It’s important to find out the cost of attendance at every school you plan to apply to without limiting yourself to the numbers right off the bat. There’s still time to consider scholarships, merit awards, FAFSA, part-time jobs, loans, and miracles!
Start by identifying the costs associated with the following:
tuition; housing and food; fees; books (and music); health insurance (if you plan to purchase it through the school); travel; storage (if you will be going to school out of state); and other expenses.
As a music student, be sure to find out about any additional costs for individual instruction; instrument upkeep; instrument rental and storage; instrument insurance; travel connected to any bands, ensembles or other music groups you may be part of; and performance attire.
Scholarships and Other Aid
☛ Remember to ask the schools you are applying to about academic and talent scholarships; scholarships for the particular area of music you’re interested in studying; and financial aid specifically for music majors. Find out if you are automatically considered for scholarships by the school when you apply.
Also look for scholarship leads through:
• Foundations
• Parents’ places of employment
• Community groups/businesses/organizations: banks/credit unions, Lions/Rotary Clubs, etc.
• Religious and ethnic groups you’re connected with
• Company-based scholarships for specific fields of study
• Chambers of Commerce
• High school bulletin boards and counselors’ offices
Federal Student Aid
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
Student Aid on the Web (U.S. Dept. of Education information for post-high school financial aid)
Free College Scholarship Search Sites
Scholarships.com (scholarships specifically for vocal and instrumental music majors)
⚑ Stay away from scholarship opportunities you have to pay for – there are a lot of scams out there!
