The Art Institute of Philadelphia 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 Grant 
• Federal SEOG (Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant)
• PHEAA (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) Grant
• Art Institute Scholarships 

• Other Scholarships

• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Veterans Benefits
• Tax Benefits

Loans – loans do need to be repaid; 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. 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 cosigner.

• Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
• Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
• Federal PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students)
• Federal Perkins Loan
• Alternative Loans
• Home Equity Loan
• International Student Loan Program

Work – some students choose to work to help to pay their living expenses while attending school. The Art Institute of Philadelphia 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