SAIC Recognized again for Excellence in Diversity
Learn about our efforts toward supporting and building a diverse community.
SAIC’s new faculty members represent a diverse range of practices, media, and methodologies and exemplify SAIC’s focus on interdisciplinary studies. Read more.
SAIC's suggested FAFSA priority deadline for each upcoming academic year is December 1 for Undergraduate Illinois Residents, January 1 for All Others. More info.
Students have many options when it comes to getting involved in the SAIC community. Learn more.
Youth and Adult Summer Registration Now Open!
Join us this year for an exciting lineup of exhibitions, lectures, screenings, and special events.
Payment in full or payment arrangements of any balance not covered by financial aid must be made by the 15th* before each semester begins in order to avoid late fees, restriction of access on campus, and prevention from future registration and release of academic transcripts/ diplomas.
| Term | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Summer | May 15 |
| Fall | August 15 |
| Winter | December 15 |
| Spring | January 15 |
SAIC Bursar's Office
37 S. Wabash Ave., suite 245
Chicago, IL 60603
312.899.5122
Do not send 529 Plan or Outside Scholarship payments to the Bursar's Office. To avoid delays in processing, those payments must be sent to the Student Financial Services office:
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Student Financial Services Office
Attn: Outside Scholarship Administrator
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1200
Chicago IL 60603
1. Login to Transact
Students—Log into Self-service and click on the Transact button in the Financial Account section. Your internet browser's pop-up blocker must be turned off so Transact will open in a new tab or window.
Parents/Authorized Payer—Login into Transact directly at commerce.cashnet.com/saicpay.
2. Initiate Checkout
In the bottom right-hand corner, click Make a Payment and enter the amount you wish to pay. Then scroll down and click Continue.
3. Choose the Credit Card payment option
On the Payment Method drop down menu, select Credit Card and click Continue.
4. Enter the credit card information
Enter the cardholder name, credit card number, expiration date, and security code.
5. Click Continue to proceed with checkout
You may choose to save your credit card for future use.
U.S. credit card payments are subject to a 2.75% fee. Foreign credit card fees may vary depending on the country.
Students and families that would like to make international payments towards the student’s tuition and fees student account at SAIC, can do so in Transact by choosing “International Payment” as the payment method upon checkout. There you will have two payment entities to choose from; Convera and Flywire. You may wish to compare exchange rates with both to choose your best option. Students access Transact through Self-Service and others that have been set up by the student as a Payer by the student, can access Transact at commerce.cashnet.com/saicpay.
SAIC's wire payments are processed in Transact. The following steps will guide you through the process:
1. Login to Transact
Students—Log into Self-service and click on the Transact button in the Financial Account section. Your internet browser's pop-up blocker must be turned off so Transact will open in a new tab or window.
Parents/Authorized Payer—Login into Transact directly at commerce.cashnet.com/saicpay.
2. Initiate Checkout
In the bottom right-hand corner, click Make a Payment and enter the amount you wish to pay. Then scroll down and click Continue.
3. Choose the International Payment option
On the Payment Method drop down menu, select International Payment and click Continue.
4. Enter the currency information
Select the country you are paying from and click Get a quote. On the next screen, select your desired currency.
5. Obtain Wire Transfer Instructions
You will receive wire transfer instructions that are valid for 72 hours.
6. Instruct your bank to transfer the funds (Do not go to a Western Union location)
Use the wire instructions provided to complete the payment through your bank. Your SAIC student account will be credited with the payment within 2-5 business days. Please do not reuse old wire payment instructions as this may cause delays with your payment. These steps must be completed each time you wish to make a wire payment.
If your payment does not credit your SAIC student account within 2-5 business days, please contact Western Union directly by phone 1(877)218-8829 or by email studentinquiries@westernunion.com for further assistance.
1. Login to Transact
Students—Log into Self-service and click on the Transact button in the Financial Account section. Your internet browser's pop-up blocker must be turned off so Transact will open in a new tab or window.
Parents/Authorized Payer—Login into Transact directly at commerce.cashnet.com/saicpay.
2. Initiate Checkout
In the bottom right-hand corner, click Make a Payment and enter the amount you wish to pay. Then scroll down and click Continue.
3. Choose the Electronic Check payment option
On the Payment Method drop down menu, select New bank account and click Continue.
4. Enter the bank account information
Enter the bank account holder name, account type, routing number, and bank account number. (Please note: wire routing numbers and debit card numbers are not used with electronic check payments.)
5. Click Continue to proceed with checkout
You may choose to save your account for future use.
Please be sure all information and payments are sent to the Student Financial Service office and NOT to the Bursar's Office to avoid a delay in the processing of these funds.
A 529 Plan is an education savings plan operated by a state or educational institution designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs. Students should list the 529 Plan amount in the asset section of the FAFSA if the 529 Plan is in the name of the student or the dependent student's parent. It may be necessary for SAIC to adjust a student's FAFSA and their award package to meet federal, state, and institutional awarding policies. A 529 Plan payment will be applied as a "payment" on the student's account.
529 Plan Processing and Instructions
Students using a 529, College Savings or Qualified Education Plan to pay for educational expenses must notify Student Financial Services prior to the beginning of the semester. Students should complete a request to receive funds from their state provider four (4) weeks before the payment due date each semester that they are using the 529 Plan as payment towards their tuition charges. If the funding from these resources is intended to be used to pay for the balance due on the semester's payment due date and will be not received in time, we recommend that you enroll for a semester payment plan in order to keep your student account in good standing. Dates to request dates from your provider are as follows:
| Term | Date to Request Funds from State Provider |
Tuition/Fees Payment Due Date |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | April 15 | May 15 |
| Fall | July 15 | August 15 |
| Winter | November 15 | December 15 |
| Spring | December 15 | January 15 |
Students should inform the state provider sending the funds to the Student Financial Services office that their name and student ID number should appear on all correspondence and transactions. If the agency that holds your 529 benefits requires invoices, please contact Student Financial Services immediately with the contact information of the agency, and the name of the student. In some cases, SAIC may be required to complete a form or letter of credit that is provided by the 529 Plan provider.
Payments and correspondence should be sent to:
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Attn: 529 Administrator
Student Financial Services, Sullivan Center
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1200
Chicago IL 60603
For more than 155 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers, and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program ranked number two in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries, and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world, and adults, teens, and kids in our Continuing Studies classes have the opportunity to explore their creative sides, build portfolios, and advance their skills. Notable alumni and faculty include Georgia O’Keeffe, Nick Cave, David Sedaris, LaToya Ruby Frazier, Cynthia Rowley, Michelle Grabner, Richard Hunt, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Jeff Koons.
