Types of Aid
Scholarships and Grants
Merit Scholarships are awarded on portfolio strength and academic achievements. These scholarships range and can be up to $28,000.
First-year and transfer students are automatically considered for CIA merit scholarships when they are accepted for admission to CIA. New students who do not receive a merit scholarship can be considered for a need-based CIA grant by submitting the FAFSA.
External scholarships are a great way to supplement any CIA-based aid you receive. To be considered for external scholarship support, contact funding organizations and follow their application procedures. Some external scholarship sources are listed below.
American Indian College Fund
Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund
Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship
Cleveland Foundation
College Board
College Now Greater Cleveland
CollegeScholarships.com
FastWeb
GoCollege.com
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Point Foundation – The National LGBTQ Scholarship Fund
Sallie Mae’s Scholarship Search
Scholarships on Chegg
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Scholly
Student Scholarships
United Negro Fund
The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) is a proud partner with the Say Yes to Education Chapter Alliance Higher Education Compact (Say Yes! Cleveland). CIA along with Say Yes! Cleveland are committed to easing financial obstacles to quality postsecondary education for students from underrepresented and low-income families.
CIA has committed to offering three (3) Say Yes! Cleveland scholarships in the form of grant aid that is equivalent to the cost of full tuition and mandatory fees for the 2025-26 academic year.
Pell Grants are based on financial need, cost of attendance, and your status as a full-time or part-time student. The maximum Federal Pell Grant for the 2024-25 academic year is $7,395.
The SEOG grant program offers limited funding ($500) to Pell Grant-eligible students who demonstrate exceptional financial need based on FAFSA data.
This grant is based on Ohio residency, college start date, enrollment status, and information submitted on the FAFSA, resulting in a Student Aid Index (SAI) of $3,750 or less and a maximum family income of $96,000 or less. The current amount of OCOG for full-time students in 2024-25 is $5,000.
Cleveland Institute of Art awards grants to students with exceptional need as defined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Loans
The Federal Direct loan program are federal student loans to help cover educational costs. A FAFSA submission is required. The present interest rate is 6.533%.
- Subsidized loan interest is paid by the U.S. Department of Education while you are in school at least half-time, during your 6-month grace period after you leave school or during a period of deferment.
- Unsubsidized loan interest is not deferred while the student is in school and the student borrower is responsible for paying it during all periods.
The Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) is a cost-effective solution for parents to help keep their student’s debt burden as manageable as possible. Parents of dependent children may apply for these low-interest loans. Funds from PLUS can only be used to pay expenses such as tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and personal expenses related to attending college.
The PLUS loan may be borrowed up to the cost of attendance (COA) minus any other financial aid the student receives. The loan is subject to a credit check and other eligibility requirements, including US citizenship.
Private education (alternative) loans are offered by private banks to students or to students with a credit-worthy co-borrower. Students are encouraged to apply with a credit-worthy co-borrower to enhance their chances of having their loan approved and qualifying for the lowest interest rate possible.
Federal Direct Loans typically have a lower interest rate than private loans, so students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA to determine if they qualify for Federal Direct Loans before applying for private loans.
Compare a private education loan vs a parent PLUS loan on this downloadable pdf.
You can compare information and apply for some private education loans through the FastChoice website.
The Cleveland Institute of Art does not endorse any private education loan lender. Private education/alternative loans are subject to a credit check and require all subjects to be credit-worthy.
Federal Work Study Program
The Federal Work-Study Program allows students to earn funds for educational expenses by working a part-time job on-campus or at approved off-campus sites. This program is designed to provide students with an opportunity for employment arranged around class schedules.
Work-study funds are paid out like any hourly part-time job and are directly deposited into the bank account of your choice. Your work-study eligibility is not a lump sum that will be subtracted from your bill.
Tuition Exchange Program
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.
Forms + Resources
- Appeal for Independent Student Status Form (2024-25)
- Financial Aid and Scholarship Appeal Form (2024-25)
- Federal Parent PLUS Loan Application, paper-based (2024-25)
- Special Circumstances Form (2024-25)
- Verification of Low Income Form - Dependent Student (2024-25)
- Verification of Low Income Form - Independent Student (2024-25)
- Verification Worksheet - Dependent Student (2024-25)
- Verification Worksheet - Independent Student (2024-25)
- International Student Certificate of Finances Form
- Private Education Loan Self Certification Form