Student Financial Services

If you are looking for the latest tuition and housing rates or need to pay your bill, the Bursar's Office is the place to go. 

Contact the Bursar's Office at email bursar@pafa.org.

Important Billing Dates

SemesterBills MailedDue Date
FallThe first week of JulyAugust 15
SpringThe first week of DecemberJanuary 10

Tuition bills are available online via the Student Portal or mailed upon request.

Check out our Student Billing FAQ sheet for more help.

Financial Aid Deadlines

FAFSA Application Opens AnnuallyJanuary 1
Scholarship Priority ConsiderationFebruary 1
PA State Grant deadline for renewal applicationsMay 1
PA State Grant deadline for new applicantsAugust 1

Resources

Students at work in Cast Hall

Financial Aid

Learn more about the Financial Aid process, types of funding provided, important application dates, more. Access important documents and forms related to the aid application process.

student in gallery

Tuition & Fees

Find out the tuition rates and additional fees for the current academic year.

Nicole parker in the studio

Access the Student Portal

The Student Portal is where you can securely view and pay your bill, as well as access important academic information including grades, attendance, schedule, announcements, billing statements, transcripts, report cards, and much more.

FACTS

FACTS

Pay your bill through FACTS  using a credit or debit card, electronic fund transfer (EFT), or set up a payment plan in installments (see below).

Payment Options

Check or Money Order

Checks or money orders made in U.S. Dollars payable to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts are accepted by mail or in person.  Postdated checks are not accepted.  Checks returned by the bank as unpaid will accrue an additional returned check fee.

Mail payments to: 
Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts
128 North Broad Street
Attn: Bursar’s Office
Philadelphia, PA 19102


Credit and Debit Cards

PAFA does not accept credit or debit card payments in-person, by mail, fax, or over the phone for payment of tuition, housing, or fees.

Credit and debit cards are accepted online via PAFA’s Student Portal or via FACTS. Processing fees are detailed on each website.


Electronic Fund Transfers (EFTs)

Electronic Fund Transfers or “E-Checks” are also accepted via PAFA’s Student Portal and FACTS. Processing fees are detailed on each website.  You will need your student ID number as well as your banking information (account and routing numbers).


Installment Payment Plans

All students are eligible for an installment payment plan through FACTS regardless of their qualifications for financial aid. To enroll in a payment plan, visit https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/4NWQ7.  If you have any questions, contact PAFA’s Bursar’s Office via bursar@pafa.org or visit the FACTS Help & Support page at https://FACTSmgt.com/Support
 


Past Due Accounts

Any late payment is subject to a monthly late payment charge.  PAFA reserves the right to restrict services, terminate enrollment, contract for outside collections, and pursue legal action in the collection of any past debt at the expense of the debtor.

Student Withdrawal/Refund Policy

Students who officially withdraw from PAFA or reduce the number of credits for which they are registered may be entitled to an adjustment of tuition charges. Withdrawal forms are available through the Registrar’s Office. Verbal notification or non-attendance does not classify as an official withdrawal and does not relieve the student of financial obligation. All fees (registration fee, library fee, etc.) are non-refundable after the first day of class.

Tuition refund policy for students who do not receive aid or have only institutional scholarships (PAFA, MFA, Post-Baccalaureate, and merit scholarships):

Prior to the end of 2nd week of term100%
Prior to the end of 3rd week of term75%
Prior to the end of 4th week of term50%
Prior to the end of 5th week of term25%
After 5th week of term0%

Exceptions:

  • Students called into military service before or during a school term, under provisions of the Selective Service Act.
  • Students under Public Law No. 550 (G.I. Bill).

NOTE:

Refunds to students receiving federal (Title IV) financial aid may be impacted by federal regulations, resulting in student repayment of partial aid. See below for more information. International students who choose to withdraw must clarify their immigration status with the appropriate federal agency before a refund will be considered.


Refund Policy for Students Receiving any Federally-Funded Financial Aid

If a student has received any form of federal (Title IV) financial aid, federal regulations specify how PAFA must determine the amount of aid that a student has earned if s/he completely withdraws, drops out, takes a leave of absence or is dismissed before completing 60% of the payment period. Federal financial aid offered to Certificate, BFA, Post-Baccalaureate, and MFA students and included in the calculation of earned/unearned Title IV aid include federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG Grant, Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal Graduate PLUS, and Federal PLUS Loans.


Withdrawal Date

The withdrawal date is:

  • the date the student began the withdrawal process by officially notifying, in writing, the Registrar or Dean of Student Affairs of his/her intent to withdraw; or
  • the last date of attendance at an academically-related activity by a student who does not notify PAFA; or
  • the midpoint of the semester, if no notification was made and the last date of an academically-related activity cannot be determined.

Calculation for Financial Aid Refunds

The percentage of Title IV aid earned is calculated by counting the number of days from the beginning of the payment to the student’s withdrawal date and then dividing that number by the number of days in the payment period (not including scheduled breaks of five or more days). Once that percentage is determined, it will be multiplied against the total amount of Title IV aid that was disbursed to the student and the amount that could have been disbursed:

  • Percent of Title IV aid “earned” = number of days completed up to the student’s withdrawal date divided by the total number of days in the payment period (not including scheduled breaks).
  • Percent of Title IV aid “unearned” = 100% of the payment period minus the percent of Title IV earned
  • Once the amount of earned Title IV aid is determined, it would be subtracted from the total of Title IV aid that was disbursed or could have been disbursed.
  • If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, PAFA would be required to return a portion of the funds and the student would be required to return a portion of the funds. (The student borrower may owe a balance to PAFA after Title IV funds are returned.)
  • If a student earned more aid than the amount disbursed, PAFA will owe the student a post-withdrawal disbursement which must be paid within 120 days of the student’s withdrawal.
  • If the student received more than the earned amount, the unearned portion will be returned by PAFA and the student in accordance with federal regulations. The institutional charges for the semester will be multiplied by the percentage of Title IV aid unearned and compared to the dollar amount of Title IV aid to be returned. The smaller amount will be returned to the federal program(s).
  • Earned aid is not related to institutional charges. PAFA’s refund policy and Return of Title IV Funds procedures are independent of each other. A student who withdraws from a course may be required to return unearned aid and still owe the college for the course. (See Refund Policy).
  • The amount PAFA must return will be subtracted from the total amount that must be returned. The balance will be due from the student. The student will be responsible to return unearned funds in the same priority order. However, students who have loans will return loan funds in accordance with the terms of the promissory note.
  • A student subject to the Return to Title IV refund calculation will receive written notification to include the amount of unearned grant aid that must be repaid.
  • PAFA must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible no later than 30 days after the date of the determination of the date of the student’s withdrawal.
  • Refunds are allocated in the following order:
  1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
  2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
  3. Unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans (other than Federal PLUS loans)
  4. Subsidized Direct Stafford Loans
  5. Federal Perkins Loans
  6. Federal Parents (PLUS) Loans
  7. Direct PLUS Loans
  8. Federal Pell Grants for which a return of funds is required
  9. Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants (FSEOG) for which a return of funds is required
  10. Other assistance under this Title for which a return of funds is required (i.e. LEAP)

Financial Aid Refunds

If a student’s financial aid award (total of grants and scholarships excluding work/study), with or without the addition of a student loan, exceeds tuition and fees, the amount awarded and/or borrowed above tuition and fees will be returned to the student to assist with meeting educationally related expenses; this will be done each semester. Students will be notified when checks representing aid which exceeds tuition and fees are available.

All refunds from financial aid (including loans) will be processed after the end of the third week of classes or within 14 days of the credit balance.

Deposit Policies

Enrollment Deposit

New, incoming undergraduate (Bachelor of Fine Arts, PAFA/Penn BFA) and graduate (Master of Fine Arts, Low-Residency MFA, Post-Baccalaureate) students are required to pay a non-refundable deposit to secure their enrollment. This deposit will be credited toward the student’s first-semester bill. As a non–refundable deposit, all funds will be forfeited if the student does not enroll for their intended semester.

  • Instructions on submitting the Candidate Response Form and paying the enrollment deposit can be found in the Admissions Portal on the student’s acceptance letter.

Deferral Deposit

Accepted undergraduate (Bachelor of Fine Arts, PAFA/Penn BFA) and graduate (Master of Fine Arts, Low-Residency MFA, Post-Baccalaureate) students are eligible to defer their admission to a later start term – up to one academic year.

  • Approved deferrals require a non-refundable deposit to secure their future enrollment.
  • This deposit will be credited toward the student’s first-semester bill and all funds will be forfeited if the student does not enroll within one academic year.
  • Instructions on submitting the Candidate Response Form and paying the enrollment deposit can be found in the Admissions Portal on the student’s acceptance letter.

Housing Deposit

Students approved for housing at Stiles Hall are required to pay a $500 housing deposit to finalize their room assignment. Please note this deposit is separate from the non-refundable $100 housing application fee. Failure to pay the housing deposit by the stated deadline will result in the student’s housing reservation and application fee forfeiture.

  • Instructions on submitting the Response Form and paying the housing deposit can be found in the student's housing acceptance letter in the Admissions Portal.

Contact Student Financial Services

PAFA is fully committed to assisting students with their financial needs and questions. 

Bursar's Office: bursar@pafa.edu
Financial Aid Office: finaid@pafa.edu