For my D, who is now a professional musician, trial lessons were a great way to see if she clicked with the teacher. She also chose not to apply to a couple of places because she didn’t feel it was a good match, and her final decision was a combination of teacher plus scholarship.
None of her auditions were blind.
At the tippy top conservatories, there will likely be lots of competition for aid. If you’re willing to look at less prestigious schools, there may be more opportunities.