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California Institute of the Arts

Aid for Undergraduate Students

Financial Aid

At CalArts, we’re committed to helping you succeed throughout your college experience. The Office of Financial Aid is here to provide support, guidance, and resources to make the financial aid process smoother and more accessible for both current and future students.

Our goal is to help you achieve your educational dreams by focusing on financial solutions that make college more affordable and accessible. Financial aid at CalArts comes from multiple sources, including private, institutional, state, and federal funds, all designed to help you manage the costs of your education.

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 (BFA 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)