Tuition Exchange Program

Guidelines for Tuition Exchange Recipients (Imports) Attending the Cleveland Institute of Art

The following information explains the Tuition Exchange Program at Cleveland Institute of Art. Policies are subject to change without notice. Tuition Exchange Scholarships are not guaranteed awards and are awarded based on availability as well as artistic and academic merit.

Eligibility

Tuition Exchange scholarships are available to first year students applying for Fall admission and who are family members of employees from Tuition Exchange member colleges.  The home institution of the employee receiving the benefit determines eligibility to apply.  Approximately 10% of applicants are offered a Tuition Exchange award by CIA each year.

This benefit is only available for full-time undergraduate study in one of the majors offered within the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Continuing students who do not receive the award can apply for subsequent years, but will only be considered if a continuing student spot becomes available, which is a rare occurrence.

Application

Students will be considered for the Tuition Exchange scholarship once they have submitted a completed CIA application with all supporting documents (i.e.: portfolio, transcripts, etc.). Completed applications must be received by March 1of the calendar year in which the student intends to enroll to be considered for award.

The Tuition Exchange Application must also be certified by the employee’s home college and received at CIA by March 1 to be considered. Students awarded under the Tuition Exchange program must notify CIA by May 1 of the calendar year in which they intend to enroll by returning the accompanying form to the Tuition Exchange Liaison Officer (see below). In situations when offers are made after May 1st the student is given 2 weeks after notification to return the accompanying form.

Benefit and Costs

Tuition Exchange scholarship recipients at CIA receive the annual minimum set amount established by Tuition Exchange ($43,000 for the 2025-26 academic year).           

Tuition Exchange recipients are encouraged to submit the FAFSA (fafsa.gov) each academic year. Each Tuition Exchange recipient will receive a financial aid award letter from the CIA Office of Financial Aid showing the aid the student is eligible to receive. Applicants who do not receive the award are eligible for federal and college aid and will also receive a financial aid award letter.

In most circumstances, Tuition Exchange recipients are not eligible for any additional CIA funded scholarship or grants to pay the difference in tuition and the amount of the annual minimum set amount of the Tuition Exchange Scholarship established by Tuition Exchange. Federal, state and other non-CIA funded types of aid (external private scholarships, grants, and loans) can be used to offset any remaining billable costs (tuition, fees, and if applicable room and board) as well as other educational expenses (books and supplies, transportation and personal expenses).

If a Tuition Exchange recipient has to withdraw prior to completing 60% of term, the amount of Tuition Exchange is prorated based on the percentage of the term completed. Should a balance be owed after the prorated Tuition Exchange amount is applied to the semester charges, the balance must be paid in full.

Renewal

The Tuition Exchange Scholarship is available for a maximum of eight consecutive semesters of full-time study.  The scholarship will be automatically renewed after the first year unless the employee’s home college removes eligibility. Recipients must also remain in good academic (minimum 2.0 cumulative total grade point average at CIA) and judicial standing to continue receiving the award.

Contact

Lisa Schumann, Associate Director of Human Resources
216.421.7405 | Email