<p>Just in case anyone need to refer to this question:</p>
<p>This morning I spoke with the financial aid office at SUNY Potsdam (Crane School of Music), a HESC Financial Services and a 529 rep for the Vanguard Group who runs our specific NYS 529 plan and was given the same information by all three. </p>
<p>It is absolutely permissible to use 529 funds for the purchase of an instrument to be used by a Music Performance major or Music Ed major as “equipment required for the student-beneficiary’s enrollment”</p>
<p>From the HESC Website:</p>
<p>What are qualified higher education expenses?</p>
<p>Qualified higher education expenses are currently defined by the IRS as room and board (for students enrolled at least half time), tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for the student-beneficiary’s enrollment.</p>