Art Degrees Online

We know that financial aid can seem a little overwhelming; new students come to us with many good questions about their options. Here you can find answers for many of those questions and organize the information you’ll need to get started.

You can also rely upon the expertise of your Art Institutes Financial Aid Officer. Together, you’ll put together a plan that allows you to achieve your educational goals. Remember that we’re here to help you, every step of the way.

How much financial aid will I receive?

Most financial aid is based on individual economic circumstances. We determine these by analyzing the financial information you provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

We compute the difference between the total cost of your education and the amount (based on the federally required calculation) that you and your family are expected to contribute. Once this is calculated, we can determine the amount of financial aid for which you are eligible.

How do I know if I am eligible for financial aid?

1. We estimate the cost of your education. Your costs are broken down into direct and indirect costs.

Examples of direct costs include:
Tuition
Fees
Some school supplies

Indirect costs include:
Food
Transportation to and from school
Personal expenses and supplies

Housing expenses can be considered direct or indirect costs, depending on your living arrangements. The Housing Services Office can provide you with information on school-sponsored housing, as well as independent apartments.

We consider both direct and indirect costs when helping you budget adequate financial support during your enrollment at the school. Standard budget figures (available for review in the Student Financial Services Department) are used to estimate indirect costs, based on where you will live when you attend the school.

2. We add up all of your available resources for educational costs.

These resources include:
Family financial resources
Scholarships
Federal grants and loans for which you are eligible
State grants and loans for which you are eligible
Private loans
Veterans Administration (VA) benefits
Work programs

3. We subtract all of the available resources from the total estimated cost of your education.

The difference in direct costs is the amount that can be covered through the student financial planning process.

When should I apply for financial aid?

As soon as you enroll at the school, you should apply for financial aid. To be considered for financial aid, you only have to apply for it. After you are in school, annual deadline dates will be posted.

When will I receive my financial aid?

Your Student Financial Plan provides you with a schedule for aid payments from each aid program you use. These payments are usually made in equal installments for each term in each academic year. Once you complete the Federal Stafford and FPLUS Loan applications, and authorize transfer of funds electronically, your student account is automatically credited with your loan proceeds. Other aid may be paid by a check co-payable to you or your Parent(s) and to the school. You must endorse these checks and submit them to the school.*

*Some loan programs carry origination and insurance fees, which the lender deducts from the amount borrowed.

Choosing the right school for you is very important and we’re here to help you however we can. At The Art Institutes, we have more than 40 locations and a wide variety of programs to suit your talents and needs.

You probably have questions about paying for school and the costs associated with different programs. You can find that information in this section of our Web site as well as specifics for students coming from high school, from other colleges, and even from other countries.

Although a visit to one of The Art Institutes location isn’t required, we encourage you to consider scheduling a tour to the location of your choice. Take a look at the schedule of open houses at The Art Institutes and drop by to learn about what we have to offer to you.

If you’re ready now we want to make the application process as easy as possible and you can apply online right now. Or, if you need more information , fill out our form and we’ll have an admissions representative get back to you and answer all of your questions.

The Digital Photography program teaches you composition, lighting, and equipment use, utilizing a digital camera and software. Darkroom techniques, color, and design are explored both on location and in a studio. You’ll develop business skills as you fine-tune your eye for detail. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as a digital photographer, industrial photographer, photo lab technician, or photojournalist.
Digital Photography Courses & Programs – The Art Institutes programs are offered at the following Art Institute locations:
California
The Art Institute of California — Hollywood (Los Angeles)
The Art Institute of California — Orange County (Santa Ana)
Florida
The Art Institute of Tampa (Tampa)
Illinois
The Illinois Institute of Art — Chicago (Chicago)
The Illinois Institute of Art — Schaumburg (Schaumburg)
Indiana
The Art Institute of Indianapolis (Indianapolis)
Nevada
The Art Institute of Las Vegas (Las Vegas)
Utah
The Art Institute of Salt Lake City (Salt Lake City)

Commercial Photography Classes & Programs

The Commercial Photography program teaches you composition, lighting, and equipment use. Darkroom techniques, color, and design are explored both on location and in a studio. You’ll develop business skills as you fine-tune your eye for detail. You will become familiar with the intricacies of photography for commercial purposes. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as technician, photographer’s assistant, digital-imaging artist, product or still-life photographer, and photo re-touch professional.
Commercial Photography Classes & Programs – The Art Institutes programs are offered at the following Art Institute locations:
Georgia
The Art Institute of Atlanta (Atlanta)
South Carolina
The Art Institute of Charleston (Charleston)
Virginia
The Art Institute of Washington (Arlington)

Choosing the right school for you is very important and we’re here to help you however we can. At The Art Institutes, we have more than 40 locations and a wide variety of programs to suit your talents and needs.

You probably have questions about paying for school and the costs associated with different programs. You can find that information in this section of our Web site as well as specifics for students coming from high school, from other colleges, and even from other countries.

Although a visit to one of The Art Institutes location isn’t required, we encourage you to consider scheduling a tour to the location of your choice. Take a look at the schedule of open houses at The Art Institutes and drop by to learn about what we have to offer to you.

If you’re ready now we want to make the application process as easy as possible and you can apply online right now. Or, if you need more information , fill out our form and we’ll have an admissions representative get back to you and answer all of your questions.

The Visual Effects & Motion Graphics program helps you to learn how to use your creativity to produce attention-grabbing communication design for film, television, and the Web. Visual effects are responsible for movie trailers, opening film credits, television commercials, animated network identities, and short promos. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as production assistant, assistant designer, visual effect specialist, or broadcast design assistant.

In the Computer Animation program, you’ll learn the skills needed to bring characters to life using computer software. Computer Animation is part acting, part storytelling, and part visual art. You’ll study methods to create realistic movement in 3-D digital environments, and collaborate within a team environment to gain practical experience. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as 3-D character animator, computer animator, modeler, and storyboarder.

In the Animation Art & Design program, you’ll learn to conceive and design 2-D and 3-D images using both traditional and digital techniques. You’ll alter, manipulate, and reconstruct characters to interact with audio and video elements. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as storyboard artist, character designer, special effects artist, background painter, clean-up artist, 3-D character animator, modeler, and video postproduction artist.

Animation involves bringing artwork and characters to life with such precision that they truly seem real. Animation is part acting, part storytelling, and part visual art — it’s a mix of both electronic arts and traditional animation skills. In the Animation program, you’ll study methods to create realistic movement in 3-D digital environments, and collaborate within a team environment to gain practical experience. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as 3-D character animator, modeler, and storyboarder.