financial aid

If you are a financial aid recipient, it is important to understand how financial aid works with each type of study away program. All questions on financial aid can be directed to the Financial Aid office: finaid@artcenter.edu, 626.396.2215.

ArtCenter Faculty-Led & Exchange Programs

Domestic Students

  • Apply for Financial Aid — FAFSA - Required for all types of financial aid. Apply for financial aid preferably by March 2 each year by completing the FAFSA. If you miss the deadline, you may still apply but some funds may be limited. Visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.

  • Cal Grant — Undergraduate CA Residents - Undergrad California residents who are not currently Cal Grant recipients should file their FAFSA by March 2 and be sure that Enrollment Services has submitted your GPA to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2. Visit the California Student Aid Commission website for more information.

All Students — International and Domestic

  • Financial Aid Eligibility - Students may use all of their financial aid eligibility (Note: Check with Financial Aid regarding Work Study Awards).

  • Institutional Scholarship Policy - Institutional scholarships are available for ArtCenter faculty-led or exchange programs.

  • Portfolio Scholarship Review - Each semester, apply for a competitive scholarship by submitting work to your department. Scholarship is a combination of need and merit. Check with your department each semester for deadlines.

  • Private Loans - Allow about four to six weeks to apply for a private loan. Most students to require a co-signer. International students must have a U.S. co-signer. More information is available here.

  • Outside Scholarship Resources - Available on the Financial Aid page on Inside.

Other Important Details

  • Final Transcripts - If participating in an exchange program, you must receive an official transcript from the host institution. Students will be required to pay back any financial aid awarded if they do not complete the number of units to which they have agreed.

  • Degree Requirements - In order to receive full state and/or federal aid, you must enroll in no less than the equivalent of 12 units of ArtCenter credit at the host institution, and those credits must transfer back as classes that fulfill ArtCenter degree requirements. State and/or federal aid used to pay for course credit that doesn't transfer to fulfill degree requirements as stated above must be returned to Financial Aid.

  • Budgets - Financial Aid is awarded based on the cost of education. Students may use all of their financial aid. However, financial aid may be prorated if your cost is less than an ArtCenter cost of attendance.

  • Increase Budget - Students may be able to obtain an increase in their financial aid if their cost of attendance is higher than ArtCenter. You must submit a copy of your Study Away budget that includes detailed information about tuition, fees, books, housing, and travel expenses. Any increased financial aid will be in the form of private or federal loans if approved by the lender.

Individualized Study Away

Domestic Students

  • Apply for Financial Aid — FAFSA - Required for all types of financial aid. Apply for financial aid preferably by March 2 each year by completing the FAFSA. If you miss the deadline, you may still apply but some funds may be limited. Visit the Federal Student Aid website for more information.

  • Cal Grant — Undergraduate CA Residents - Undergrad California residents who are not currently Cal Grant recipients should file their FAFSA by March 2 and be sure that Enrollment Services has submitted your GPA to the California Student Aid Commission by March 2. Visit the California Student Aid Commission website for more information.

In many cases, students may use federal financial aid. To be eligible for other financial aid, the individualized study away program must be pre-approved and advance the student toward a degree (Note: Check with Financial Aid regarding Work Study Awards).

As a general rule, students will be able to take their Title IV federal funding (Pell, Stafford, PLUS, SEOG) and Cal Grant overseas with them.

All Students — International and Domestic

  • No Institutional Scholarship Available - Since you are not paying ArtCenter tuition, institutional scholarships are not available for individualized study away programs.

  • Private Loans - Allow about four to six weeks to apply for a private loan. Most students to require a co-signer. International students must have a U.S. co-signer. More information is available here.

  • Outside Scholarship Resources - Available on the Financial Aid page on Inside.

How do I apply for individualized study away to use my financial aid?

Students must submit copies of all Individualized Study Away documents to the Financial Aid office.

When will I receive my financial aid?

Your financial aid will not be released until we have verification of enrollment at your host institution.

Other Important Details

  • Final Transcripts - You must receive official transcripts from your host institution. Students will be required to pay back any financial aid awarded if they do not complete the number of units to which they have agreed.

  • Degree Requirements - In order to receive full state and/or federal aid, you must enroll in no less than the equivalent of 12 units of ArtCenter credit, and those credits must transfer back as classes that fulfill ArtCenter degree requirements. If your program is less than the equivalent of 12 units of ArtCenter credits, you will receive your state and/or federal aid at a reduced amount relative to the number of credits you take, and that all credits must transfer as classes that fulfill ArtCenter degree requirements. State and/or federal aid used to pay for course credit that doesn't transfer to fulfill degree requirements as stated above must be returned to Financial Aid.

  • Budgets - Financial Aid is awarded based on the cost of education. Students may use federal and state financial aid. However, financial aid may be prorated if your cost is less than an ArtCenter cost of attendance.

  • Increase Budget - Students may be able to obtain an increase in their financial aid if their cost of attendance is higher than ArtCenter. You must submit a copy of your Study Away budget that includes detailed information about tuition, fees, books, housing and travel expenses. Any increased financial aid will be in the form of private or federal loans if approved by the lender.