Tyla Established That Girl Music Scholarship

The program provides 10 undergraduate music students with $5,000 in financial support.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Scholarships

Bold vector editorial illustration of a brass musical note on a wooden stand, representing an arts scholarship initiative.
Artist Tyla has partnered with Sony Music and the IIE to launch a scholarship program providing $5,000 awards to 10 female undergraduate music students. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Artist Tyla has launched the That Girl Music Scholarship, a new initiative providing $5,000 awards to 10 female undergraduate students pursuing music and arts degrees. The program aims to assist aspiring artists in furthering their academic and professional goals.

Why it matters

The initiative seeks to alleviate financial barriers for students, specifically prioritizing those attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities to support their paths toward careers in the music industry.

Applicants must submit a one-page personal statement, a 30-second video, and school transcripts to demonstrate financial need and academic excellence. Recipients will also receive concert tickets and a meet-and-greet session with Tyla.

The players

Tyla

Tyla is an artist and performer who is currently touring in support of her second studio album.

Sony Music

Sony Music is a multinational entertainment company that is partnering with the scholarship program.

International Institute for Education

The International Institute for Education is a non-profit organization focused on international educational exchange and student support programs.

The details

Partnership between Sony Music and the International Institute for Education, the program is designed to provide tangible financial aid to full-time undergraduate students. Candidates are expected to meet stringent academic requirements to be selected for the grants.

Timeline

  1. January 2026: The Africa tour leg begins.

  2. July 2026: Tyla released her second studio album A*POP.

  3. October 2026: The scholarship program was announced.

  4. November 2026: The North American tour leg begins.

Culture Shift

The rise of artist-led educational grant programs for music students represents a growing industry trend that addresses the accessibility gap in arts education. This initiative reflects a broader shift where touring artists leverage their global reach to directly impact professional pipelines.

Eligible undergraduate students can utilize the program to reduce tuition burdens while gaining professional exposure through direct engagement with the artist. Those planning to apply should prepare their required transcripts and video submissions in accordance with upcoming tour schedules.

The takeaway

Students looking to secure funding should emphasize their specific financial need and academic milestones in their video submissions. Developing a clear professional goal early in your arts education can significantly strengthen a scholarship application.

Further reading

Learn more about academic funding and creative opportunities on our Scholarships page.

More information

Submit your application through the scholarship application and information portal.

Live Poll

Do you believe corporate-sponsored scholarships effectively improve educational access for aspiring musicians in your area?