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California Institute of the Arts

  • The CalArts Way

    Learn about our approach to the full development of the creative abilities of visual and performing artists.

    How We Work

    Programs of Study

    Explore our unique undergraduate and graduate degree programs and specializations from our six world-renowned Schools. 

    Find a Program

    CalArts Schools

    • Art
    • Critical Studies
    • Dance
    • Film/Video
    • Music
    • Theater
    • Extended Studies

    Academic Resources

    • Academic Calendar
    • Library
    • Academic Catalog
    • Registrar
    • Academic Support
    • Provost's Office
    • Performance and Exhibition Spaces

    Beyond Campus

    • REDCAT
    • Community Arts Partnership (CAP)
    • Center for New Performance (CNP)
    • Reef Residency
  • Why CalArts?

    Start your CalArts journey by learning more about our vibrant community.

    What sets us apart

    Admissions

    • Application Process
    • Admission Requirements
    • International Applicants
    • Transfer Applicants
    • Veterans
    • Accepted Students
    • FAQs

    Tuition

    • Tuition and Fees
    • Payment Options
    • Payment and Refund Deadlines

    Financial Aid

    • Financial Aid Basics
    • Aid for Undergraduate Students
    • Aid for Graduate Students
    • Aid for International Students

    Visits and Events

    • Campus Tours and Information Sessions
    • Open Houses
    • Regional Events
    • Meet Our Counselors
  • Career Services

    Explore our holistic approach to creative career development with workshops, advising, and networking opportunities.

    Patty Disney Center for Life and Work

    Campus Life

    • The CalArts Student Experience
    • Housing
    • Dining
    • City of Santa Clarita
    • Connecting to LA
    • Campus Safety
    • Graduation 2025

    Student Services

    • Health and Well-being
    • Sexual Respect
    • Disability Services
    • International Student Support
    • Student Conduct
    • Parents and Families
  • Giving

    Your gift empowers the next generation of transformative artists. 

    Give to CalArts

    Alumni

    Join our worldwide alumni community to grow personally and professionally with resources and support.

    Get involved

    Institute

    • About CalArts
    • Mission and Values
    • Equity and Diversity (IDEA)
    • Leadership
    • History
  • Events
  • News
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Apply

Academics

The CalArts Way

Learn about our approach to the full development of the creative abilities of visual and performing artists.

How We Work

Programs of Study

Explore our unique undergraduate and graduate degree programs and specializations from our six world-renowned Schools. 

Find a Program

CalArts Schools

  • Art
  • Critical Studies
  • Dance
  • Film/Video
  • Music
  • Theater
  • Extended Studies

Academic Resources

  • Academic Calendar
  • Library
  • Academic Catalog
  • Registrar
  • Academic Support
  • Provost's Office
  • Performance and Exhibition Spaces

Beyond Campus

  • REDCAT
  • Community Arts Partnership (CAP)
  • Center for New Performance (CNP)
  • Reef Residency

Admissions & Aid

Why CalArts?

Start your CalArts journey by learning more about our vibrant community.

What sets us apart

Admissions

  • Application Process
  • Admission Requirements
  • International Applicants
  • Transfer Applicants
  • Veterans
  • Accepted Students
  • FAQs

Tuition

  • Tuition and Fees
  • Payment Options
  • Payment and Refund Deadlines

Financial Aid

  • Financial Aid Basics
  • Aid for Undergraduate Students
  • Aid for Graduate Students
  • Aid for International Students

Visits and Events

  • Campus Tours and Information Sessions
  • Open Houses
  • Regional Events
  • Meet Our Counselors

Life at CalArts

Career Services

Explore our holistic approach to creative career development with workshops, advising, and networking opportunities.

Patty Disney Center for Life and Work

Campus Life

  • The CalArts Student Experience
  • Housing
  • Dining
  • City of Santa Clarita
  • Connecting to LA
  • Campus Safety
  • Graduation 2025

Student Services

  • Health and Well-being
  • Sexual Respect
  • Disability Services
  • International Student Support
  • Student Conduct
  • Parents and Families

About

Giving

Your gift empowers the next generation of transformative artists. 

Give to CalArts

Alumni

Join our worldwide alumni community to grow personally and professionally with resources and support.

Get involved

Institute

  • About CalArts
  • Mission and Values
  • Equity and Diversity (IDEA)
  • Leadership
  • History

Financial Aid Menu

  1. Financial Aid Basics
  2. Aid for Undergraduate Students
  3. Aid for Graduate Students
    1. – Scholarships
    2. – Loans
    3. – Exit Counseling
  4. Aid for International Students
  • Events
  • News
  • Visit
  • Give
  • Apply
  1. Home
  2. Financial Aid Basics
  3. Aid for Graduate Students

Aid for Graduate Students

Financial Aid

Financial Aid

  1. Financial Aid Basics
  2. Aid for Undergraduate Students
  3. Aid for Graduate Students
    1. – Scholarships
    2. – Loans
    3. – Exit Counseling
  4. Aid for International Students

At CalArts, we are dedicated to supporting you throughout your graduate studies. The Office of Financial Aid offers guidance, resources, and assistance to both current and prospective students, making the financial aid process more streamlined and accessible.

There are multiple financial aid options for CalArts graduate students, though most options have different eligibility rules specific to graduate students. Please review this section carefully to understand these policies for your full benefit.

  • How to apply

Financial aid awards: How to view, accept, or decline awards

View awards

When financial aid awards are available, students will receive an email notification to go online and view financial aid within Self-Service, a CalArts web application that enables users to interact with their individual information. All students must accept or decline their financial aid awards before financial aid can be processed. 

Students can view their financial aid awards through the following steps:

  • Visit sso.calarts.edu to access the Self-Service web app.
    * Important note for new students: New students get credentials from Admissions and will need to set up their account with sso.calarts.edu, establishing their permanent password and account recovery information. After completing these easy steps, a new student will be able to access their application information and view their financial aid award. Click here for precise and detailed steps on how to do this. For further assistance, please contact the Office of Information Technology at cait@calarts.edu. 
  • Click on “Self Service” within the available web app dashboard
  • Click on “Financial Aid” to go to your Financial Aid Checklist
  • Click on “Review and accept your Financial Aid Award Package”
Accept or decline awards

For instructions on accepting or declining your awards, please see this instructional PDF. 

View next steps

Once you have been notified that your award letter is ready, click here to read more about your next steps in this process.

College costs and budgeting: Estimating your balance and tuition payment plan (graduate students only)

Estimated Payment Worksheet

Our online Estimated Payment Worksheet allows you to enter your estimated costs and financial aid award information to calculate your estimated tuition and fee bill each semester. 

Tuition payment plan

In an effort to help students and families meet their educational expenses, CalArts has partnered with Nelnet Campus Commerce (Nelnet) to administer a monthly payment plan. CalArts payment plan is an interest-free monthly payment plan which allows you to divide tuition and other expenses into four smaller monthly payments spread out over the semester. Please visit our Payment Options page for more details.

Set up Self-Service proxy access

Students can now designate one or more individuals as authorized parties to have access to their FERPA protected information on Self-Service; this includes financial aid, student accounts, and registration information.

To learn more and set up proxy access, click here.

Contact us

Request an appointment

Office hours
Spring and fall semesters: Monday–Friday from 9 am–5 pm
Summer: Monday–Thursday from 9 am–5 pm

Email: finaid@calarts.edu
Phone number: 661-253-7869 or 800-443-0480
Room number: F201 (next to the Cashier’s Window)

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California Institute of the Arts

Mailing address:
24700 McBean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
Phone: 661-255-1050

Campus Safety

661-222-2702

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