Our students are creative, competitive, and open to new ideas. They place great value on an education that prepares them for a challenging career and a lifetime of personal and professional opportunity. Relating to students at a personal level is emphasized. The Student Financial Services department reviews financial aid with students wanting assistance with their cost of attendance.

A qualified staff at the Student Financial Services office is committed to providing students with the individualized services they require in order to complete their programs successfully. Students can receive help in filling out their forms, understanding their financial aid and keeping their student loans current. The dedicated group at the Student Financial Services office will sit down with a student and their family to individually explain their financial plan projection. The open door at the Student Financial Services office makes it convenient for students who need to have a question briefly answered and to parents who need to meet with a Financial Aid Officer after work.

The Art Institute of California — Los Angeles participates in Federal, state and other financial aid programs.

Financial aid is divided into three general categories:

Gift Aid ­
These are grants, scholarships and other benefits that do not have to be repaid. Most grants are based on financial need, as determined by a Federal formula, and are given by the Federal or state governments; most scholarships are based on criteria such as grades or affiliations or other criteria, and may or may not also include a financial need component; most benefits are based on a combination of criteria.

• Federal Pell Grants
• Federal SEOG (Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant)
• California State Grant (Cal Grant)
• SMART Grant
• ACG Grant
• Art Institute Scholarships
• Other scholarships
• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Veterans Benefits
• Tax Benefits

Loans ­
Loans do need to be re-paid; repayment can usually be delayed until several months after the student leaves school. Some loans, such as Federal Stafford Loans and Federal Perkins Loans, are given to students in their own names; some loans, such as Federal PLUS Loans are given to parents of dependent students. Generally, parents must start repaying PLUS loans while the student is still in school. Some loans are based on the student's financial need; some loans require a credit check; some loans are available regardless of income. There are alternative education loans, given by private lenders to students, that may or may not require a co-signer.

• Subsidized Stafford Loan Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL)
• Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
• Federal PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Dependent Students)
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Alternative Loans
• Home Equity Loan

Work ­
Some students choose to work to help to pay for their living expenses while attending school. The Art Institute of California — Los Angeles participates in the Federal Work-Study program, and also assists students to find part time jobs in the community.

• Federal Work-Study
• Part time job assistance