Grants

To help meet the financial needs of our students and their families, several institutional, federal and state grants are available at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Grants do not require repayment and are based on financial aid. Grants differ from scholarships, which usually require students to meet specific criteria such as a certain major or exceptional grades. 

Applying for Grants

Once you complete and submit your FAFSA, you automatically are considered for grant funds. No additional application procedures are necessary for grant consideration unless you are selected for verification. If you are selected, the Office of Financial Aid will assist you with completing this process.

Federal Grants

Besides the grants below, you may be eligible for additional federal financial aid, so take a moment to read through the 2016-17 Guide to Federal Student Aid for all your options. 

Federal Pell Grant

The U.S. Department of Education information that you provided on your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for this grant. Pell Grants are based on your financial need, cost of attendance, and your status as a full-time or part-time student. The maximum Federal Pell Grant award for the current 2015-16 academic year is $5,775. The maximum Pell Grant award for the 2016-17 academic year is projected to be $5,815.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)

This campus-based grant program offers limited funding ($500) to Pell Grant-eligible students who demonstrate exceptional financial need (zero EFC) as determined by information submitted on the FAFSA. If there are any remaining funds after awarding all students with a zero EFC, SEOG funds will be awarded to the students with the lowest Expected Family Contribution (EFC).

Ohio College Opportunity Grants (OCOG)

This grant is based on Ohio residency, first college start date, enrollment status, and information submitted on the FAFSA. Only students who provide information on the FAFSA resulting in an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $2,190 or less AND a maximum family income of $75,000 or less, are eligible for an OCOG. The current amount of OCOG for students attending CIA on a full-time basis is $2,592 for the 2015-16 academic year. The amount of the OCOG for the 2016-17 academic year is unknown at this time.

CIA Institutional Grants

Cleveland Institute of Art awards need-based grants to students with exceptional talent, academics, and financial need based on information submitted to the offices of admission and financial aid.