<p>DS is hoping to find his way into a Masters program in Music Performance for Fall 09.
He is just now completing his Music Education degree next month.
He 'knows' that we will have little money to help with grad school. Maybe a used car to drive himself wherever.
I'm not sure he knows how to evaluate his choices for likelihood of financial aid, assistantships, etc. I believe he's got 5 schools on a list based on the professors he'd like to study with (a good idea of course) and his impression of chance for acceptance based on competitiveness of program. I do know he's consulted with two longtime private teachers. I'm sure they've advised him on quality and fit of programs. He's running this process, unlike the undergrad thing where we knew we were picking up the tab.</p>
<p>Son has said he'll worry about the financial thing later, I guess after he gets offers.
That's the part that concerns me. I would like him NOT to have huge debt of course.</p>
<p>So, do most graduate music programs have aid? I know he'll be looked at as independent for FAFSA but I'm worried that he at least have a few financial 'safeties' on his list.</p>
<p>musicmom, I hate that my kid is still racking up debt. He has a scholarship that covers most of his tuition, but still needs money for room and board. Part of his rationale for staying in NYC, despite the high cost of living, was because of the prevalence of gigs available to him. He has a fairly small loan that covers the rest of his tuition with a tiny bit left over. We put a cushion in his bank acccount, but he hasn't had to touch it yet. I can't remember what instrument your S plays. But one of the questions he should be asking at various schools is how easy is it to get gigs.</p>
<p>It is very hard to find a balance between quality of school with cost of attendance, and the final decision will be different for everyone. Having a school that is free, but studying with someone who doesn't improve your skills, is an expensive proposition in a different way.</p>
<p>I do like my students to consider doing their graduate degrees in a place where there is a lot of work, as they will need to support themselves while auditioning for jobs. My husband worked in Chicago for a year, gigging, teaching private lessons in the suburbs, etc. Of course, a teaching assistantship would be nice. If a student is planning on getting a doctorate (a necessity for college jobs these days), this move could be done then. There are quite a few big urban areas that have possible music teaching/freelance opportunities.</p>
<p>My son has a scholarship that covers about 75% of his tuition. He is taking out loans for the rest and for his living expenses. I am not terribly happy about his loan situation, but it is what it is. He was not able to earn much his first year as he was new in NYC and it took a while to build up his contacts. He has had better opportunities this, his second year, and he many decide to not borrow much his final semester. My biggest hope is that he is earning enough a year from now to both be able to support himself and make his loan payments as well.</p>
<p>Money is the main thing keeping son out of a performance masters now, and he continues to vascillate. He has a number of top programs pegged, and has a good shot a many, if not all on the list. We all know audition based admits are a big if, and the grad assistantships/fellowships tend to go to the cream of the crop at any particular institution. He figures between his performance background, his intensive chamber background, his coaching and teaching experience, he'll have a number of options open for a GA/TA or performance fellowship.</p>
<p>His undergrad student loans are just a tad under the max amount allowed under federal programs, so he's not overburdened there. He's reluctant to apply, get an acceptance, gain little or no funding and have to reply on more loans to fund grad school. At this point he knows we're tapped out, and can't aid him financially for school.</p>
<p>I've told him to apply, and see what happens. If there's little or no funding, he doesn't have to accept. He is living at home, we charge him an extremely modest "rent" in our high cost of living area, and he is saving money, but is also covering his undergrad loans, health & car insurance. Seems when he gets a bit ahead, pro audition travel and overnight accomodation expenses drain his resources. </p>
<p>His choice of schools and our geographic location make it such that he can still go to grad school "locally" and maintain his current regional chair. Depending on actual school, he may still be able to live at home and effectively commute to school, via car or rail, potentially saving some room and board money.</p>
<p>DS is in his second year of his masters program. The school bills are on his dime (he has gotten some financial aid that sure helps), but we are helping him with living expenses. This was a good plan for him and we fully supported his enrollment in grad school at this time. He is going to school in an area that is very supportive of the arts, and has many playing opportunities for him. It is not, however, a major metro area. Still...this area has provided him with opportunities he would probably not have if he were living in one of the larger metro areas. Plus...his cost of living is a small fraction of what it would be in NYC, Boston, Phili, LA, Chicago, etc.</p>
<p>Many thanks for the thoughtful respones!
I was hoping to hear from those already dealing with this issue and I'm not disappointed.</p>
<p>Seems like it will be the same balancing act; finding a good fit that won't break (son's) bank. Binx, I can't agree more that pursuing a free but unchallenging option is expensive in a different way. I confident that DS is only looking at schools with profs he would love to study with. Eating along the way is the issue!</p>
<p>We are in northern NJ and son plays tuba.
He seems to be constructing his list without the 'big names' in NYC, perhaps looking at schools he feels are more of a match (whatever that means in music).
I remember hearing Mich State, UMich, Purchase, Hartt and Mason Gross, but that could be last week's list!</p>