Which to Pick... College

When one is accepted into his or her college of choice, yet fears that one cannot go because of financial stipends, is there always a loan that can assist? (especially when one is majoring in music composition, when there isn't a set amount this composer can make after exiting college, making it difficult to know that after, he or she could pay it back in full + interest)

Yes, there are loans. Be careful, however, that you don't get a large loan with massive interest that you can't pay back later. Look into the matter with a great deal of care.

With a profession that won't give you an immediate return on investments, be especially careful.

You know, you can double major in music composition and music education. That way, you know you'll be able to get a job as school teacher/band/orchestra/choir director. At least you'd know you'd get a paycheck.

It wouldn't really be that much more of an expense to double major. Most of the costs at the where I currently go isn't tuition, it's the crazy fees.

As far as loans go, governtment backed student loans are easy to get. And if the amount they offer you isn't enough, there are companies that offer supplementary loans. Some institutions set a limit on how much money you can take in loans per year. My school does a "Cost of Education Budget" and they won't let you borrow more than that per year. My limit was like $12,000/year. I only used about $10k.

If you are looking for a supplementary loan, I used Education Finance Partners | Private Student Loans, Private Consolidation Loans

It's like 3% interest, but also look at other companies like this one... I can't attest that this is the best one, it's just the one I used..

Hope that was helpful.

You know, you can double major in music composition and music education. That way, you know you'll be able to get a job as school teacher/band/orchestra/choir director. At least you'd know you'd get a paycheck.

It wouldn't really be that much more of an expense to double major. Most of the costs at the where I currently go isn't tuition, it's the crazy fees.

Uh, where I come from, that's physically impossible unless you want to spend 6+ years in college and pulling off 20+ hours every semester. And even that's optimistic. Besides the fact that the people who gave us accreditations refuse to allow it (several of my friends have put considerable effort into fighting them over it, it's a bloody mess).

I have no interest in majoring in music education, I think some jobs that I could fall back on would be at the community colleges and smaller colleges that don't have strong music programs and are always in need of a theory/composition/orchestration/music history/ etc. teacher.

I'm hoping that these schools offer some great scholarships, but if not I'll look at these supplementary loans to assist me in what I hope to get is a loan from the government :P

I'm also curious on whether prestigious schools are more apt in helping students who live in a family with a low income, but I guess it depends on talent and how much they desire the student.

I don't think there are all that many composition scholarships out there. And I'm sure the ones that do exist are pretty competetive... Hopefully your academics are good, because that's the area where you'd probably get your scholarships.

Just make it though your Bachelors degree, and the rest is practically a free ride once you get a graduate assistantship somewhere while you work on your masters and doctorate. I'm practically getting a free ride with my masters degree assistantship.

Also, while you're in school you can defer your student loan payments, so maybe you can go all the way to doctorate and get a professorship somewhere that can pay off your bills...

The nature of a composition major usually entials going all the way to doctorate. Everyone who doesn't winds up as either a band director or a church musician...

What state are you in? Choosing a college in your state can keep your costs down. Also, some of your surrounding states may have a 'good neigbor policy' where you can get in state tuition...

Depending on your school and your talent, you might be able to get a nice scholarship in composition from your school. At my university, the maximum amount of money that you can recieve from a certain group (each instrument you play, composition, etc.) is half of tuition. I was blessed enough to get two of these (one for composition and one for my instrument.) and am going through college tuition-free.

Always, always, always fill out the FAFSA (if you live in the US, that is. I'm sure other places have something similar) even if you don't think you qualify for anything. It can direct you to things like the Stafford Loan and other low-interest loans designed specifically for students. Also, look out for scholarships on sites such as FastWeb. While small scholarships like those usually have insider connection bias, there may be an off chance that you will win the scholarships.

Applying to college really is like shopping around different stores. You have to find the school that will give you the best value with the best education. That's why it's so important to apply to many different schools so that you may find one that is willing to help you financially.

I'm also curious on whether prestigious schools are more apt in helping students who live in a family with a low income, but I guess it depends on talent and how much they desire the student.

In general, yes, actually. Juilliard, for example, gives very few merit-based scholarships, while on the other hand they are extremely generous in meeting all or nearly all of a student's demonstrated financial need. So if you are one of those (lucky) individuals who appeals to have a very small Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) after filling out the FAFSA, this is definitely to your benefit when it comes to applying to the big-name conservatories.

Of course, all schools have their own set of requirements for applying for financial aid. The Manhattan School of Music, for example, requires everything but the kitchen sink in their financial aid application process. Of course, one may argue this helps get a better picture of the applicant, but it can be a big pain when you're applying to 5 or 6 schools.