Click the button below to browse open classes and register:
Click the button below to browse open classes and register:
If you prefer to register with a Student Services representative, please visit us during open hours in Room 101.
Monday – Thursday: 2:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 9:00 am – 1:30 pm
Sunday: Closed
Student Services will be closed for the following dates:
Regular Open Hours will resume on Monday, January 6.
Student Services is also available by appointment! Please email us at least 2 business days in advance to schedule your appointment.
312-786-9428 | studentservices@meritmusic.org
Who do I talk to if I need to change my group class schedule?
We encourage all families to register for their recommended group class to secure their spot and then contact the respective program director to inquire about schedule changes.
Is there a registration fee?
Yes, a non-refundable registration fee of $30 per student applies to each academic year and $15 for the summer session. The Alice S. Pfaelzer Tuition-free Conservatory registration fee is $125. If Merit cancels a program or class the registration fee will be refunded in full.
How do I pay?
Payments are accepted by check, money order, credit card (MasterCard, Visa, or Discover) or cash. Credit card payments may be made online or over the phone. Automatic credit card deductions can be made to your account monthly. For more information about online payment and automatic payment plans, please contact Student Services.
When are payments due?
Registration fees are due in full at the time of registration. Tuition is due prior to the start of the program. Payment plans are available and must be set up at the time of registration. For private lessons, a registration fee and a deposit of the first four lessons are due before lessons can begin. Failure to pay within the billing schedule may result in program interruption.
What happens if I fail to pay?
Merit is dedicated to working with families to satisfy payment obligations including, but not limited to, creating payment plans, etc. so students can remain enrolled in programming. Accounts that fall into arrears without communication to Student Services or installment arrangements may be sent to collections. Students’ participation may be interrupted if accounts fall behind in payment. Applications with unpaid registration or private lesson deposits cannot be processed.
What is the withdrawal procedure?
All requests for withdrawal must be received by the program manager of the respective department, in writing, before 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 class or private lesson attended. Students receiving financial aid or scholarship forfeit their award upon withdrawal.
What is the refund policy for Instrumental & Vocal Music and Early Childhood programs?
The refund policy is as follows:
What is the refund policy for private lessons?
If you didn’t receive lessons that were paid for but were not taken due to instructor absence, Student Services will credit your account appropriately at the end of the semester when attendance is reviewed.
Cancellations: Group Classes (Instrumental & Vocal Music)
While this is unusual, classes may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment. If this occurs, the school will make every effort to reschedule the student for another class at a convenient time. If this is not possible, you will receive a full refund including both tuition and registration fees. Band small group cancellations may offer the option for the student to enroll in private lessons in place of the group at an equal tuition rate.
Cancellations: Private Lessons
Students who wish to withdraw from lessons must notify their private teacher as well as the private lesson manager.
While we are dedicated to providing as much aid as possible to requesting families, financial aid is a limited resource and is awarded on a first come, first served basis. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate all requests.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Please fill out our online financial aid application or submit a copy of your 1040 tax return (2018) or other documents reflective of your household income to Student Services at studentservices@meritmusic.org or in-person in Room 101 or 102. If you are unable to provide a tax return, please inquire with Student Services about alternative documentation.
When will my financial aid be applied?
Once approved, your financial aid will be applied once you have provided the $30 registration fee for the Academic Year ($15 Summer Session), and, if applicable, paid the deposit for the first four private lessons.
How often do I need to submit my financial aid documents?
In order for us to maintain a fair and equitable process, families must resubmit their financial aid documents annually. Student Services will keep your documents on file for one full calendar year. Due to limited resources, submitting your documents does not guarantee your student will receive financial aid. Many factors are taken into consideration.
Are new students eligible to receive financial aid?
New students can receive financial aid if their family’s tax return deems them eligible, and if financial aid funds are still available (As noted above, financial aid is a limited resource and awarded on a first come, first served basis).
What would prevent a student from receiving financial aid?
There are a variety of reasons why a student might not receive financial aid (listed below):
For questions or more information regarding financial aid, please email Student Services at studentservices@meritmusic.org or call 312-786-9428.
Merit’s instrument rental program is administered through the Glasser-Rosenthal Library.
The rental program is open to students who are currently enrolled and receiving financial aid. Please note that rentals are subject to availability, so you are encouraged to see the librarian about instrument needs soon after completing class registration!
Academic Year 2019 – 2020 Rental Fee: $37 – $170 (sliding scale, based on financial aid)
You can submit an application to rent an instrument here.
Missed classes:
Make-up classes:
Music Master 2 families:
If you plan to discontinue your class:
Students must arrive on time and attend all classes each week.
If you know your child will be absent in advance:
If your child is absent unexpectedly:
Examples of excused absences:
Examples of unexcused absences:
Failure to submit an Absence Approval Form or to phone in an unplanned absence may result in an “unexcused” absence. After one unexcused absence or three excused absences, the student and his/her parents will be called in for a meeting. At this time the student’s future in the program will be determined. Any student asked to leave the program may have his/her Private Lesson Passport revoked.
Our address is:
Merit School of Music
Joy Faith Knapp Music Center
38 South Peoria St.
Chicago, IL 60607
Merit is easily accessible by car, public transportation, and rideshare. However, parking in our West Loop neighborhood is extremely limited and our parking lot is for permit parking only.
Due to the limited space in our lot, parking is strictly enforced and vehicles will be towed at the owner’s expense. There are two 30-minute visitor parking spots available to guests who check-in at the front desk.
Parking options include metered street parking around Merit as well as nearby paid public parking lots. We recommend using SpotHero to conveniently find a parking spot.
How does the automatic re-enrollment program work?
Students who join the automatic re-enrollment program complete their formal registration once and receive a secured spot in class in perpetuity (or until you tell us you’d like to cancel). Your credit card will then be charged at the start of each 10-week session and bypass any future registration and payment paperwork.
What are the benefits of automatic re-enrollment?
Discounted tuition
Students enrolled in the automatic re-enrollment program receive a 10% discount on class tuition!
Reserved/Priority spots in class
Students who participate in automatic re-enrollment will be enrolled in upcoming classes before registration opens to the general public. This means that your student will have “first dibs” on their preferred class time- no more losing a spot in your favorite class simply because someone else completed their registration before you!
Skip the paperwork
Once you join the automatic re-enrollment program, your job is done! Skip the paperwork and hassle of enrolling for classes every 10 weeks- we’ll take care of the work for you.
What if I want to move to a new class for the upcoming session?
You will be contacted by the Early Childhood Program administration a few weeks before the start of each upcoming session to confirm your student’s preferred class schedule. You will be welcome to change your class day and time if needed and will also be able to move into the next level class if your student will be graduating to the next age range.
I love the idea of this program- how do I join?
Simply add the coupon code “AUTOENROLL” to your first class purchase during online check-out. After your first registration, your credit card will be charged automatically at the start of each session for the registration fee (assessed once per academic year and once per summer) and class tuition (minus the 10% discount). You are responsible for letting Merit know if you wish to discontinue classes and automatic payments.
What happens if I fail to keep my credit card information current in my account?
You must keep a valid credit card number on file to participate in the automatic re-enrollment program. If your credit card number changes or expires and you fail to proactively update your account information at Merit, your student will be automatically withdrawn from the auto-enroll program and will no longer receive the priority registration benefits and tuition discounts associated with the program.
What happens if I choose to discontinue Early Childhood classes at Merit?
You must alert Merit’s Student Services Department in writing at least two weeks in advance of when you would like to discontinue your participation in the automatic re-enrollment program. Students who choose to discontinue within their first 7 or 10-week session of classes will have the 10% tuition discount billed back to their credit card. Students who have attended at least two full, consecutive 7 or 10-week class sessions will be able to keep their 10% tuition discount but will be held to the following refund schedule:
Students withdrawing from Early Childhood classes are subject to the rules and regulations outlined in Merit School of Music Enrollment Policies.
What if I don’t want to participate in the automatic re-enrollment program? What are my alternative registration options?
Merit also offers per-term registration. You are welcome to register for each 7 or 10-week session of Early Childhood classes individually however you will not be eligible for the automatic renewal tuition discounts and class spots will be subject to availability. You will need to complete a new class registration for every session in which your student participates.