Scholarships and Financial Aid

Best Grad Schools US News and World Reports

We are very proud to have been ranked as the #2 fine arts graduate program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. 

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Office of Undergraduate Admissions
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1201
Chicago, IL 60603 
Phone: 800.232.7242 or 312.629.6100
Email: admiss@saic.edu

85% Of Students Receive Some Form of Financial Aid

85% of degree students are awarded some form of aid

46 Million Dollars in Financial Aid is Awarded Annually to Students

$46 million in financial aid is awarded annually to SAIC degree students

Commencement Ceremony Badge Small

95% of SAIC students are employed or in grad school six months after graduation

Scholarships

SAIC Undergraduate Merit Scholarships

We award merit scholarships to new students based on a holistic review of student portfolios, test scores, artist's statements, academic records, and recommendations. Merit scholarships are annually renewed as long as students maintain successful academic standing. Scholarships are financial awards that do not need to be repaid.

Types of Merit Scholarships

  • Presidential
  • Distinguished
  • Honors
  • Recognition
  • Incentive
  • Enrichment

International:

  • Trustee
  • Premier
  • Esteemed
  • Influential

No additional application is required; merit scholarships are awarded at the time of admission based on a holistic view of your portfolio and application materials. Learn more about how to assemble a scholarship-winning portfolio.

Outside Scholarships

In addition to SAIC scholarships, there are many sources of outside scholarships. We encourage students to begin their search early. 

Listing of Opportunities

We also post frequent opportunities on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Financial Aid

FAFSA

U.S. Citizens and eligible non-citizens should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need- and non-need based aid.

Important Dates:

OCT 1 FAFSA Opens
DEC 1 FAFSA Priority Deadline
JAN 15 FAFSA Award Letters sent for admitted Fall students who have applied
 

Find tutorials and helpful information on filling out the FAFSA.

Please include our school code, #001753, on the FAFSA so that your information is sent directly to us to evaluate.

Gift Assistance

Federal and state governments offer gift assistance (which does not need to be repaid) to eligible students.

Examples include:

  • SAIC need-based grants and scholarships
  • Endowed and restricted scholarships
  • Federal Pell Grants
  • Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
  • Veterans Benefits
  • Monetary Award Program (MAP) for Illinois residents attending approved Illinois schools
  • Other state-funded programs

Employment Opportunities

  • Federal Work Study Program
  • Institutional Employment

Loans

  • Federal Direct Subsidized Stafford Loan
  • Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
  • Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
  • Private Education Loans

For further details on Financial Aid, please visit our Student Financial Services pages.