Financial Aid

The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale (AiFL) participates in federal, state, and other financial aid programs. Financial aid is divided into three general categories: gift aid, which includes grants, scholarships, and other benefits requiring no repayment; loans, which require repayment; and work assistance, which includes the Federal Work-Study Program and part-time job assistance. Most grants are based on financial need and are given by federal or state governments. Most scholarships are based on criteria such as performance or affiliation and may or may not include a financial-need component. Loans must be repaid, although repayment may often be deferred until several months after the student has graduated. Work assistance provided by AiFL includes the Federal Work-Study Program, a source funded by the federal government, as well as the college’s assistance to students in finding part-time jobs in the community.

All eligible students may apply for financial assistance under various federal and state programs as follows:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant [FSEOG]
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Work Study [FWS]
• Federal Stafford Student Loan (subsidized and unsubsidized)
• Federal Parent Loan [PLUS]
• Alternative Loan Program
• State-Funded Student Assistance Programs
• Florida Student Assistance Grant [FSAG]
• Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
• Vocational Rehabilitation Assistance
• Veterans’ Administration Benefits (Please check with the Registrar’s Office for further information on V.A. benefits.)
• Bureau of Indian Affairs

Awards under these programs are based on individual need and the availability of funds. Florida offers a state grant program and scholarships. Several other states offer educational grants and permit their residents to use them at AiFL. Contact The AiFL’s Student Financial Services Office for complete details about financial aid resources.

Students receiving financial assistance must maintain satisfactory academic progress standards as outlined in this catalog. For purposes of calculating financial aid eligibility, student status based on credit hours is defined as follows:

• Full-time: Enrolled in 12 credit hours or more in an academic quarter
• Three-quarter-time: Enrolled in 9–11 credit hours in an academic quarter
• Half-time: Enrolled in 6–8 credit hours in an academic quarter
• Less than half-time: Enrolled in 1–5 credit hours in an academic quarter
• Academic year: 36 quarter credit hours or three quarters