<p>I was accepted to Belmont academically and I am auditioning for Commercial Music on November 9. I have heard that most students get little to no financial aid from the school. I am concerned because my parents can't really pay for any of my tuition. I have been paying for my community college through grants and my own pocket (so now my bank account is almost empty), but Belmont is much, much more expensive than my community college. I'm half minority (Japanese) so I MIGHT get a little bit from that, if anything at all. Also, I'm hoping for a scholarship based on my audition even though I've heard it's very hard to get one for vocals because it's very competitive. I'm just worried because I don't want to go to school anywhere else. I've done so much research on which schools have good contemporary programs and I can't seem to find anymore. I auditioned for Berklee, got accepted for spring, but no scholarship and that's a nightmare looking at Berklee's tuition.</p>
<p>Anyway, if anyone (Belmont alumni or current students or anyone at all) could make me feel a little bit better about paying my tuition I'd really appreciate. Thanks.</p>
<p>I am not an alum…and I don’t think my answer is going to be what you want to hear.</p>
<p>Belmont does not guarantee to meet full need of all accepted students. It is possible you will get a performance award based on your audition, but even that will not likely cover the cost of attending. </p>
<p>How much CAN you and your parents pay annually? How much aid do you need to attend Belmont?</p>
<p>Also, you do need to understand that any aid you get will either be based on the strength of YOUR audition…or based on YOUR family’s financial need and Belmont’s policies in awarding need based aid. What happened with other current and former students may not be relevant to your situation at all.</p>
<p>Since your audition date is set, you probably already know about these Music Scholarships, but just in case;</p>
<p>[Music</a> Scholarships - School of Music Belmont University](<a href=“http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2013jun/cvpa/som/scholarships.html]Music”>http://www.belmont.edu/catalog/undergrad2013jun/cvpa/som/scholarships.html)</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>@thumper1 Thanks. It’s better to hear the truth I guess haha. </p>
<p>I have looked on college ******* and have looked at average financial aid that most students are given. I am aware that I will definitely have to take out loans and I’m prepared for that. Because my family is not wealthy, I know that whatever school I go to I will have to take out loans. My parents have been using their income for paying mortgage, debt, bills, etc so they have no money to help me out. My father works full time, but my mother is a stay-at-home mom. She does have a job where she works as a crossing guard so she has a small amount of annual income, but it all goes to the bills. I guess you could say we have no leftover spending or vacation money. Because of this, I need as much aid as I can possibly get. I know a full ride is just me dreaming so I know I’m just going to have to kick ass at my audition and do my best.</p>
<p>I am hoping that my audition can give me a scholarship even if it’s small. Every dollar counts. I know that every student is in different situations so I cannot rely on what other students say, but I do have a friend who is black and she attends Belmont now. She said that she asked them for more financial aid and they gave it to her. She said they’re working really hard to get her semesters paid. She’s still taking out loans, but they have helped out more because she asked.</p>
<p>In the end, I will be taking out loans no matter what (unless I get a full ride…), but also, I have been taking classes at my community college. I’ve been taking music theory and ear training for a few semestersy now hoping to test higher in those placement tests so I don’t have to be there as long as I would if I were a freshman right out of highschool. Also, I have taken five of my core classes at my community college…That is one semester’s worth of core classes. My hopes are to be able to receive enough financial aid and take out enough loans to get me through six semesters or less.</p>
<p>College is a nightmare…</p>
<p>@melbert I have seen that list. Thanks. I could use all the luck I can get.</p>
<p>Good luck on that audition. I hope you nail it!</p>
<p>One thing you need to know. You (the student) will have limited ability to secure loans without a cosigner. You will certainly get the max Direct loan ($5500 for freshman year). Beyond that, you will need a credit worthy person to cosign the loans. Will your parents be able to do this…and will they be able to do so for all four years?</p>
<p>My parents were able to sign for my brother so I’m assuming they’ll be able to sign for me. Nothing has changed financially. This is his fourth year in college.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>[Belmont</a> University Tuition, Costs and Financial Aid - CollegeData College Profile](<a href=“http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg03_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=499]Belmont”>http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg03_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=499)</p>
<p>This is where you can get data on Belmont’s financial aid. You can also fill in a NPC for the school with your parents’ income and assets and see what figure comes out for you. But these are all averages, and what YOU get, which is all that counts for you, could be quite different.</p>
<p>I have a son in the performing arts and he’s been living hand to mouth for several years now. COnsidered successful because he doesn’t live with us and pretty much meets his needs, but he doesn’t have a dime extra and his income is poverty level. THat he doesn’t have any student loans makes it just possible for him to audition and work in the arts. So do keep that in mind when you consider loan. If your parents can’t pay much now for you, they are’t going to be able to help you pay back loans when college is a done deal. Stinks worse than old fish to pay for college when it’s over believe me. So look for some more affordable alternatives. </p>
<p>Belmont ony meets full need for 13.7% of the students and their averaage need grant was $11,868. Though there is merit money, the stats for that are not terrific. It’s not a problem to keep the school on your list, but also make sure you have some things without so much contingent on aid, especially on loans.</p>