@compmom I always appreciate your wisdom, so thank you. I really have no idea what I’m talking about except that I’ve read on this board that appeals can be done!
I think I’m super confused because:
with his Music Business major in some schools he’s in the music school and in some schools he’s not (ie-Belmont, Drexel) so when it says to try to have peer colleges match awards am I dealing with all apples if the ranking is not the same and the degree (BM vs BS or BA) is not the same, but the level of the program is the same (Frost vs Belmont)? And what if the ranking is not the same, but the COA is the same (Frost vs Drexel)? Is that a peer institution? I’m thinking it isn’t, but that’s where I have the most leverage.
All of these schools met EFC with a combo of merit awards and grants (and FSU came way below that because of the OOS tuition waiver). To be transparent, UM hasn’t given us a FA package yet, so I don’t know what to expect. However, I am trying to be proactive since by the time we know what the FA will be it will be cutting it very close to May 1st so I want to be ready to go with my appeal. 
Any insight will be helpful. I have read so many threads on this, but most of these students are performance majors and I can see being able to battle it out based on how good they are. I feel like our situation is different because although he was accepted via audition, it’s not the type of major where anyone is battling for your talent! His merit awards were based on his academics and ECs.