Graduate Next Steps

In order to make online deposits, view financial aid, and review billing information, you will need to activate your ARTIC account. This account will also provide you with access to your SAIC email, Self Service, library databases, and much more.

Please note that you will need your SAIC ID number in order to complete this process. Activate your account here.

For more information about your ARTIC account, visit the help desk website or contact Technical Support at 312.345.3535 or crithelpdesk@artic.edu.

Please visit the Graduate Financial Resources section below.
Schedule a counseling appointment with Student Financial Services

Important Dates

Important Information Regarding the 2025-26 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Once the Department of Education releases student FAFSA information to SAIC:

• An informational email will be sent to students letting them know the fully processed FAFSA information has been sent to their listed colleges on the FAFSA.
• An informational email will be sent to students notifying them they can view their FAFSA Submission Summary by logging in to StudentAid.gov.
• Students will be able to make corrections to their FAFSA and view their full application by logging back into their StudentAid.gov account.

If you have not yet submitted your 2025-2026 FAFSA, please do so as soon as possible at fafsa.gov.  Should you have any questions prior to submission or after receiving notification related to your reward, please contact Student Financial Services at saic.sfs@saic.edu or  312.629.6600.
 

The $500 nonrefundable enrollment deposit must be made by the date posted on your admissions letter in order to secure your space for the incoming class.

To make your enrollment deposit (be sure to turn off your pop up blocker first):

1. Visit saic.edu/selfservice
2. Enter your login information. If you haven't yet activated your login (and SAIC email), you can do it at password.artic.edu. You will need your SAIC ID and birthdate.
3. Click on "Student Homepage" in the top center of the page and go to the "Financial Account" section.
4. Click on the "Transact" button. Make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off. A new window showing Transact should appear.
5. In Transact, click on "Make a payment or ARTICard Deposit" in the menu on the left-hand side.
6. Click on "Enrollment Deposit-Degree only."

Though online payment is the preferred method for paying your tuition deposit, you may also send a check or money order to:

SAIC Graduate Admissions
36 S. Wabash, suite 1201
Chicago, IL 60603

Questions?
Contact the Admissions office at 312.629.6100, 800.232.7242 or gradmiss@saic.edu.

Off-Campus Housing

SAIC is located in the heart of downtown Chicago, easily accessible from many of the city's historic and diverse neighborhoods. The Residence Life office staff can serve as a resource to you as you seek off-campus housing.

Residence Life has also created the off-campus housing guide for your convenience. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of apartment searching within the city of Chicago. The guide also provides a number of important phone numbers and other contact information for essential utilities such as Commonwealth Edison and People's Gas. 

On-Campus Housing

Housing invitation offers are sent on a weekly, rolling basis to admitted students. Your invitation letter provides your username and password information for the Residence Life Application site.

Students who wish to live on campus should:

1. Log in to the Residence Life Application site
2. Enter preferences for building, room, bed type and lifestyle choices
3. Mail or fax a signed copy of your housing contract to: The School of the Art Institute, Attention: Residence Life Office 36 S. Wabash Ave. suite 1203, Chicago, IL 60603
4. Pay your $550 housing payment through SAIC Self-Service. A link to Self-Service is provided under the Quick Links section on the Student Dashboard. You may also send a check or money order to the Residence Life office at the address above.
5. Once the Residence Life office has received and processed your signed housing contract and prepayment, you will receive and email notification to your SAIC email account that you have secured a space on campus.
6. Room assignments and roommate contact information will be available the second week of August.

Learn more about SAIC Housing.

Questions?

Contact Residence Life at 312.629.6870 or reslife@saic.edu.

Schedule a registration appointment:

Departments will email you directly by early April with instructions on how to register for classes, following the submission of your deposit. Registration begins on April 14. If you have questions regarding registration, please refer to your departmental contact below.

Make Payment Arrangements

Student Financial Services is dedicated to helping you through the process of financing your education at SAIC and has provided multiple ways to manage your payments, including payment plans which stretch your tuition payments over the course of the semester.

Payment in full or payment arrangements of any balance not covered by financial aid is required prior to the start of each semester in order to avoid late fees, restriction of access on campus, and prevention from future registration and release of academic transcripts/diplomas.

Payment Information

• Electronic bills (eBills) are provided monthly in Transact if you have a balance due or if you have had account activity since the last monthly bill. They can be viewed online by students and Payers if they have been set up in Transact by the student. SAIC does not mail paper bills.
• Payment in full or payment arrangements of any balance not covered by financial aid is required by August 15 for the fall semester, December 15 for the winter term, January 15 for the spring semester, and May 15 for the summer term in order to avoid late fees, restriction of access on campus, and prevention from future registration and release of academic transcripts/diplomas.

Payment Options:

Cash, Check or Money Order (Made Payable in U.S. Currency)

• Mail: SAIC's Bursar's Office, 37 S. Wabash, suite 245, Chicago, IL 60603
• In-person: SAIC's Bursar's Office, Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Credit Card, ACH (Automated/Electronic Check Handling), Wire Transfer

• Made online through Transact in SAIC Self-Service—All major credit cards are accepted.
• To allow other people to make payments, you will need to set up a Payer account for them.
• A service fee is charged for credit card payments, but not for ACH payments.
• To pay by wire transfer, obtain a conversion rate quote in Transact and take it to your lending institution to have the funds sent to SAIC.

Tuition and Fee Payment Plan

• Four payment semester plan available through Transact in Self-Service for fall and spring semesters
• Three payment semester plans available for summer semester
• Payment plan enrollment fee—$50 per semester
• Enroll online through Self-Service

Important Dates:

• Early July: Fall charges and payment plans available
• Late July: First fall e-bill available in Transact
• August 1: AIADO students ONLY—Laptop payment in full or laptop payment arrangements due
• August 25: Tuition payments or payment arrangements due
• August 25: Health insurance waivers due to Student Financial Services

Questions?

Student Financial Services
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1200
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 312.629.6600
Fax: 312.629.6601 
Email: saic.sfs@saic.edu
Website: saic.edu/cost-financial-aid 
Q&A: saicsfs.freshdesk.com/support/home
 

Accept or Waive Health Insurance

Health insurance coverage is required for all full-time domestic graduate students and for all international students. If you wish to accept SAIC's coverage you need not do anything further and the charge will be applied to your account. Visit SAIC Health Services for more information.

You may waive health insurance by doing the following:

1. Complete a waiver form by the end of the first day of classes (available at saic.myahpcare.com); AND
2. Provide proof that your coverage meets SAIC's minimum standards; AND
3. Allow SAIC's designee, Academic HealthPlans, to verify your coverage.

Please note: If you are a full-time domestic student and then drop to part-time before the end of the add/drop period, the health insurance charge will automatically be removed from your account and health insurance coverage will not be provided. Health insurance coverage can be reinstated if you request health insurance online through saic.myahpcare.com.​

Immunization Records

Illinois state law requires proof of general immunizations for all college students enrolled for six or more credits per semester. Proof of immunization is due by May 15 for summer starts, and July 1 for students starting in the fall. Students who are noncompliant will not be permitted to register for the next term. 

Please see saic.edu/health for immunization requirement details and record submission instructions.

Questions?

Contact the SAIC Health Services Office at 312.499.4288 or healthservices@saic.edu.
 

Send Final Transcripts

Final transcripts are due in the Admissions office by July 1.

If you only submitted unofficial transcripts via SlideRoom, you will need to submit official transcripts with graduation date listed by July 1. Transcripts are only considered official if sent directly from the degree-granting institution to SAIC.

Transcripts may be emailed to gradmiss@saic.edu or mailed to:

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago 
Graduate Admissions 
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1201 
Chicago, IL 60603

Attend Orientation

All incoming graduate and post-baccalaureate students are required to attend Orientation. Please see the Orientation Website for detailed information on New Graduate Student Orientation, International Graduate Student Orientation, Information Sessions, and the All Graduate Student Reception.

SAIC ARTICard (ID Card)

The ARTICard is SAIC's mandatory identification card which provides access to facilities, equipment, and library books, as well as providing debit card capabilities on campus and at select off-campus sites. It can be used to make copies, print projects, do laundry, purchase books and supplies, and buy food. There is no membership fee, service charge or minimum balance. The balance carries over from semester to semester, year to year until the account is closed.

Deposits to your ARTICard can be made by cash or check at the ARTICard Office, via mail by check or money order (ARTICard Office, 37 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603), or online with a credit card or electronic check (see instructions for depositing to your ARTICard online). Make checks payable to SAIC.

Questions? 
Contact ARTICard/U-Pass office at 312.629.9362 or articard@saic.edu. 

Ventra U-Pass

The U-Pass entitlement, loaded onto a Ventra U-Pass card, allows full-time students unlimited use of CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) bus and rail transportation each fall, spring and winter term. The U-Pass entitlement is not offered during the summer term. The Ventra U-Pass card can be used as a full fare card whenever the U-Pass entitlement is not active. The cost of the U-Pass entitlement is $155* per fall and spring semester, a savings of over $200 when compared with regular CTA fares.

A $35* U-Pass fee will be charged to full-time students during the winter session. This mandatory fee is automatically charged to all full-time students’ tuition and fee accounts each semester. A one-time $5 fee, which covers the cost of the card, will also be charged to each full-time student’s account for the initial issuance of the Ventra U-Pass card. The Ventra U-Pass is distributed during the first week of school and should be kept for subsequent semesters. Incoming transfer students who hold a Ventra U-Pass card from their previous school can contact the ARTICard office to have their card information transferred to SAIC.

In July, an email will be sent to your @saic.edu email address containing a digital version of the Ventra U-Pass Terms & Conditions. The email will be sent via the DocuSign digital signature system and you will be able to sign it digitally along with other required documents.

Questions? Contact the ARTICard/U-Pass office at 312.629.9362 or articard@saic.edu.

Textbooks

The DePaul University/Barnes & Noble College Bookstore, located at the corner of Jackson Blvd. and State St. (1 East Jackson Boulevard), is SAIC's designated primary provider for textbooks and course packet services. The store provides a space in the textbook area of the lower level for all SAIC class book titles and course packets (all SAIC books and course packets are found under the department "SAIC" and are then organized alphabetically by SAIC department). The store accepts ARTICard for purchases, and also buys and sells used textbooks.

You can access SAIC class book lists at depaul-loop.bncollege.com. From the top tab, choose “Course Materials and Textbooks,” select "Find Course Materials" and select “DePaul University Loop Campus and SAIC” as your campus. The upcoming term for SAIC will be displayed- enter the requested course information to find materials for your course. Please note: Many courses may not have books or supplies listed until the beginning of the semester.

DePaul University/Barnes and Noble College Bookstore Operating Hours

Class Supplies

During the weeks leading up to the start of classes and/or during the first week of class, faculty may share syllabi and suggested course supplies on Canvas.

Finding a Job

The Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) office assists students in finding on-campus, Work-Study jobs (which begin to be posted in late July/early August) as well as finding off-campus employment. 

Starting with your first semester, you should make use of CAPX resources including: developing career strategies; preparing resumes and portfolios; finding funding and writing grant proposals; pursuing exhibition opportunities and developing networking and interviewing skills.

Teaching Assistantships (TAs) at SAIC

You can access all available Teaching Assistantships via Handshake. If you are logging in for the first time, you will be asked to complete a quick survey about your preferences. Students are automatically signed up for Handshake through their ARTIC account, and you can sign in to Handshake using your SAIC.edu username and password.

Contact Career and Professional Experience (CAPX), 312.499.4130 or careers@saic.edu for help with your job search or accessing your Handshake account! Direct specific TA position inquiries to the administrative director of the academic department to which you were admitted.

Pay Rates

A graduate student will be paid $23.80/hour for teaching his/her own class (Instructor of Record), and $17.20/hour for assisting a full- or part-time instructor (TAB). Federal Work-Study eligibility is not required for TA positions.

US citizens, US naturalized, or US green card holders (Permanent Residents) can find instructions here.

Watch our Online Information Session Recording “How to Apply for Financial Aid Using the FAFSA."

There are two types of financial aid awards available: merit-based and deed-based.

All applicants, regardless of domestic or international status are considered for merit-based scholarships without a separate application. They are competitive: determined by the faculty at the same time as when final admission decisions are made, and considered based on the content of your application, your interview (if your program conducts interviews), and your overall fit in the program against all other applicants applying. This is where the content of your application in its entirety is most crucial—are aspects all considered.

The number and amount of available merit awards vary by program and by year.

Need-based financial aid and awards are issued after completing the FAFSA (at fafsa.gov using SAIC school code 001753). Only US citizens, US naturalized, or US green card holders (Permanent Residents) are eligible for this federally-sourced financial support. The amount awarded is based on financial information confidentially reported in the FAFSA. Students demonstrating the highest need often receive up to 35-40 percent in gift funding–that is, grants (not loans) that are not borrowed nor required to be paid back. Those with the highest reported need are also typically eligible for loans to offset the remaining tuition balance, however borrowing loans is a personal decision best left in your hands, to make the most responsible decision mindful of your own resources.

Merit-based scholarships are awarded in addition to need-based aid, however receiving a merit award may also affect your need-based awards depending on the amount.
 

Merit scholarship recipients will be personally notified of their award by phone, email, or both directly by faculty—alongside their admission into the program, and without a separate application.

While all international students are considered for merit-based awards, SAIC is not able to provide loans to international students. We are limited to advising international applicants to seek financial assistance in loans or grants primarily from their home country of citizenship or their personal resources. As an international applicant, you will find specific International Student Affairs Resources here—specifically with a comprehensive list of resources gathered by our International Student Affairs office and updated frequently.

Here are all of SAIC’s most comprehensive lists of Graduate outside scholarships and resources: 

Student Financial Services Resources 
Graduate Outside Scholarships 
 

View the Graduate and Post-Baccalaureate Student Budget, and see tuition, fees, and other estimated costs on the costs and fees page. 

Take it a step further and fill in a Student Budget Worksheet. It does the math for you, just plug in your numbers and see exactly where you stand.

Your financial aid award is accessible via your Self-Service Student Account (see "Step 1: Set up Your ARTIC Account" above under Next Steps).

Any award and loan information included in your Financial Aid packet will also be visible here. To access it follow these instructions:

1. Go to the Student Dashboard, then Self-Service (at the top left)
2. Request a statement of your account: Financial Account >  Statement of Account

The Career and Professional Experience (CAPX) office assists students in finding on-campus Work-Study jobs (which begin to be posted in late July/early August) as well as finding off-campus employment. Starting with your first semester, you should make use of CAPX resources including: developing career strategies; preparing resumes and portfolios; finding funding and writing grant proposals; pursuing exhibition opportunities and developing networking and interviewing skills.

There are teaching assistantship positions (TAs) open every semester in most studio and academic departments, and all graduate students are eligible to apply. TA positions are much like part-time work in that they are paid hourly rather than in exchange for tuition costs and do not involve a stipend. Three to six hours of class time per week is required along with additional preparation time outside of class. These positions are primarily meant to provide students with valuable teaching experience and to offset a portion of living expenses. It is likely that all interested students will be a TA for at least one or two semesters over the course of their time at SAIC. Some TA spots are held for incoming graduate students, and there are occasionally other undergraduate teaching opportunities.

Students must apply via Handshake by the semiannual deadlines. Semiannual application deadlines and information on how to apply is posted online and emailed to all graduate students in the spring and fall. A graduate student will be paid $20.00/hour for teaching their own class (TAA), and $15.40/hour for assisting a full- or part-time instructor (TAB). Federal Work-Study eligibility is not required for TA positions.

Contact the CAPX office at 312.629.6820 or careers@saic.edu for more information about on campus jobs and teaching assistantships.

Contact the SAIC Student Financial Services (SFS) Office: 
FAQ Website: saicsfs.freshdesk.com/support/home
Phone: 312.629.6600 
Email: saic.sfs@saic.edu 
Main website: saic.edu/cost-financial-aid 
FAFSA School Code: 001753

Student Financial Services Counseling
Schedule a counseling appointment with Student Financial Services