Types of Aid
Scholarships and Grants
Merit scholarships are awarded on portfolio strength and academic achievements. These scholarships can be up to $30,000.
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
MALDEF (Latino Legal Voice for Civil Rights in America)
OCA (Asian Pacific Americans)
Foster Success (Ohio)
Ohio Reach (former foster youth)
Peterson’s
Point Foundation – The National LGBTQ Scholarship Fund
RedKite
Sallie Mae’s Scholarship Search
Scholarships.com
Scholarships on Chegg
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Scholly
Student Scholarships
Unigo
United Negro Fund
US News & World Report Scholarship Finder
These organizations offer scholarships to people living in Northeast Ohio. Check for similar organizations if you live outside Northeast Ohio.
LEAF (Lake-Geauga Educational Assistance Foundation)
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 2026-27 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 2026-27 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 2026-27 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 student loans to help cover educational costs. A FAFSA submission is required. The present interest rate is 6.52% and subject to a 1.057% fee.
- 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.
Federal Loan Update July 2026: Proration Based on Enrollment Intensity
A recent federal regulation change affects how student loan amounts are calculated for students who are not enrolled full-time.
What’s Changing?
Federal Direct Loan amounts must now be prorated based on your annual enrollment intensity. This means your loan eligibility may be reduced if you are enrolled in fewer than the number of credits required for full-time status.
How It Works
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Full-time students remain eligible for the standard annual loan limits.
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Less-than-full-time students (e.g., three-quarter, half-time) may receive a reduced loan amount proportional to their enrollment level.
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Enrollment changes during the term may impact your loan eligibility.
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Be aware that dropping or adding classes can affect your loan eligibility.
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Contact the Financial Aid Office before making enrollment changes if you have questions about your aid.
A Parent PLUS Loan allows a parent of a dependent undergraduate student to borrow money to help cover their student’s college costs. The parent borrower must pass a basic credit check.
Borrowing Limits (Effective July 1, 2026)
- Annual limit: Up to $20,000 per student
- Lifetime (aggregate) limit: $65,000 per student
Planning tip: If you expect to borrow over four years, consider limiting borrowing to about $16,250 per year to avoid reaching the lifetime limit before the final year.
Legacy borrowers: Parents who borrowed PLUS loans prior to July 1, 2026 may still borrow up to the cost of attendance minus other financial aid.
Repayment of the PLUS typically begins shortly after the loan if fully disbursed, however, parents may request a deferment while the student is enrolled at least halt-time when applying.
Private education loans are offered by banks and private lenders to help students cover their educational expenses. These loans are credit based and students are encouraged to apply with a credit worthy co-borrower.
A co-borrower can improve the likelihood of loan approval and help qualify for a lower interest rate.
Federal Direct loans often have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans.
Compare lenders and apply through the FAST CHOICE website. The Cleveland Institute of Art does not endorse any private lender.
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 offer is not a lump sum that will be subtracted from your bill.
Download CIA’s Work Study Brochure and the Federal Work Study Student Handbook for more information.
Please be aware that when you accept Federal Work-Study, it is your responsibility to secure employment.
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 (2026-27)
- Cost of Attendance Appeal (2026-27)
- Financial Aid and Scholarship Appeal Form (2026-27)
- Special Circumstances Appeal (2026-27)
- Verification Worksheet - Dependent Student (2026-27)
- Verification Worksheet - Independent Student (2026-27)
- International Student Certificate of Finances Guidelines
- International Student Certificate of Finances Form