Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Answers to Common Questions
Registration
How do I register?
Group Classes
- Optional step: Apply for financial aid (Financial aid applications and pre-registration must be submitted before registering for any classes or lessons. Read more.).
- Browse our programs online.
- Select your course.
- Complete your registration.
Private Lessons
New students
- Submit an inquiry form.
- Our Student Services team will work with you to personally match you with a teacher based on your goals and schedule.
- While you wait: If you’re applying for financial aid, please note that aid applications and pre-registration must be submitted before registering. Apply for aid.
- We’ll send you a personalized registration link. Click on your link, complete your registration, confirm your preferred payment plan, and you’re good to go!
Returning students: Learn how to renew your private lesson package for the next semester.
I forgot my registration login info.
If you’ve forgotten which email address you used to register your account, email us at studentservices@meritmusic.org for help.
Is there a registration fee?
Yes, there is a non-refundable registration fee of $30 per student that must be paid in full at the time of enrollment.
Group class sign-ups and returning private lesson registrations after the registration deadline will incur $15 late fees. There are no late fees for Early Childhood classes or for new private lesson students.
The Alice S. Pfaelzer Conservatory registration fee is $250. Conservatory registration fees may be eligible for payment plans. However, we are not able to prorate these fees for early withdrawals.
If Merit cancels a program or class, your registration fee will be refunded in full.
Do you offer financial aid?
We’re dedicated to providing access to music education through the award of financial aid to eligible families. Aid is based on a sliding scale of up to 80% of tuition.
Please note that while Merit desires to provide as much aid as possible, it is a limited resource and is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
To learn more and apply for financial aid, visit our Student & Parent Resources page.
How do I rent an instrument?
Merit students have the option to rent high-quality and low-cost instruments through our Music & Instrument Library.
Payment
How do I pay?
Click to make an online payment now!
Merit accepts credit card payments via MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. We also offer payments by e-check, check, or cash. Cash payments must be made in person.
Payment plans and auto-payments are also available. See the payment plan/auto-payment drop-down below for more details.
When are payments due?
Registration fees are due in full at the time of registration.
By the first day of programming, full tuition payment or enrollment in monthly auto-payments is required. If you would like to explore other payment options, talk to Student Services to learn more!
Failure to pay within the billing schedule may result in program interruption.
Do you offer payment plans and auto-payments?
Yes! We’re happy to offer payment plans and auto-payments for music classes and lessons.
At checkout during your online registration, you’ll have the option to select an installment plan to break up your tuition payments. If you choose to pay via a payment plan, you’ll be required to add a credit card to your account. This card will be automatically charged on the selected payment schedule. If you want to adjust the payment schedule, simply get in contact with Student Services and we can put you on a schedule that works better for you.
Families are responsible for all installments of their payment plans—even if students withdraw from programming early. We are not able to prorate tuition fees for early withdrawals. Non-payment of payment plan fees could result in additional requests for payments, suspension of services, and referral of accounts to a collection agency.
Need help? Contact us at studentservices@meritmusic.org.
Attendance Policies
How do I report an absence?
Make sure to let your teacher know you won’t be in class by filling out the absence form that pertains to your program.
Please keep in contact with your program manager if you have questions or concerns.
Group Classes
- Attendance is expected at all group classes. We are unable to schedule make-up classes or provide credits for missed classes.
- Students are allowed up to three absences per semester and can be taken for any reason. Please let us know when your child will be absent by filling out our absence form.
- If your student is marked “tardy” to class three times, it will be considered the equivalent of one absent day and will count against your three day allowance.
- If your student will be performing in a concert, attendance is mandatory for the dress rehearsal and the concert. Students are also required to attend the first day of a new semester. Absences are not allowed on any of these mandatory attendance days.
- Merit may dismiss any student from group classes who has three consecutive absences without notification; who has exceeded their absence allotment; who is consistently tardy; or who fails to adhere to their payment schedule.
Private Lessons
- Students are expected to be present and on time for all private lessons. There are no excused absences for private lessons.
- As a courtesy, if a student is unable to attend a scheduled lesson, please contact your instructor directly at least 24 hours in advance.
- If the instructor cancels the lesson or is late, the teacher is responsible for making up that lesson time.
- We are unable to provide refunds, credits, or make-ups for any lessons missed by students.
- Merit may dismiss any student from private lessons with three consecutive absences without notification; who has a pattern of absences; who is consistently tardy; or who fails to adhere to their payment schedule
Early Childhood
Missed Classes
- Need to miss a class? Please email Ms. Frances as far in advance as possible to let her know the date of your absence and to schedule a make-up class.
- Any student who misses three consecutive classes without alerting the Early Childhood program administration may be removed from the class roster.
Make-up Classes
- A total of three make-up classes per semester are permitted so that students can bond and the class culture can grow.
- In order to prevent over-booking any singular class, please do not attend a make-up class without first contacting the Early Childhood program manager.
- All make-up classes must be completed by the last week of the semester.
Music Masters 2 Families
- In order to stay current with the curriculum from week to week, please plan your make-up classes to take place within the same week as the class you intend to miss.
Conservatory
- Students are expected to be present and on time at all Conservatory activities.
- If needed, students may take up to four absences per year. In the case of planned absences, you must fill out an absence form at least one week in advance.
- If your child has an emergency and must be absent unexpectedly, please call or email your program manager or director to inform us as soon as possible. You will still be asked to fill out an absence form for documentation.
- An absence from any Conservatory class counts as one full day of absence.
- If a student is marked tardy to a class on three separate occasions, that will result in one full absence on their attendance record.
- A student may not be absent on a mandatory attendance day (noted in the Conservatory calendar).
- Students who do not meet the attendance requirements of the program may be asked to leave the Conservatory. This may affect their financial aid award eligibility in Merit’s Private Lesson Program.
Making Changes to Classes & Lessons
How do I change my class or lesson schedule?
Group Classes
We encourage all families to register early for your recommended group class to secure your spot and then contact the program manager or director to inquire about schedule changes.
Your program director can help determine if there’s availability during another class time that works better for your schedule or if your child should be placed in a different class due to skill level.
Private Lessons
When registering for Merit’s private lessons, keep in mind that enrollments span the full academic year: fall and spring semesters. If needed, day, time, and length changes can be made to your private lesson package at any time.
If you wish to change the length of your lesson, you must submit this request in writing to the Student Services Department.
Lessons can only be cancelled during the drop/add window between semesters.
How do I withdraw from classes or lessons?
Group Classes
All requests for withdrawal must be received by your respective program manager or director, in writing, before being considered withdrawn. Verbal requests to withdraw do not fulfill this requirement. Notifying the teacher does not constitute notice of withdrawal.
The effective date of withdrawal is the date that the written notice is received, not the last date of the class attended.
Students receiving financial aid or scholarship funding forfeit their award upon withdrawal.
Read about our refund policies under the “What is your refund policy?” FAQ.
Private Lessons
Students who wish to withdraw from lessons must notify both their private teacher and Student Services in writing.
Merit families may withdraw from private lessons at any time. A final lesson date must be negotiated with the private lesson instructor and communicated to Student Services (studentservices@meritmusic.org) as part of the drop notification email. Your private lesson instructor must be cc’d on your drop request.
Students receiving financial aid or scholarship funding forfeit their award upon withdrawal.
Read about our refund policies under the “What is your refund policy?” FAQ.
What is your refund/cancellation policy?
Group Classes & Summer Camps/Workshops
- Students withdrawing more than two days (48 hours) before the first day of a group class or camp will receive a full tuition refund, minus the registration fee.
- Enrolled families withdrawing within the first three group class instances will receive a pro-rated refund, minus the registration fee.
- Enrolled families withdrawing within the first four group class instances will receive a refund of 50%, minus the registration fee.
- Enrolled families withdrawing after five or more group class instances are not eligible for a refund. Families are responsible for paying the balance of the course in full.
- Families withdrawing from classes that are six weeks or less in program duration (i.e. summer camps) are not eligible for a refund after the start date. Families are responsible for paying the balance of the course in full.
- Registration fees are non-refundable. Any payment plans must be completed within one month of the current session’s conclusion.
- Please allow three to four weeks for the processing of any refunds, starting from the date your written request was sent for class withdrawal.
Read about our withdrawal procedures under the “How do I withdraw from classes or lessons?” FAQ.
Private Lessons
- Attendance is expected at all scheduled lessons.
- We are unable to provide refunds, credits, or make-ups for any lessons missed by students, regardless of notification.
- If your teacher cancels a lesson, they will work with you to reschedule the lesson.
- In case of a withdrawal, families are responsible for all tuition up to and including the final private lesson. The remaining tuition will be prorated based on a mutually-determined drop date between you and your instructor.
- Registration fees are non-refundable. Any payment plans must be completed within one month of the current session’s conclusion.
- Please allow three to four weeks for the processing of any refunds, starting from the date the written notification was sent to your instructor and studentservices@meritmusic.org for private lesson withdrawal.
Read about our withdrawal procedures under the “How do I withdraw from classes or lessons?” FAQ.
Early Childhood
- Families withdrawing prior to their first scheduled class date/time are eligible for a full tuition refund minus their $40 deposit.
- Families withdrawing within the first three weeks of their first scheduled class date/time are eligible for a prorated refund minus their $40 deposit. Full refunds are not available after the start of the semester.
- Families withdrawing after the first three weeks of their first scheduled class date/time are not eligible for a refund. Families are responsible for paying the balance of the course in full if they withdraw after the three-week mark.
- Class Pass tuition is due in full upon registration. Class Passes are not refundable.
Cancellations
While this is unusual, group classes, Early Childhood classes, and summer camps/workshops may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment. If this occurs, the school will make every effort to reschedule the student for another class at the student’s level. If this is not possible, you will receive a full refund including both tuition and registration fees.
Safety
What is your COVID-19 policy?
At Merit, your health and safety are our priority.
While masks and proof of vaccination are no longer required, we’re committed to continuing to keep our building safe and clean.
Our upgraded HVAC system increases air circulation throughout the building and introduces more fresh outdoor air. In addition, hand sanitizing stations are offered throughout our music center.
Please note: Merit’s COVID safety team will continue to monitor conditions and could make the decision to return to more conservative COVID mitigation measures if and when deemed necessary.
How will I know if my class is cancelled due to inclement weather or emergency situations?
The safety of students, faculty, and all visitors to the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center is of the utmost importance to the Merit School of Music.
In cases of inclement weather or emergency situations, Merit will actively monitor the situation and keep you up-to-date on the status of classes via the email on your Merit account. In urgent situations, we may also text or call the phone number on file.
You can also check www.meritmusic.org or www.emergencyclosingcenter.com for updates at any time.
Please always use your discretion if you personally believe your commute to be unsafe and report any absences to your teacher and/or program manager/director as soon as possible by filling out an absence form.
In order to ensure we can get in contact with you in emergency situations, always make sure your contact information is up-to-date on your Merit account.
Other
How do I report a concern or issue?
Do you have another concern or issue not described above? We are here to listen!
Fill out the below form, select the “Reporting a concern or issue” option, and leave details in the comment box. We will have the appropriate staff member get back to you promptly.
How do I make a donation?
Supporting Merit students is easy! Click here to make a donation online. For more information, please reach out to development@meritmusic.org or call 312-267-4487.
To mail a donation, please address to:
Merit School of Music
Attn: Development Department
38 S Peoria St
Chicago, IL 60607
Please make checks payable to Merit School of Music.
Still Have Questions? Or Need Help?
Check out our Student & Parent Resources page or contact us!
