- When do I apply for financial aid?
- How long does it take for me to receive my financial aid package?
- What if my parents or I have not completed our federal taxes? Should I wait to complete the FAFSA?
- How do I receive aid for the winter and summer terms?
- What if I want to apply for both the summer/winter study trip and also enroll in a summer/winter on-campus class?
- Can I appeal for additional financial aid?
- As a parent am I allowed to inquire about my son/daughter's financial aid and student account?
- Where can I look for available scholarships?
- How do I apply for Federal Work-Study? Am I guaranteed a job?
- What paperwork do I need to complete before I begin working my Work-Study job?
- Why was I selected for Federal Verification and what documents do I need?
- I have been awarded a Direct Federal Stafford loan, so how do I accept my loan or is it automatically accepted?
- How do cancel/reduce my Federal Direct Stafford Loans?
- How do I apply for a Parent PLUS loan?
- How long does it take to process my private loan?
- When will I receive my refund?
- Since I have a credit on my account can, it roll over into next semester?
- I can't wait until the add/drop period is over to receive my refund, I need money now at the beginning of the semester, what can I do?
- How can I waive my health insurance?
- How do I find how much I owe the school?
- Does the school offer a payment plan, and how do I set it up?
- How can I make a tuition payment?
- What are the requirements for being an independent student according to the federal government for federal student aid?
- What is the difference between a Federal Work-Study job and teaching Assistant (TA) job?
Financial Aid: Frequently Asked Questions
- SAIC Scholarships and Grants
- Federal/State Grants and Outside Scholarships
- International Financial Aid
- Student Loans
- Student Employment
- Student Payroll
- Applying for Financial Aid
- Helpful Resources
- Websites
- Calculators and Scholarship Searches
- Financial Aid for Disabled Students
- Forms and Guides
- Policies
- Frequently Asked Questions
Student Financial Services
Sullivan Center
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1218
Phone: 312.629.6600
(Push Option 9 for Receptionist and Advisors)
Fax: 312.629.6601
finaid@saic.edu
FAFSA School Code 001753
Office Hours:
Monday–Friday (except for holidays)
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Table of Contents
When do I apply for financial aid?
The priority deadline to complete the FAFSA each year is March 1 at fafsa.gov. Students can still apply for financial aid after the priority deadline, however, they risk losing some financial aid funds.
How long does it take for me to receive my financial aid package?
Student Financial Services has two awarding timelines at the beginning of each awarding year. Awarding for admitted freshmen begins March 1 and for continuing students, April 1. Once SAIC receives the FAFSA from the Department of Education, and depending on your awarding timeline, it can take one to two weeks to be awarded financial aid.
If a document(s) is required to complete the awarding process for admitted freshmen, the student will receive a notice requesting the needed document. Continuing students should check their "To Do List" on SAIC Self-Service Section to avoid any delays in processing.
What if my parents or I have not completed our federal taxes? Should I wait to complete the FAFSA?
Please remember that March 1 is our priority deadline in order to receive the maximum in financial aid for each academic year. Please complete the FAFSA using your best estimate even if you have not filed the tax return. After you have filed, please review the FAFSA and the tax information, and if corrections are necessary, please make the appropriate changes to the FAFSA at fafsa.gov
How do I receive aid for the winter and summer terms?
A completed FAFSA and an SAIC Institutional Application are required for FAFSA recipients for winter- and summer-term classes. For merit-only students, only the SAIC Institutional Application is required for these terms. The application is for on-campus classes only and should be downloaded and submitted to Student Financial Services.
If you would like to apply for aid to attend a study trip, do not use the SAIC Institutional Application. To apply for summer and/or winter Study Trip Financial Aid—students must go to the SAIC Portal and apply.
Once logged into the portal navigate to: Resources > Student life and services > Study abroad > Study trips
What if I want to apply for both the summer/winter study trip and also enroll in a summer/winter on-campus class?
To enroll for a study trip, students must go to the SAIC Portal and apply. Once logged into the portal navigate to: Resources > Student life and services > Study abroad > Study trips.
To apply for an on-campus class, download the on-campus application and submit it to Student Financial Services.
Can I appeal for additional financial aid?
If you believe that there is additional information that we should consider in determining your award or, if your financial situation has changed since filing the FAFSA, you may contact your advisor or submit an appeal to finaid@saic.edu. FAFSA filers should submit copies of federal taxes (if you haven't already done so) for parents or students (if applicable) along with any documentation to support your appeal.
As a parent am I allowed to inquire about my son/daughter's financial aid and student account?
Only certain information can be released and disclosed to parents regarding their son's/daughter's financial or academic records. The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) exists to protect your son's/daughter's right to confidentiality and limits our release of information about your file or award(s). Students may give the Student Affairs written consent to release the information to the parents and/or others by completing the FERPA—Authorization to Release Financial Records form. Only then can Student Financial Services disclose financial records as defined by FERPA.
Where can I look for available scholarships?
Scholarships and suggested scholarship searches for domestic and international students are listed on our website.
How do I apply for Federal Work-Study? Am I guaranteed a job?
Students must complete the FASFA to determine if they are eligible for Federal Work-Study. Unfortunately, students are not guaranteed a job if they are found eligible, and they should contact the Careers and Internships at 312.629.6820 to discuss job opportunities. You can also search out job database, SAIC Launch, and find more information on obtaining a job on the SAIC Portal in the Jobs + Internships + Careers section of the Resources tab.
What paperwork do I need to complete before I begin working my Work-Study job?
Students need to print out the I-9 Verification form located in SAIC Self-Service section of the SAIC Portal, the I-9 packet located at the front desk of our office along with the Work Authorization form.
Why was I selected for Federal Verification and what documents do I need?
The Federal Government randomly selects students for Federal Verification. This process requires the school to request federal documents to verify the completed information listed on the FAFSA. If you are chosen for Federal Verification please look at your "To Do List" on SAIC Self Service and submit the requested forms. Continuing students are not awarded financial aid until these required documents are received and the verification process is complete.
I have been awarded a Federal Direct Stafford loan, so how do I accept my loan or is it automatically accepted?
To accept your Federal Direct Stafford loans please visit studentloans.gov to complete:
- Federal Direct Stafford Entrance Counseling
- Federal Direct Stafford Electronic Master Promissory Note (eMPN)
Please remember these processes are only required once during your enrollment here at SAIC.
How do cancel/reduce my Federal Direct Stafford Loans?
Students can submit their written loan adjustment request to the Student Financial Services Office or email us at finaid@saic.edu.
How do I apply for a Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan?
Parents must complete the appropriate SAIC Federal Direct PLUS Loan Request Form found in the 2012–13 form section. Secondly, the parent must complete a Federal Direct PLUS Loan Master Promissory Note (eMPN) at studentloans.gov.
How long does it take to process my private loan?
Once our office receives the certification request form from your lender, asking us to certify that you are a student at SAIC and that the loan amount is correct, it usually takes five to 10 days to certify your loan.
When will I receive my refund?
The Student Financial Services office begins issuing refunds two weeks after the add/drop period of each semester.
Since I have a credit on my account, can it roll over into the next semester?
Due to federal regulations, SAIC does not carry credit balances into the next semester. Credit balances must be processed for a refund after the add/drop period has ended for that semester.
I can't wait until the add/drop period is over to receive my refund, I need money now at the beginning of the semester, what can I do?
Students can request an advance of their estimated semester refund on the SAIC Self-Service, no earlier than August 15 for the fall semester, January 15 for the spring, and May 15 for the summer.
How can I waive my health insurance?
To waive the SAIC health insurance, please follow the steps below to fill out the waiver form.
Login to the SAIC Portal and navigate to: SAIC Self-Service > Finances > My Account > Health Insurance
Note: The health insurance waiver is due by the first day of class.
How do I find how much I owe the school?
Students can always go to the SAIC Self-Service and request a Statement of Account by following this path: SAIC Self-Service > Finances > My Account > Account Inquiry > Request Statement of Accounts.
Does the school offer a payment plan, and how do I set it up?
The SAIC payment plan offers plan for each semester, and there are four monthly payments. There is an initial $50 processing fee, and you can pay with a credit card or automatic check payment (ACH). If you pay with a credit card, please keep in mind that there is a 2.75 percent convenience fee for every credit card payment made. If you pay with an ACH (electronic check), there is no fee. Signing up for the payment plan must be done online via SAIC Self-Service each semester.
How can I make a tuition payment?
Payments can be made:
- In person:
SAIC Bursar's Office
37 S. Wabash Ave., suite 711
Hours: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday - By Mail:
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Bursar's Office
37 S. Wabash Ave., suite 711, Chicago IL 60603 - Via Wire Transfer:
Our wire transfer instructions are located under the Cost and Payment webpage. - Via CASHNet (Self-Service):
Payments can be made by personal check or credit card (Discover, MasterCard, or American Express). A service fee (based upon amount of payment) is charged by all credit card payments.
Need help accessing CASHNet? If so, follow this path: SAIC Portal > SAIC Self-Service > Finances > CASHNet
What are the requirements for being an independent student according to the federal government for federal student aid?
In order to be considered independent by the federal government, a student must be able to answer "yes" to the 2012–13 questions from 45–57 on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
What is the difference between a Federal Work-Study job and Teaching Assistant (TA) job?
Federal Work-Study jobs are only available to students who have received Federal Work-Study eligibility based on their FAFSA. The Federal Work-Study eligibility amount is the maximum amount a student can earn once they find a job on campus. A teaching assistant job is not part of Work-Study. Graduate students and Post-Baccalaureate students can apply for TA positions through the Careers and Internships.
