The Financial Planning Process
The Art Institute of Jacksonville’s Student Financial Services Department will assist all students by working with the student (and family) to develop a financial plan. The financial plan will list tuition and fees for the College, deduct aid the student has qualified for, and discuss options for how to pay the remaining balance. Financial aid consists of loans and grant. Scholarships may also be part of your financial plan if you qualify.
Grant Opportunities you are eligible to apply for:
Grants are considered "gifts" and they do not need to be repaid if you qualify. They are typically awarded on the basis of financial need as determined by the FAFSA.
Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
Eligibility is based on financial need and is determined by a standard federal formula. Eligible students can receive between $400 and $4,310 per federal aid year.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant
The FSEOG program provides additional funds to students who have exceptional financial need, based on federal guidelines. Eligible students may receive up to $200 to $400 per quarter. Funds are limited and awarded on a first-come first-serve basis.
Academic Competitive Grant (ACG)
The Academic Competitive Grant is available to students who are receiving a Pell Grant, are full time in their first or second year of college in a degree program, who graduated from High School in 2005 or later, and who took a program of study in High School that was considered to be rigorous. Each eligible student may receive 2 years of ACG. The award is up to $750 the first year and up to $1,300 the second year. To receive a second year grant, the student must have a 3.0 GPA at the end of the first year.
National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants
SMART Grants are available to eligible students in the third and fourth years of certain Bachelors degree programs. Students must be receiving a Pell Grant, a US Citizen, and have a 3.0 GPA. If transferring from another school, the student must have a 3.0 in classes for which credits are being transferred. The admissions office can provide the student with a list of eligible programs. Awards are up to $4,000 per year.
State Programs
Florida Bright Futures
The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program establishes three lottery-funded scholarships to reward Florida high school graduates for high academic achievement. The Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program is comprised of the following three awards: Florida Academic Scholars Award (FAS) (including Academic Top Scholars), Florida Medallion Scholars Award (FMS), and Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars Award (GSV). Students must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made and meet specific coursework, minimum grade point average (GPA), and test score requirements which are outlined on the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) website www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org/SSFAD/bf/acadrequire.htm. Academic Top Scholars Award – The Florida Academic Scholar with the highest academic ranking in each county will receive a $750 award per semester (award amounts will differ at quarter or clock hour institutions) in addition to the Florida Academic Scholars award, prorated by term and hours and excluding summer term. To apply, students must submit a fully completed (error-free) Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application during his/her last year in high school (after December 1 and prior to graduation) by accessing www.FloridaStudentFinancialAid.org online (select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications, then Apply Here). Students must apply during his/her last year in high school, before graduation, or forfeit all future eligibility for Bright Futures Scholarship. Amounts typically are up to $847 per quarter if taking 12 credits or greater for FMS and GSV Scholarships. These amounts are based on 75% of the average tuition and fees covered at a comparable Florida public institution. Amounts are up to $1329 per quarter for the FAS scholarships. These amounts are based on 100% of the average tuition and fees covered at a comparable Florida public institution.
ABLE Grant
The Access to Better Learning and Education (ABLE) Grant Program provides tuition assistance to Florida undergraduate students enrolled in degree programs at eligible private Florida colleges or universities. ABLE is a decentralized state of Florida program, which means that each participating institution determines application procedures, deadlines, and student eligibility. Students must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made, not have previously received a baccalaureate degree. Students must enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours per term at an eligible Florida college or university in a baccalaureate degree program and meet Florida’s general eligibility requirements for receipt of state aid.
FSAG Grant
The Florida Student Assistance Grant (FSAG) Program is a need-based grant program available to degree-seeking, resident, undergraduate students who demonstrate substantial financial need and are enrolled in participating postsecondary institutions. Students must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, not owe a repayment or be in default under any state or federal grant, loan, or scholarship program unless satisfactory arrangements to repay have been made, not have previously received a baccalaureate degree. Enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours per term, or the equivalent, in an associate or baccalaureate degree program at an eligible institution to participate in the FSAG Postsecondary or FSAG Private programs. Meet Florida’s general eligibility requirements for receipt of state aid. The student will demonstrate financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in time to be processed error-free by the deadline specified by the institution.
Florida Prepaid College Plan
The Art Institute of Jacksonville does accept Florida Prepaid College Plan. The amount is based on the current per credit charge at a state college or university. The current rate is $82.15 per credit hour towards your tuition per credit hour at The Art Institute of Jacksonville.
If I qualify for grants, will they cover all of my educational expenses?
No, they will not. Art Institute of Jacksonville students who apply for financial aid will need to either apply for loans to cover the balance of costs or make payments to the school.
Student Loan Programs
Stafford Student Loan
Eligible students can borrow amounts ranging up to $3,500 for the first year, $4,500 for the second year, and $5,500 for the third and fourth years.
Independent students (and certain dependent students) may borrow an additional unsubsidized Stafford Loan with amounts up to $4,000 for the first and second years, $5,000 for the third and fourth years. (Interest accrues while you are in school for an unsubsidized loan.)
Federal Perkins Loan
This program provides additional loan funds who demonstrate exceptional financial need according to government guidelines.
Federal Parent PLUS Loans
Eligible parents of dependent students may borrow an amount up to the entire unmet balance of educational expensive. This loan is based on credit and typically payments are due after the loan is disbursed.
Alternative Education Loans
These loans are made by private lending institutions and are not subsidized by a government agency. Interest rates, eligibility requirements, and repayment terms differ for each program. A financial aid officer can discuss these programs with you in more detail. Students may require a credit-worthy co-signer for an alternative loan.
In addition, there are many scholarship programs available to students. We encourage students to research through the Internet, high school counselors, church and civic groups. The Art Institute of Jacksonville has a Merit Award that is awarded to students who exhibit evidence of merit and motivation but cannot enter classes or continue their program without additional financial assistance. The Art Institutes scholarships are limited and students should apply as soon as possible. High school seniors are encouraged to participate in numerous competitions reviewed in a Guide to Scholarships available in the Admissions Department.