Financial Aid

Financial Aid is where grants, scholarships, loans and work-study are awarded and paid out. 84 per cent of students receive aid; the average undergraduate award is $14,200 a year.

What is on offer

• Grants: federal and state gift aid, never repaid.
• Scholarships: the college's and donors' gift aid, awarded on merit and need; most renew each year you stay in good standing.
• Loans: federal and private borrowing, repaid after you leave; the office counsels you before you sign.
• Work-study: paid as you work in a campus job, so it never shows as a credit.

How to apply

1. File the FAFSA (or the CADAA) by the priority date, Mar 2, 2027. Late files are read in order while funds last.
2. Answer any verification request: the office asks for a worksheet and a tax transcript from about one file in three.
3. Read your award letter in the Financial Aid portal and accept or decline each award.
4. For loans, complete entrance counseling and the Master Promissory Note once.

How aid is paid out

Aid is credited to your student account ten days into each term, once your enrollment is confirmed; this fall that is Sep 24, 2026. Grants and scholarships are split evenly across the terms of the year; loans arrive in two disbursements. Anything above the term's charges comes back to you as a refund within 14 days, by direct deposit when you have set one up. A missing document holds the whole payout until it arrives: the office messages you, and your award letter lists what is still needed.

Keeping your aid

Aid continues while you make satisfactory academic progress: at least two-thirds of attempted credits completed and a 2.0 grade point average, reviewed each August. Dropping below full time in a term can reduce an award; ask before you drop.

Where to find us

Hillside Campus, Center for the Student Experience, second floor. Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm; walk-in hours Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. finaid@artcenter.example · +1 626 555 0200. Signed in, your award letter names your own counselor.