What types of financial aid are available?
Federal Pell Grant
Description: Federal Pell Grants are “gifts” of assistance to students who meet financial standards set by the federal government. They are available to students who demonstrate financial need, based on a federal formula, and who have not already received a bachelor’s degree. The amount available varies from year to year based on Congressional appropriations. Grants for 2008–09 for full-time, eligible students ranged from $400 to $4,731 per academic year. Part-time students who are eligible for grants receive smaller amounts. Please contact the Student Financial Services Department for current Pell Grant ranges and your eligibility for that grant. Grants do not have to be repaid.
How to apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The school will receive an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) from the Federal Financial Aid Processor when you indicate the school as a choice on your FAFSA. The ISIR establishes your eligibility for the Federal Pell Grant and authorizes the school to credit your tuition account with Federal Pell Grant payments. If you are eligible, you will be notified on your Student Financial Plan.
How payments are made: If we have a valid ISIR for you, we can receive your Pell Grant funds directly from the federal government. Your account is then credited with your Pell Grant funds about 10 days before the first day of class each term. The credit is automatic as long as your financial paperwork is complete each year, you remain eligible for aid, and you officially register for classes each term.
Academic Competitive Grant (ACG)
Description: The Academic Competitive Grant is available to students who are US citizens receiving a Pell Grant, are full time in their first or second year of college in a degree program, graduated from high school in 2005 or later, and took a program of study in high school that was considered to be rigorous. Each eligible student may receive two 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.
How to apply: Applying for a Pell Grant (see above) allows a student to be considered for an ACG. In addition, the student must provide an official high school transcript. The Academic Affairs office at The Art Institutes will evaluate the transcript to determine if it meets the “rigorous program of study” requirement.
How payments are made: If we have a valid ISIR and a valid High School transcript that meets requirements, payments are credited directly to the student’s account in each quarter in which the student meets eligibility requirements.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Description: FSEOGs are “gifts” of assistance to students. They are available to students who demonstrate exceptional financial need and who have not already received a bachelor’s degree. The amount available varies and program funds are limited. Eligible students generally receive from $200 to $1,200 for each academic year (three quarters or two semesters). Grants through this program do not have to be repaid.
How to apply: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The school will receive an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) from the Federal Financial Aid Processor when you indicate the school as a choice on your FAFSA. The school will use the information from the ISIR to determine whether you are eligible for an FSEOG. If you bring or mail the FAFSA to the school, we can tell you if you will be eligible for an FSEOG and the approximate amount that you will receive. If you are eligible, you will be notified on your Student Financial Plan.
How payments are made: If we have a valid ISIR for you, we can receive your FSEOG funds directly from the federal government. Your account is then credited with your grant funds about 10 days before the first day of class each term. The credit is automatic as long as your financial paperwork is complete each year, you remain eligible for aid, and you officially register for classes each term.
Federal Stafford Student Loan
Description: Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Student Loans carry a fixed interest rate of 6.8%. Contact the Student Financial Services Department for the most current interest rates. The program is funded through banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, and other lending institutions. Eligibility is based on financial need. If you are eligible, you may borrow once per academic year as long as all of the required paperwork has been completed. The federal government pays the interest on a Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan while the student attends school, during the grace period, and during periods of deferment. The student is responsible for interest on an Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan.
Amount: Dependent students may borrow combinations of Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans up to a maximum of $3,500 during the first grade level, $4,500 during the second grade level, and $5,500 for the third and fourth grade levels. Independent students and dependent students whose parents cannot borrow under the Federal PLUS Loan program (see next section) may borrow the maximum annual amounts stated above, plus an annual maximum of $4,000 in Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans for the first and second grade levels, and $5,000 in Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans for the third and fourth grade levels. A variable origination fee (up to 3%) and a variable insurance fee (up to 1%) are deducted from the amount borrowed for both Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans. Maximum loan amounts may be reduced for loan periods less than an academic year and if the student has previous loans. Amounts are accurate as of this printing. Please contact the Student Financial Services Department for the most current amounts.
Repayment for Subsidized Loans: Repayment begins six months after you leave school or drop below half-time status. While you are in school in at least a half-time status and during the six-month grace period, the interest is “subsidized” by the federal government.
Repayment for Unsubsidized Loans: Your first payment of principal is due six months after you leave school or drop below half-time status. Interest is paid quarterly while you are attending school or can be accrued during the in-school and six-month grace periods. If it accrues, it is added to the principal when you begin to repay the loan. See your Student Financial Aid Officer to obtain a sample loan repayment schedule.
How payments are made: Federal Stafford Loans are usually sent directly to the school from the lender electronically. This process is called Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). With your authorization, the EFT loan funds are usually automatically credited to your tuition account prior to the beginning of each term. Some lenders send copayable checks directly to the school. The checks generally arrive at the beginning of each term and require the student’s signature. See the Student Financial Services Department for details. If your loan funds have not been received when you start class, we will defer payment of the school charges until the funds are received, as long as all of the paperwork has been completed.
Determining Dependency Status
Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (FPLUS)
Description: These loans are made directly to parents of dependent students by participating lenders. FPLUS Loans have a fixed interest rate of 8.5%. Contact the Student Financial Services Department for the most current interest rates. Lenders will require a credit evaluation to determine the parent’s eligibility for this loan. A parent may borrow up to the difference between the student’s educational costs and other financial aid the student receives for each academic year. A variable insurance fee (up to 1%) and a variable origination fee (up to 3%) are deducted from the amount borrowed.
Repayment: Repayment begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed. See your Student Financial Aid Officer to obtain a sample repayment plan.
How payments are made: Most lenders will electronically transmit the loan funds to the school by a process called Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). With the borrower’s permission, the loan proceeds will automatically be transferred to the student’s account; this usually occurs prior to the beginning of each term. Occasionally FPLUS Loan copayable checks are mailed directly to the school each term. If your lender sends a check, the school will forward the check to your parent to endorse and return to the school so the loan proceeds can be applied to your student account. See your Student Financial Aid Officer for more details.
Federal Work-Study
Through the Federal Work-Study program, you have the opportunity to meet part of your expenses by working part-time on or off school premises. A limited number of jobs are available, with priority given to students with the greatest need. Our Student Financial Services Department has more details. The maximum a student can earn through this program is the amount of unmet need (the difference between expenses and all resources). Wages from this program may be paid directly to you as you earn them or as a credit to your school account. As with any job, several weeks may pass before you receive your first paycheck, so you will need to cover your own expenses initially.
Alternative Loan Programs
The Art Institutes participate in several alternative loan programs. Interest rates, processing fees, eligibility requirements, and repayment terms differ for each program. Alternative loans are through private lenders and usually require a credit check and/or a cosigner. Staff at the Student Financial Services Department can discuss these programs with you in more detail. Program availability and terms are subject to change. You can use alternative loans if you are eligible and need assistance beyond that available through traditional aid programs. Contact the Student Financial Services Department for application and eligibility requirements and a sample loan repayment schedule.
Veterans Education Act
The Veterans Education Act provides varying levels of assistance to eligible veterans, disabled veterans, and their dependents. If you are a veteran or the dependent of a veteran, contact your local Veterans Administration for more information.
Vocational Rehabilitation Programs
Every state has programs to help people with physical and mental disabilities. Some states offer retraining programs for people who have been out of the job market for a length of time. Eligibility criteria and amounts vary according to state regulations. For more information, contact your local vocational rehabilitation office, unemployment office, or your state department of human resources.
Payment Plan Options
The Art Institutes offer low-interest payment plan options that enable payments to be made on a monthly basis while attending the school. Our Financial Aid Officers review payment plan options with students while reviewing their financial aid awards to help identify the best possible combination of financial resources to meet their needs.