<p>I do not know Eastman’s financial aid policies. Music merit aid is awarded to students based on their audition only. Some schools offer academic merit aid as well, but I’m not sure Eastman does.</p>
<p>Duquesne, as an example, awarded my son a performance award based on his audition AND a presidential scholarship based on his academic stats.</p>
<p>Boston University offers both types of awards as well (but DS didn’t get an academic award from them…but did get a great performance award).</p>
<p>The Hartt School awarded only music merit awards based on his audition, and NOT any additional academic merit aid (and he was well qualified to receive some…including an alumni scholarship as his dad is an alum of U of Hartford).</p>
<p>So…policies vary. Perhaps others here have first hand experience with Eastman and the other schools on your son’s list.</p>