that will determine scholarship amount.
  • Requirements: DCI participating members that complete initial application, interview, and finalist project work dealing with heart health
  • Deadline: January 31, 2026
Learn More and APPLY

MAASIN March With Pride Scholarship

  • Award: Up to $2,000
  • Purpose: Corps tuition
  • About: The Marching Arts Access, Safety & Inclusion Network (MAASIN) is a branch of the Performing Arts Access, Safety & Inclusion Network, a nonprofit organization that increases equity and safety in the performing arts. The March With Pride Scholarship annually awards scholarships to assist LGBTQIA+ performers with their tuition fees and other expenses associated with performing. Recipients are selected based on their demonstrated understanding of LGBTQIA+ inclusion, equity, and liberation coupled with financial need expressed in their application. The scholarship selection committee is composed of LGBTQIA+ MAASIN core organizers, and welcomes applications from all divisions of DCI, including All-Age and SoundSport performers.
  • Requirements: Members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
  • Deadline: OPENS 2/8/2026
LEARN MORE

Michigan Drum Corps Scholarship Fund

  • Award: $500 (multiple awards)
  • Purpose: Corps Tuition
  • About: Founded in 2019, the Michigan Drum Corps Scholarship Fund is a community-focused nonprofit dedicated to making the DCI experience more affordable for all Michigan students. Scholarships are awarded to cover the cost of auditions and tuition every year for students who live in Michigan, attend a Michigan high school or college, or attended one in the past.
  • Requirements: Must be a Michigan high school grad or enrolled in a Michigan college
  • Deadline: 2026 TBA

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