We had Michigan on our list for Jazz Guitar up until October when we went to a big Music College Fair at MSM and talked to the recruiter there. They told us that they are need based and do not offer scholarships based on merit or talent. A few weeks ago on Facebook I saw a post about it being an affordable music school and it said something about scholarships (wish I had the link to the article). I know ultimately we can contact admissions ourselves but figured I’d get good advice here from those that are further into the process than we are (son is a Junior still so we are working on narrowing down our list).
We more than likely won’t qualify for any kind of need aid (unfortunately) so the only way we can make an OOS school like Michigan work is landing some kind of decent scholarship. Anyone know what they are like merit-wise?
I know people there who have definitely received substantial merit scholarships as well as financial aid. I have also known a few people who applied and did not receive much merit aid at all. I think there is variability, but there is certainly at least some merit aid available. This page may be helpful – it seems to imply that merit aid is more likely to go to those who also have financial need. Affording Your Education - University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
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My son is a freshman at SMTD. He has a merit scholarship, a LEAD scholarship (an alumni scholarship - have your kid apply,) and a Michigan grant which is based on need.
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Merit money is definitely there and everyone at the SMTD was very willing to work with students demonstrating interest in the studio as their first choice. Do not be afraid to use other offers from comparable schools to leverage your position. It takes patience, but once offers start coming out, you’ll have a pretty good idea of where you stand and can possibly gain more money if you ask.
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How is he liking it there? It’s my son’s top choice (BM in Performance and Technology).
I know at least one person who got a scholarship and one who didn’t from UMich last year. I honestly don’t think their levels were very different and I’m fairly certain neither had “need.” Therefore, I’m not sure what criteria the college is using, but there HAVE been at least some mid-level (e.g. $25K or so) scholarships.
Sometimes a school might give merit scholarships, but a specific instrument does not. I know this is how it works at USC - basses typically don’t get any merit aid at the undergrad level regardless of how good they are but I’ve heard of other undergrad instruments that have gotten merit aid. Ask the professor directly if merit aid is available in your instrument. We would have applied to USC, but not with no chance of merit aid, so we skipped it.
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He loves it! The day of his audition last year, he walked out and said that was where he wanted to go. It was a great audition day, everyone was so kind, and the parents all bonded while waiting for their kids. It was awesome because in addition to the lesson, he had an hour long studio type lesson with the professor and another kid who was auditioning that day. OOS is very expensive, but the scholarship and grant money made it possible. Good luck to your musician!
That’s great to hear! I didn’t realize they might also get a lesson that day. How cool!
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