Despite its storied reputation and cultural significance to Florida A&M University, the Marching 100 faces financial challenges impacting scholarships, travel opportunities and overall resources.
Kazah Dixon, trumpet assistant section leader, said the issue is with the band’s leadership and how the university allocates its funds.
“It’s not really a staff problem with scholarships,” Dixon said. “It’s more of a school problem. They don’t give us enough funding to match how big the band has become. Since 2013, we’ve been receiving the same amount of scholarship money, but the band has grown… to nearly 300 [members].”
FAMU, like many HBCUs, faces consistent underfunding issues, which directly impact its programs. The university must prioritize funding across academics, athletics, and other extracurricular activities, and the band often finds itself at a disadvantage.
Unlike the other department, which receives standardized funding, the Marching 100 relies heavily on donations and external sponsorships.
The funding issues have forced some students to make difficult decisions about their participation.
Dixon shared that several of his peers have had to step away from the band due to scholarship reductions, making balancing school, rent, and band responsibilities financially impossible.
Arianna Davidson, a clarinet player in the Marching 100, has felt the weight of these financial struggles.
“I know I’m speaking for myself, but a lot of people—maybe the majority of the band have faced a 50% decrease in their scholarships,” Davidson said. “My scholarship went from $2,400 to $1,300. I relied heavily on that money, and now I have to take out loans just to get by.”
The Marching 100 is expected to be at every event, but Davidson says it does not match up to the financial support.
These constraints have also affected the band’s ability to travel for away games and national performances.
In previous years, the Marching 100 has performed at major events, including NFL games and battles of the bands. However, this season has seen a steep decline in travel opportunities.
“Last year, we went to Houston for the Pepsi Battle of the Bands, we performed in Miami for the Orange Blossom Classic, and traveled to multiple states for games,” said clarinet player Janelle Wesley. “This year, we were only able to attend one away game because there wasn’t enough money to cover buses, hotel accommodations, and other expenses.”
Davidson added that the financial burden of traveling with a band of their size is massive.
“It takes about $250,000 just to take the full band to an away game,” she explained. “So when our budget gets cut, that’s the first thing to go.”
Despite these challenges, the band remains resilient. Both Davidson and Wesley emphasized the deep pride they feel in being part of the Marching 100 and their commitment to keeping the legacy alive.
“At the end of the day, we love what we do,” Wesley said. “There is no better feeling than stepping onto that field, knowing the work we have put in. But we need support, not just words of encouragement, but actual resources to ensure this program continues to thrive.”
The band has raised awareness about its financial needs by promoting donation drives and encouraging alumni contributions through the FAMU Band website.