| Linnlew, scholarship, merit aid can be a major factor in selecting both initial programs and finalizing decisions.
Some programs allow academic merit awards in addition to talent/audition based awards, some don't. Some schools are quite generous with $ amounts, some are notoriously stingy.
One point to consider is additional scholarship availability once a student enters a program. Many programs have endowed, "named" internal awards that are awarded on any number of factors: competitions, class status or rank, "best" of instrument, small ensemble awards. Some are based on an application, some are departmentally awarded or on an instructor's recommendation.
You may want to seriously study the financial and scholarship pages of the institutions you're considering. The info is often outlined there, or in the institution or school's academic handbook which is normally available online.
It's a tedious time consuming process, and some schools do a better job of making the info more readily available than others. You may also call a music department and ask specifically to speak to someone knowledgeable about departmental scholarships for matriculated students.
Consider also if the school has a grant program in place that may support extracurricular music activities such as summer study, competition prep and travel expenses, instrument upgrade loans. These programs range from non-existent to very generous depending on school size, endowments, and departmental allocations.
Many instrumental, vocal, and music ed professional associations also offer small one time awards for continuing students. Some are competition based, some are academic, and some are service oriented.
It pays to ask and look. The dollar amounts can be small, but every bit can help. |