My DD is also an oboe olayer…and English Horn…and she owns her own really excellent quality professional level instruments. One college criteria she had was being able to play in a college orchestra. I can tell you…that was THE hardest criteria for her to fulfill.
She is a Santa Clara graduate…played in their orchestra for four years as first oboe. She also played the EH…and the director was thrilled because the school didn’t own that instrument…so previously she had been unable to choose pieces that required an EH.
My kiddo got $250 a quarter…$750 a year…as a performance award. In addition, as long as she played in the orchestra, her weekly private lessons were at no cost…that was a nice savings.
Some schools have larger awards for non-majors…some don’t.
My kid spoke to each orchestra director, music department chairperson, and private teacher…for each school to which she applied. Start there. Send emails to these folks telling of your kiddo’s interest in music as a non-major. They will tell you what is possible.