Types of Financial Aid

APPLY:

	All applicants must adhere to the published deadlines to receive full consideration for financial aid.
	Students who file for financial aid after the published priority dates will receive consideration only if funding remains.
	It is advisable to apply early to ensure that deadlines are met. The March 1 priority date will allow returning applicants to adhere to published deadlines for Federal and most State Grants including the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) State Grant.
	If you are a new student applying to the Academy you should submit your application on or before March 1.
	Make sure that you follow all instructions. Your applications must be complete when submitted to avoid any delays in processing.

		Institutional Aid Academy Scholarships are awarded to assist in the cost of education at the Academy for Full-Time, matriculated students who meet eligibility requirements. Awards will be applied to your tuition account. To apply: To apply for Academy Assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) The annual application deadline is March 1 for new applicants and April 1 for returning students.
		Merit Scholarships - BFA and Certificate Programs The Admissions Committee awards merit scholarships based on review scores of entrance portfolios for Certificate and BFA students. Partial scholarships are awarded to the highest ranking portfolios. In order to be eligible, applicants must submit their completed application and portfolio on or before the annual merit award deadline of March 1 or May 1 (for the extended Fall 2008 deadline), or December 1 for Early Decision candidates.
		Academy Merit Award - MFA program The Graduate Admissions Review Committee awards partial merit scholarships to the highest rated portfolios from the applicant pool each year. These scholarships are renewable in the second year of the MFA program with the understanding that recipients have successfully completed the first year of the program. To be eligible, applicants must submit their completed application and portfolio on or before the annual graduate merit award deadline of February 1. Please note that this is not a post-mark deadline, but an in-office deadline so please prepare your application and portfolio as early as possible.
		Federal College Workstudy The Federal College Workstudy (FCWS) Program provides funding for jobs for students who meet eligibility requirement. Students work within the institution and are paid on an hourly basis. FCWS is NOT applied to your tuition account. Application and deadline requirements are the same as above.
		Federal Pell Grant The Federal Pell Grant is a grant that is awarded to undergraduate students who do not have a Bachelor's Degree and who meet Federal eligibility requirements. The Grant does not have to be repaid and will be applied to your tuition account. To apply for the Federal Pell Grant you must complete the FAFSA form. Deadline: Apply by March 1 for priority consideration. This grant can continue to be awarded during the school year.
		PHEAA State Grant The PHEAA State Grant is a grant for undergraduate students who have not earned a Bachelor's Degree, who are residents of PA, and who meet state eligibility requirements. The Grant does not have to be repaid and will be applied to your tuition account. Deadline: The PHEAA application annual deadline is May 1.
		Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) The FSEOG Grant is a grant for undergraduate students who have not earned a Bachelor's Degree and who demonstrates exceptional need which is based on the FAFSA information received. Priority is given to students who receive Pell Grants. The Grant does not have to be repaid and will be applied to your tuition account. To apply for any of the listed awards you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for Academy Assistance. Priority date is March 1.

To receive aid from any of the above programs, you must meet the following criteria:

	show financial need (by application through the FAFSA form)
	have a high school diploma or GED
	be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a student working toward a degree or certificate in and eligible program
	have made academic progress

Internet Scholarship Information

Here are some web sites that will be helpful in your search for additional scholarship funding outside of the Federal aid system.

	Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (http://www.pheaa.org)
	College Board Online (http://www.collegeboard.org)
	SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid (http://www.finaid.org)

	FastWeb - Free Internet scholarship search (http://www.fastweb.com)

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