Financial Aid FAQs

The US federal government provides financial aid options to students through either federal grants, federal loans or both to help you cover your educational costs. To begin the federal financial aid process, please view our guide to 5 Steps for Completing your Federal Financial Aid.

The school code for Academy of Art University is 007531.

For assistance with understanding the FAFSA process and for help completing your application, please contact a financial aid representative.

The school code for Academy of Art University is 007531.

Cal Grant

Grant aid for California students that does not have to be paid back

• The California Student Aid Commission makes new awards to eligible undergraduate students (based on financial need and GPA) who are California residents, who are enrolled in a minimum of six units, and who meet the application-filing deadline of March 2 (California Grants A and B.) These grants are renewable.
• If you attended an out-of-state high school, are now a resident of California and wish to be considered for a Cal Grant award, please complete the Cal Grant GPA Verification Form and submit it to the Office of the Registrar (registrar@academyart.edu) before the application-filing deadline of March 2.
• See the Cal Grant website for more information.

PELL Grant

Grant aid that does not have to be paid back.

• Awarded to eligible undergraduate students (first AA/BA/BS/BFA) and eligible education certificate candidates.
• Learn more about Pell Grants.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

Grant aid that does not have to be paid back

• Awarded to eligible undergraduate students with exceptional financial need.
• See Federal Student Aid for more info.

Federal Work Study

Financial Aid earned while working.

• Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides students financial assistance that will not have to be paid back.
• FWS is different from other types of financial aid because you do not receive funds until you locate a job and begin working.
• The amount you earn is dependent upon the job you obtain and the number of hours you work.
• One main advantage of FWS employment is that when you apply for future financial aid, your FWS earnings are not included as a financial resource.
• See Federal Work Study for more info.

Direct Stafford Loans

Loans from the government that must be paid back.

• Subsidized loans are available to students with financial need. No interest is charged on a subsidized loan while the student is in school.
• Unsubsidized loans are available to all students regardless of income, less any subsidized amount received. Students are responsible for the interest that will accrue on an unsubsidized loan while in school.
• Additional information about repayment, deferment and consolidation of these loans can be found at the Direct Loans website.

Direct Parent Plus Loans

Loans that are taken out by parents of dependent students that must be paid back.

• Federal Direct PLUS Loans are available to parents and stepparents of dependent students. Borrowers must meet credit history and debt burden requirements. Repayment is amortized over 10 years.
• See the Direct Parent Plus Loans website for more info.

There are hundreds of grants and scholarships available through outside organizations to help you cover your educational costs.

Although grants and scholarships are funds you do not need to pay back, each is different and each has its own set of requirements in order to receive the award. Explore Grants & Scholarships.

Academy students have the option to pay education costs through an installment plan. This allows you to continue your education while managing your budget.

The installment plan enables students to pay their tuition in four separate payments during Fall and Spring and two separate payments for Summer. Students may also use the installment plan for any portion of their tuition not covered by their awarded financial aid.

For more details about our tuition payment plans, please contact 1-415-618-6190.

Dependency status is determined by the Department of Education based on a few factors (age, marital status, children, dependent, veteran, etc.). An independent student will not have to include parent information. A dependent student will need to include parent information.

Dependency status is determined by the Department of Education (https://studentaid.ed.gov/fafsa/filling-out/dependency ) based on a few factors (age, marital status, children, dependent, veteran, etc.). An independent student will not have to include parent information.

You will be able to review, accept or decline the financial aid offered to you in the Student Portal.

If you have any questions regarding your award offer, please contact our Student Financial Services Department at 1-415-618-6190 or SFS@academyart.edu.

Academy of Art University has partnered with BankMobile Disbursements, a financial services company, to provide students with electronic options for refunds. BankMobile is committed to transparently providing students with refund choices.

Some forms can be submitted by logging into the Student Portal. Forms that cannot be submitted online can be submitted several ways:

Fax: 1-415-618-6273

Email: SFS@academyart.edu

By US Mail:
Academy of Art University
Attn: Financial Aid Department
79 New Montgomery St., San Francisco, CA 94105

Federal Work Study

Financial Aid earned while working.

• Federal Work Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides students financial assistance that will not have to be paid back.
• FWS is different from other types of financial aid because you do not receive funds until you locate a job and begin working.
• The amount you earn is dependent upon the job you obtain and the number of hours you work.
• One main advantage of FWS employment is that when you apply for future financial aid, your FWS earnings are not included as a financial resource.
• Get more info at the Work Study website.

Direct Stafford Loans

Loans from the government that must be paid back.

• Students are responsible for the interest that will accrue on an unsubsidized loan while in school.
• Additional information about repayment, deferment and consolidation of these loans can be found at the Direct Loans website.

Direct Graduate Plus Loans

Loans that are taken out by graduate students and must be paid back.

• Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loans are available to eligible students in a graduate or degree or certificate program.
• Borrowers must meet credit history and debt burden requirements.
• See the Direct Graduate Plus Loans website for details.

There are four primary charges billed directly to students by Academy of Art University:

• Tuition
• Course fees
• Housing
• Meal plans

Complete educational costs vary depending on the program, so please schedule an appointment with your student and the Student Financial Services Office to review complete costs and to create a customized financial aid plan for covering educational costs.

Assisting your student in pursuing a degree at Academy of Art University is a big investment. That’s why we encourage all parents of prospective students to get involved in financial aid discussions as soon as possible so you can understand all of  financing options available.

Our Student Financial Specialists work with you and your student to create a customized plan that provides options for paying for school, such as federal and state financial aid.

Speak with a Student Financial Specialist to help you:

• Determine your estimated tuition and expenses based on your location and chosen degree program.
• Review your financial plan and make adjustments if needed. Educational costs vary by program.
• Get help choosing an academic program so you can fully understand the financial cost of your education. Set up an info tour today with the admissions office to find the best program that fits your goals and interests.

The Parent PLUS Loan, a Federal Direct PLUS Loan, is an option for parents of undergraduate students to help pay for educational expenses.

A parent who qualifies may receive a Parent PLUS Loan for the education costs of a dependent undergraduate student who meets the eligible student definition. You can find additional Parent PLUS Loan information at studentaid.gov.

As a parent of a dependent student, you may be eligible for a Parent PLUS Loan as long as your student is a degree seeking student, enrolled for classes at least half time, and meets financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements. Parents will also undergo a credit check to determine your eligibility for the loan.

• A parent must log on to StudentLoans.gov using their own information and FSA ID. Select ‘Request a Direct PLUS Loan’, then select Parent PLUS. Complete the borrower information, student information and loan information. Lastly, review and submit for credit check.
• What is a Direct Parent PLUS Loan? The loan is money that can be used to pay a dependent student’s educational costs including tuition, fees, housing, transportation, supplies, etc.
• Who can apply for the Direct Parent PLUS Loan? A parent or step-parent of a dependent student.
• Why is there a credit check? Direct Loans checks for adverse credit including bankruptcy, repossession, foreclosure, wage garnishment, defaulted loan, etc. Direct Loans is not checking income ratio, credit score, employment status or lack of credit. You will be presented with options if the credit is denied.

The loan limit for a Parent PLUS loan is equal to the total cost of your student’s education (including an allowance for room and board, personal expenses and transportation) minus any other financial aid to be received for the academic year.

If you are denied a Parent PLUS loan, the Academy’s  financial aid office may be able to provide you and your student with alternative options. You may be able to add a cosigner to your Parent PLUS loan, or your student may qualify for an additional unsubsidized Direct Stafford loan.

Please contact the Student Financial Services Office today for a detailed review of Parent Plus Loan eligibility requirements and important financial aid dates and deadlines.

Phone: 1-415-618-6190
Email: SFS@academyart.edu

Academy of Art University is authorized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to certify students enrolled in our degree programs for benefits under the following programs.

• Chapter 30 – Montgomery GI Bill^® – Active Duty
• Chapter 31 – Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E)
• Chapter 33 – Post 9/11 GI Bill^®
• Chapter 35 – Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA)
• Chapter 1606 – Montgomery GI Bill^® Selected Reserve

Eligibility and chapter is determined by the VA.

There are different types of VA education benefits and eligibility, some benefits are paid directly to the student, some benefits are sent directly to the school to be applied to tuition cost, some benefits may cover all of tuition, and some won’t.

Refer to your Certificate of Eligibility and the VA Rate Tables for your approved benefit type for the details of your benefits.  In addition to your specific benefit eligibility, please be aware that the VA only pays for mandatory fees.

For additional information regarding your benefit coverage, please contact our Student Financial Services Office or call 1-415-618-6190.

No, there isn’t a Yellow Ribbon application or form to complete at our school to participate in this program. Students who are Yellow Ribbon eligible and have remaining Chapter 33 eligibility will automatically be certified for Yellow Ribbon, if applicable.

VA Students Bill of Rights and Considerations Prior to Enrollment is a document that all VA students must complete regardless of the type of VA education benefits you are using.

Download your copy of the VA Student Bill of Rights and Considerations Prior to Enrollment.

You will need to get in touch with your admission representative or academic advisor here at our school and request an Academic Plan.

Then take the Academic Plan to your Education Office at your unit to get approved.

Once you are approved, you will be supplied with a TA Authorization Form. We need this form to receive your TA funds. Please email your authorization form to AR@academyart.edu.

The Department of Defense (DoD) has directed a uniform TA fiscal policy across the military services. Currently, the established semester hour cap is $250 and has an annual ceiling of $4,500.

TA covers a total of $750 for one class (3 units). That will not be enough to cover the entire cost of one class.

You may use financial aid, enroll in our payment plan option, utilize other education benefits from other source, or pay the difference out of pocket.

In addition to the Federal Tuition Assistance and Top-Up benefit programs, each service has its own criteria for tuition assistance (TA) eligibility, obligated service, application process’ and restrictions. This money is usually paid directly to the institution by the individual services.

Select your branch or service area below to learn more:

• Air Force Tuition Assistance
• Army Tuition Assistance
• Navy Tuition Assistance
• Marines Tuition Assistance
• Coast Guard Tuition Assistance
• National Guard Tuition Assistance
• Reserve Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance is not a loan; it should be viewed as money you have earned just like your base pay.

For more information on our Military Scholarship click here

To obtain a list of approved educational programs:

1. 1. Go to the Web Enabled Approval Management System (WEAMS) website. Enter ‘Academy of Art University’ in the ‘Institution Name’ field.
   2. Select “Institution of Higher Learning” from the Program Type selector and then select Submit.
   3. Submit your search for a list of approved programs.

This list is regularly maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Call Military Admissions 1-415-618-8551 if you have questions.

Please call VA directly at 1-888-442-4551 to confirm if you are eligible.