Five ways to access financial aid at California College of the Arts (CCA)
At CCA, we're committed to helping students succeed in pursuing a creative education.
2021 Sandra Vivanco Scholars, Sam and Caine, share their experiences, creative practices, and aspirations at CCA.
CCA provides various financial aid opportunities to talented students, no matter their economic circumstances. Nearly 78% of our students receive some form of financial aid and we provide more than $29 million in college-funded scholarships each year. Our financial aid team is here to guide you through the entire process, from applying to receive aid to finding internships and preparing for your professional career.
Wondering what options are the best fit for you? Here are five ways to apply for financial aid at CCA.
“Scholarships have been one of the biggest blessings in my life. Having the opportunity to go to CCA, it feels like all my hard work has paid off in a way where I can finally foster my dreams of being an artist.”
(BFA Painting and Drawing 2023)
Scholarship alum Faye Vavra (BFA Painting and Drawing 2023) talks about why she chose to attend CCA, and the impact these decisions have had on her life as an artist and student.
1. Scholarships
We have robust scholarship offerings that recognize talented students in both our graduate and undergraduate programs. Need-based scholarships are awarded based on financial need, merit scholarships recognize artistic excellence, and our unique Visionary Practice Scholarship celebrates diverse life experiences and bold ideas. With an average financial aid offer of $34,755, part of which is provided by scholarships, full-time undergraduates can meet 59% of their financial needs.
2. Grants
Grants are a powerful form of financial aid because they’re awarded based on need and don’t need to be repaid. During the 2023-2024 academic year, CCA disbursed $28.8 million to undergraduate students in combined scholarship and grant funding. Federal Pell Grants and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) are provided to students with exceptional needs, and state-funded Cal Grants provide qualifying students with up to $9,358, renewable for up to four years.
Work-study positions at CCA allow you to gain professional experience in your areas of interest.
3. Work-Study
Gain invaluable experience while earning money through our work-study programs. These part-time jobs help cover educational costs and build your professional skills at the same time. We have a wide range of positions available so you can find opportunities that align with your career goals. Roles range from a teaching assistant for writing, a furniture studio monitor, an arts reporter, or a film studio technician, among many others.
4. Loans
Loans are a helpful tool to bridge the gap in funding your education. Federal loan programs like Direct Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and Graduate PLUS Loans are provided by the United States Department of Education. To guide you through this process, our financial aid office provides students with loan counseling after attendance to help assist in responsible repayment.
5. Plan ahead
Understanding the cost of attendance helps you plan for the year ahead and the amount of financial aid you may receive.
If you’ve been admitted as a student to CCA, follow these four steps:
- Log into the CCA Applicant page in Workday
- Go to View My Financial Aid packages
- Select your aid offer under Estimated Aid
- Click your financial aid offer letter in the PDF file
Ready to get started? Apply to FAFSA now
Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and include CCA's federal school code: 001127.
We’re here to help.
Questions about scholarships, FAFSA, or understanding your financial aid letter? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions.