Teaching Moment for Middle School Teacher

Objective:

Instructions:

• Attending college to study music involves both acceptance and financial planning.
• There are multiple ways to pay for college—including scholarships, jobs, family support, and loans.
• It’s important to plan ahead and ask good questions about how to prepare financially.

💰 Assignment: “The Real Cost of the Dream”

1. Watch & Read:
   • Read a simplified article excerpt (teacher-selected).
   • Watch a short video or listen to your teacher explain how students pay for college.
2. Dream Music College Scenario:
   Imagine you’re 18 and just got accepted into your dream music school.
   Answer these:
   • What instrument do you play?
   • What kind of college is it (big university, music conservatory)?
   • What 3 things would you need to buy before your first semester?
3. Cost Cards:
   Use printed “cost cards” (with pretend prices) to build a starting college budget.
   Examples: tuition, travel, housing deposit, concert clothes.
4. Funding Puzzle:
   Use “funding cards” (scholarships, family help, job earnings, loans).
   Match these to your costs. If you run out of money, adjust your plan or borrow.
5. Reflection Questions:
   Answer in writing or group discussion:
   • What surprised you about the cost of music school?
   • What would you do to prepare ahead of time?
   • What questions should you or your family ask when planning for college?

📊 Grading Rubric (10 Points Total)

Category	Excellent (2)	Good (1)	Needs Work (0)
Dream College Scenario	Clear and creative answers	Mostly clear	Unclear or incomplete
Budget Matching	All cards matched correctly	Most matched correctly	Cards missing or unclear
Funding Puzzle	Thoughtful and balanced	Some thought given	Random or incomplete
Reflection	Insightful and well-explained	Basic answers	Lacks clarity or effort
Participation	Fully engaged	Mostly focused	Off-task or not completed

📈 Grading Scale:
• 9–10 = A
• 7–8 = B
• 5–6 = C
• 3–4 = D
• 0–2 = F

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Teaching Moment for High School Teacher

Objective:

Students will be able to:

• Identify and explain the role of private student loans in funding a college music education.
• Compare private loan options and assess which might best support various college-related expenses for music majors.
• Evaluate the financial responsibilities and long-term implications of taking out a private loan.

Assignment:
Title: Your Financial Game Plan: Choosing the Right Loan for a Music Major

Instructions:

1. Read the Article:
   Carefully read Funding the Dream: Private Lending Options for Music Majors Who Mean Business (provided in class or linked online).
2. Scenario Selection:
   Imagine you are a high school senior who:
   • Has been accepted into a School of Music
   • Has received a partial scholarship and federal aid
   • Still needs $5,000 to cover travel, a new instrument, and housing deposits
3. Research and Compare Lenders:
   Using the article, choose two private lenders from the list below:
   • Sallie Mae
   • Ascent
   • College Ave
   • Discover
   • MPOWER
   Compare their benefits, eligibility, repayment terms, and any unique features.
4. Create a One-Page Financial Summary:
   Your document must include:
   • A short summary of your scenario
   • A comparison chart of the two lenders
   • Your final loan recommendation and why it’s the best fit
   • A short paragraph reflecting on what you learned about borrowing money for college
5. Design Counts:
   Make your page clear and easy to follow. Use tables, bullet points, or headers to organize your content.
6. Due Date: [Insert Due Date]

📊 Grading Rubric (20 Points Total)

Grade Scale:
18–20 = A
16–17 = B
13–15 = C
10–12 = D
0–9 = F

“Funding the Dream” Starts with Early Awareness

Dear Parents,

As your child begins building their love of music here in middle school, I want to thank you for the support you give them every day. Whether it’s helping them remember their instrument, driving them to rehearsals, or cheering them on at concerts—your encouragement plays a major role in their musical journey.

And while college may still feel a long way off, many of our students are already dreaming big: performing professionally, studying music in college, or even teaching the next generation of young musicians.

That’s why I want to share a resource with you from Accoladi.com called:
“Funding the Dream: Private Lending Options for Music Majors Who Mean Business.”

Even though your child won’t be applying for college just yet, this article helps families understand what it actually costs to attend a music school or conservatory—and how students and families plan ahead to pay for it. It covers topics like summer programs, new instruments, travel to auditions, and other expenses that aren’t always obvious at first.

We’re not encouraging students to take out loans right now—but we are encouraging families to think early, ask smart questions, and prepare wisely for the future. The article is written in a clear, parent-friendly way and is well worth a few minutes of your time.

You can find it online at Accoladi.com by searching:
“Funding the Dream: Private Lending Options for Music Majors Who Mean Business.”

Thank you again for being such an important part of your student’s success—and for thinking ahead with us as we support their growth, both musically and personally.

Warmly,

_____________________________________________________
Director’s Name and Position

_____________________________________________________
School Name

“Funding the Dream” — Why Conversations About College Costs Should Start Now

Dear Parents,

As your child fine-tunes their musical skills and prepares for exciting performances ahead, there’s another kind of preparation quietly building in the background—one that’s just as important: preparing for life after high school.

Whether your child is a freshman exploring their first ensemble or a senior prepping for college auditions, it’s never too early to start thinking about the real costs of pursuing a music degree or any college degree.

That’s why I want to point you to a smart and insightful article now featured on Accoladi.com, titled: “Funding the Dream: Private Lending Options for Music Majors Who Mean Business.”

This article sheds light on a topic that’s often overlooked until it’s urgent—how to cover the “gap costs” of a music education (or any degree plan) that scholarships and federal aid may not fully address. Things like audition travel, new instruments, summer intensives, or even professional concert attire can add up quickly.

The article doesn’t just explain what private student loans are—it gives you a clear, parent-friendly breakdown of options like Sallie Mae, College Ave, Ascent, and others that support music students. It also touches on financial literacy, smart planning, and how these decisions can impact your child’s journey toward graduate school, education leadership, or performing professionally.

It’s not a sales pitch—it’s practical, empowering, and honest.

I encourage every parent to take 5 minutes to read it. Even if your student is still a year or two away from applying, the earlier you understand the financial landscape, the better prepared your family will be to make informed, confident choices.

You can find the article now on Accoladi.com under the student resources section or by searching the title: “Funding the Dream: Private Lending Options for Music Majors Who Mean Business.”

As always, thank you for supporting your student’s artistic growth—and for staying informed as we guide them toward a bright and sustainable future in the arts.

With Gratitude,

________________________________________________
Director’s Name and Position

_________________________________________________
School Name