Of course there are millions of similar threads, but I’ll still post anyway.
I’m All-State piccoloist and member of Macy’s Great American Marching Band from Long Island. I’m only a junior but looking ahead towards next year and trying to start setting up college visits this year. I’m looking to major in performance, but unfortunately as one of four kids (I’m a triplet) and with only one parent working right now, money is tight. I’m planning to apply to Queens College, Curtis (I’ll never get in but can’t hurt), George Mason, and possibly Potsdam and St. Olaf. I want a reputable music school or conservatory near a metropolitan area, but I really can’t afford many private schools or conservatories, and I doubt there are many scholarships available for flutes (we’re a dime a dozen). Any other affordable places worth applying to?
I was going to say Purchase too. Are you a NY resident? Yes, to SUNY’s and CUNY’s…
If you qualify for financial aid, then you could apply to conservatories that are attached to universities or colleges, rather than freestanding conservatories, and the financial aid of the university or college would apply to you as a conservatory student. Oberlin, Lawrence, Ithaca, Hartt at U. of Hartford, Bard (requires double degree), Peabody, Michigan, many others.
The other route is to go to a university or college for a BA in music, or a bachelor’s in anything, and continue lessons, practice and performance in extracurriculars or off campus.
Do the net price calculators on college websites. Check into merit aid as well.
If you have sufficient academic credentials there are a number of state universities such as U of South Carolina and U of North Texas, among others that waive out of state tuition. Are these a possibility for you?
If you don’t mind crossing a border, consider McGill University in Montreal Schulich School of Music: http://www.mcgill.ca/music/programs/bmus
International tuition about $20,000/year
ASU Herberger SOM has a good music performance program. We know two ASU performance undergrads who went to Yale for their grad degrees. You can apply for admission and subsequent substantial financial assistance through the Barrett Honors program if your academic stats are good.
The Colburn School in LA is full ride, both tuition and room and board. It is high level, and will be pretty competitive, but one thing working in your favor there is IME a lot of the kids who otherwise could get in there, even though it is free, prefer to go to one of the bigger name schools (Colburn is relatively new, and it is small, which works against some kids going there). You might want to add Bard conservatory to the list, you may find you get strong aid there as well, though obviously no guarantees.
Rice uses their own calculation of need though. "Rice will not award loans to students whose family total income is below $80,000. The student’s financial need will be met through a combination of grants, work study, merit aid (if qualified) and institutional funds.
For families with incomes above $80,000, Rice will award a $2,500 subsidized loan, grants, work study, merit aid (if qualified) and institutional funds to cover 100% of the student’s demonstrated institutional need."