<p>sagiter, here’s one similar question with a response from a financial aid officer <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/673438-can-stafford-loan-used-towards-buying-musical-instrument.html?highlight=instrument[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/music-major/673438-can-stafford-loan-used-towards-buying-musical-instrument.html?highlight=instrument</a>. You may want to pm kelsmom, as my recollection is the 529 is a different animal, with specific restrictions.</p>
<p>A new instrument an upgrade should qualify as an allowable expense for a performance major.</p>