The BSMT is funded by subscriptions from members, sales of publications and donations.  The BSMT is not able to provide funding for the music therapy training courses.

However, we are able to assist students whilst they are actually undertaking the training, but only in a very small way through two funds operated by the BSMT.  They are the Juliette Alvin Music Therapy Fund and the GAA MT Fund.

The Juliette Alvin Music Therapy Fund was established in 1983 in memory of the Founder of both the Society and the Course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.  Awards are made to the Music Therapy students on the Guildhall Course - the one founded by Juliette Alvin.    Only small financial Awards can be made, and these are made to students on the recommendation of the GSMD Course Head.  Recently we have been able to assist students towards payment of their own therapy sessions - a requirement of all training courses.  Support can also be provided for music therapists undertaking research.

The GAA MT Fund was set up in 1998 with a £15,000 donation, which has since been added to with a £10,000 donation.  The interest raised by this capital sum is used to assist students on any of the recognised training courses.  The Awards are made directly through the Heads of each of the Courses and can be used for travelling costs, books, conference attendance etc.  It cannot be used for Course fees.

At the present time there are very limited funds available from the JAMTF and GAA MTF, but it is hoped that in time, through fundraising and donations, that more money will be available.  In both cases students can only be assisted whilst actually on the course.

Students are required to find their own funding and we suggest they contact the Courses themselves for information on bursaries and ideas for funding.  There are various publications which may help that can be found in the public libraries.  The Music Education Yearbook - A Guide for parents, teachers, students and musicians, and published by Rhinegold Publishing Ltd, has a chapter on Scholarships and Grants.  The Directory of Grant-Making Trusts is another worthwhile reference book, published by the Charities Aid Foundation.