Tuition Information
Our tuition is kept as low as possible, covering only about 25% of the cost of participation. Season fees are set by the Board of Directors in early spring and are non-refundable. PYP’s robust financial aid program is available to any musician who needs financial assistance. No musician is turned away for lack of ability to pay.
Tuition can be paid in full while registering or over the course of the season by setting up a tuition payment plan.
- Tuition prices for PYP’s 101th Season (2024-2025):
- Portland Youth String Ensemble (PYSE) - $1,400
- Portland Youth Percussion Ensemble (PYPE) - $1,500
- Portland Youth Wind Ensemble (PYWE) - $1,500
- Portland Youth Conservatory Orchestra (PYCO) - $1,500
- Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) - $1,700
Note: Musicians who are enrolling in the PYP program for the first time have a one-time $50 registration fee. This fee is waived for musicians who are eligible for the Federal Free/Reduced Meal program.
$50 discount applied if tuition is paid in full.
Tuition must be paid in full by April 30, 2025.
Questions? Contact Mitchell Nelson at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Financial Aid and Tuition Assistance
We can help with tuition! No musician is turned away for lack of ability to pay. We believe that great music education should be accessible to every child. We provide need-based tuition assistance, as well as financial support for private lessons, instrumental rental, concert attire, and other expenses as needed.
PYP offers payment plans, as well as financial aid packages that may also include support for private lessons, music instrument rental, concert attire, and other expenses. After your musician passes the audition and is placed in an ensemble, you will receive an enrollment packet, including a financial aid application.
Financial aid and scholarship funds are all derived from our endowment, which is supported by gifts from generous alumni and other supporters over the years. Many of these gifts are restricted for this purpose; we can’t spend these funds on anything else! In 2024-2025, musicians received nearly $50,000 in scholarships, financial aid, and private lesson scholarships.
We offer a 10% sibling discount that applies to all families with two or more children participating in a PYP ensemble. The discount applies to each musician’s tuition amount.
If your musician is eligible for the Federal Free/Reduced Meals program or is in foster care, they are eligible for a full tuition financial aid package and you are not required to fill out the entire form. Check the appropriate box on the form and submit it with appropriate documentation attached to verify your status.
For any inquiries about financial aid, please email Mitchell at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
- How to apply for financial aid:
To apply for financial aid, please submit:
- The financial aid application form
- The first page of your 1040 tax return (please black out any social security numbers or bank account numbers).
Note: Don’t worry if your financial situation changed since the last tax year. You can explain any circumstances on the application form. We completely understand!
- Proof of eligibility:
PYP accepts the following documents as proof of eligibility:
- A free/reduced meals eligibility letter from the student’s school
- Proof that a child is in foster care
- The most recent year’s federal tax return (form 1040)
- A current SNAP benefits award letter can be accepted, but must be accompanied by proof that the student is a dependent of the parent/guardian receiving SNAP benefits
Note: The financial application process is confidential.