Gulf Coast Cruinniú Scholarships

The Gulf Coast Cruinniú provides an immersive learning environment for Traditional Irish Music.

We are continuing a long-standing Irish tradition in which music is passed from generation to generation to ensure its preservation.

To this end we are awarding need-based scholarships to students who demonstrate musical ability and show strong potential to excel within the Irish music tradition and who would not otherwise be able to attend without receiving a scholarship.

What’s Included in the Scholarships

There are three types of scholarships available.

• Full scholarship that covers the three-day tuition.
• Full scholarship plus ½ the cost of an on campus room – it is incumbent on the applicant to either cover the remaining room cost or find someone to share the room with. All rooms are double occupancy. 
• Partial scholarship that covers a percentage of the tuition only. 

The type of scholarship that is awarded to a particular student is determined by the Scholarship Committee and availability of the scholarship funds. The scholarships will not cover travel, off campus lodging, meal expenses nor the non-student costs of accompanying parents or guardians (i.e., meals and lodging).

Application Requirements

Applicants must already play an instrument and submit an application along with a 350 – 400 word essay describing why they need the scholarship and how they hope to benefit by attending the event. The essay should also include the instrument(s) you play, how long you’ve been playing and who your teacher is (if applicable). Scholarships will be awarded based on a combination of need and musical enthusiasm.

Process for Submission

PLEASE NOTE: Do not enroll until your scholarship has been approved. You will receive a unique code that you must use during enrollment that will reduce your tuition cost based on the type of scholarship awarded. You have until June 1st, 2026 to use the code provided for registration. 

To apply for a scholarship, download this application form.

Email your application form and essay to: scholarships@gulfcoastirish.org

Deadline: A completed application must be submitted no later than April 10th,  2026. 

Because we have a limited number of scholarships to award, please submit an application as soon as possible. 

You should not register online until the scholarship is approved, otherwise, you must pay your balance due and then be reimbursed if and when the scholarship is approved. 

To discuss scholarships, email the scholarship committee at scholarships@gulfcoastirish.org. Upon receipt of the scholarship application and essay, the committee will make a decision within four days and then inform the applicant of the decision.

Requirement to Assist During Event

All of our scholarship students or, if considered too young, their parents or guardians are asked to volunteer 3 hours over the course of GCC to assist the retreat in support of our program. Examples of such assistance include working as a classroom/instructor liaison, working in the Cruinniú office, at the sales table during evening concerts, or helping set up the retreat or helping tear down when it is over. You will be contacted prior to the retreat and a schedule will be arranged. Event assistance will not interfere with the students class schedule.

Under age 18 students must have a parent or guardian accompany the student for the volunteer duties.

Help Support the Gulf Coast Cruinniú Scholarships. 

All of our scholarship money comes from funds donated by friends and supporters of our event.  You can help fund our scholarships and give a deserving student a chance to participate that may not otherwise have that chance.  Donate here and specify that you want your donation to be used for scholarship funds.  Thank you.