When to Apply for Financial Aid
As soon as you enroll at The Art Institute of California — Los Angeles, you should apply for financial aid. Appropriate application forms are available in the school's enrollment packet - the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), applications for the Federal Stafford Student Loan and Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) with a list of preferred lenders, and The Art Institutes Merit Award application. If you are enrolled before the forms are available for the year in which you will be starting school and you need to know as soon as possible what your financial aid amounts might be, we can provide you with an "Estimator" form. These forms are available from the Student Financial Services office, or can be downloaded here.

Continuing students should apply as soon as possible after the new year's FAFSA is distributed. Deadline dates will be provided each year. Students applying for a California State Grant (Cal Grant) must have their FAFSA and their GPA verification form postmarked by March 2 of the year preceding the award year.

All information provided to the school will be kept confidential. The Art Institute of California — Los Angeles is in compliance with the provisions of the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. This law regulates the release of any personal information. If you need assistance with any of the forms, feel free to call our Student Financial Services for help if you need it. Our number is 1.888.646.4610.

Start the loan application process.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Form
The FAFSA form is a standard document used to determine your eligibility for Federal and some state aid, including:

• Federal Pell Grant
• Federal SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant) 
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Federal Work-Study
• State Grants

There are two ways to fill out the FAFSA.

FAFSA on the Web: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/

The Web application requires you to either have a personal identification number (PIN) for you and your parent (for dependent student) or a printed signature page sent to the Department of Education.  Follow the link to establish a pin at the FAFSA Web site.

FAFSA on paper:  Check with the Student Financial Services department for a free copy of the FAFSA (pink in color)

Tips for filling out the FAFSA

1. Follow the instructions carefully.
2. Give yourself plenty of time without interruptions in a quiet place.
3. Get organized.
4. Gather your personal and family financial records. Here's a checklist of records you may need:

• Federal tax returns forms 1040/1040A/1040EZ and W2 forms 
• If you haven't filed a return yet, find estimates that meets the required information such as the last paystub of the year or a W2
• If you can't find last year's return, call the IRS at 1.800.829.1040 ask for a transcript. It is important to keep a copy of your signed tax return because you may be asked to provide it to the Student Financial Services Office.
• Records of how much you and/or your parent have in cash, savings and your checking account.
• Any investment worth and business worth
• Information relating to income including Social Security benefits, welfare payments, alimony or child support, Veterans Administration benefits, disability benefits and any untaxed income.

Verification Worksheet
Several students are selected at random for a process called verification by the Department of Education. The Student Financial Services department must comply and collect the proper documentations from the student. Please note that signed copies of the Federal tax return need to be submitted.    

Dependent Verification Worksheet (pdf)

Independent Verification Worksheet  (pdf)

Stafford Federal Loan Application: Student
To apply for a Federal Stafford Loan (student loan), use the form provided by the Student Financial Services office or  you may apply online. Or, if you apply online, you will need to print, sign and mail the Promissory Note. If you do not have a printer, the lender will mail you the promissory note. You will need to sign and return it. We suggest that you wait to apply for your loan until you receive your student financial plan, so you will know how much the school recommends that you borrow. Read the promissory note before you sign it. It is a legal document requiring you to pay back the money you borrow. Be sure to answer all of the questions on the application carefully, accurately and completely. These are the grade level maximums. You can apply for up to these amounts:

Before you receive a loan, you will need to participate in a loan counseling "Entrance Interview." Before you leave school, you will need to participate in a loan counseling "Exit Interview." Both of these can be done through the Student Financial Services office or online through the Loan Counseling link on The Art Institute of California — Los Angeles Financial Aid home page.

PLUS Federal Loan Application: Parent
An eligible parent qualifies for Federal PLUS (parent loans are for dependant students only) Loans while their dependent son or daughter attends school. To apply for a PLUS loan, one of your parents must be approved for the PLUS loan. The parent borrower may either  use the application provided by The Art Institute or apply online. We suggest that your parent wait to apply for this loan until you receive your student financial plan. The maximum amount that a parent can borrow is the cost of education minus any aid that the student is receiving. Your parent completes the Borrower section of the form. If you apply online, you will need to print, sign and mail the promissory note; both the parent borrower and the student will need to sign the promissory note. If you do not have a printer, the lender will mail you the promissory note. You and the parent borrower will need to sign and return it.

Supplemental Data Form
In addition to the loan application, students who apply for a loan will need to complete a Supplemental Data Form. This form is available through the Student Financial Services offices.

Alternative Loans 
Contact the Student Financial Services department for information about the available loans and pre-approval process.

California State Grants
www.csac.ca.gov

Early Payment Incentive Credit
Students who wish to pre-pay parts of their tuition can receive a credit of up to $1000. The program requires five on-time monthly payments to the school. Check with the school Student Financial Services department for more details.

EPIC (PDF)

AiEPIC_Remitance (PDF)