The School of Visual Arts is pleased to provide a Net Price Calculator as a guide to assist in early financial planning for college. This calculator will provide a preliminary estimate of federal and institutional aid eligibility for full-time undergraduate students. The estimates are based on the award policies of the 2020–2021 academic year and are subject to change. Please click on the link to get started.

You can file the 2020–21 FAFSA form online at studentaid.gov using your FSA ID login credentials to sign electronically.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Financial Aid at 212.592.2030 or email us at fa@sva.edu.

ENTRANCE COUNSELING

The federally mandated financial aid loan entrance counseling is required for all students receiving a Federal Direct Stafford Loan or a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan for the first time at SVA. If a student has received a Stafford Loan at a previous institution, they do not need to complete the entrance counseling here at SVA.

Students must complete the entrance counseling before any loan proceeds may be received. The entrance counseling is an information session explaining the student’s rights and responsibilities regarding these loan programs.

Please refer to your SVA email account for correspondences from our office regarding your applicable entrance requirements.

EXIT COUNSELING

The federally mandated Exit Counseling session(s) are required for all students that received a Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Direct Stafford Loan, and/or a Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan at SVA.

The Exit Counseling sessions provide important information that you need as you prepare to repay your federal student loan(s).

For the graduating class of 2020, the Federal Direct Loan and/or Federal Perkins Loan exit counseling session(s) must be completed online. Please refer to your SVA email announcement to determine your applicable exit requirements.

It is imperative you complete all required exit counseling sessions in order to be cleared for commencement.

Should you have any questions please contact us by email at fa@sva.edu.

The Office of Financial Aid is a member of NASFAA, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators. We abide by NASFAA's Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals which states that an institutional financial aid professional is expected to always maintain exemplary standards of professional conduct in all aspects of carrying out his or her responsibilities, specifically including all dealings with any entities involved in any manner in student financial aid, regardless of whether such entities are involved in a government-sponsored, subsidized, or regulated activity.

In doing so, the Office of Financial Aid at the School of Visual Arts is bound by the following:

• Refrain from taking any action for his or her personal benefit.
• Refrain from taking any action he or she believes is contrary to law, regulation, or the best interests of the students and parents we serve.
• Ensure that the information he or she provides is accurate, unbiased, and does not reflect any preference arising from actual or potential gain.
• Remain objective in making decisions and advising the administration at the School of Visual Arts regarding relationships with any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.
• Refrain from soliciting or accepting anything other than of nominal value from any entity involved in the making, holding, consolidating or processing of any student loans, including anything of value (including reimbursement of expenses) for serving on an advisory board or as part of a training activity or sponsored by any entity.
• Disclose to the administration at the School of Visual Arts any involvement with or interest in any entity involved in any aspect of student financial aid.

The School of Visual Arts' Office of Financial Aid adheres to the professional standards of conduct set forth by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) adopted by the NASFAA Board of Directors, May 2007. This is particularly crucial in our commitment to ensure transparency in our administration of student financial aid programs and to avoid any conflict of interest.

In compliance with the requirements of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (H.R. 4137) was signed into law on August 14, 2008, the above is the Code of Conduct regarding student loans and all other financial aid for the Office of Financial Aid at the School of Visual Arts.

Please view NASFAA's Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct for Institutional Financial Aid Professionals.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic national emergency, Secretary DeVos announced that all borrowers with federal student loans (excluding Perkins) would automatically have their interest rates set to 0% for at least 60 days as of March 13, 2020. Also, borrowers have the option to suspend payments for at least 60 days without additional interest accruing. Please note that the suspension of payment is not automatic. Contact your loan servicer and request an Administrative Forbearance to suspend payment. If you do not know who your servicer is or how to contact them, visit StudentAid.gov/login or call 1-800-433-3243 for assistance.

Silas H. Rhodes Merit Scholarship

Award Description: Named for SVA's founder, this competition awards scholarships to applicants from the United States and abroad. The scholarships are awarded strictly on merit and recognize the creative and academic achievements of applicants. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required for scholarship eligibility. In order to be considered for the Silas H. Rhodes Scholarship, first-time freshmen applicants must submit all admissions materials postmarked by February 1, 2020, and transfer applicants must submit all admissions materials postmarked by March 1, 2020. Admissions materials include a digital portfolio on CD-R or uploaded to sva.slideroom.com. SVA does not require a separate application for the Silas H. Rhodes Scholarship. If applicants submit all materials by the specified deadline and have a minimum 3.0 GPA, their application will be automatically reviewed for scholarship. Only scholarship winners will be notified of an award.

National Scholastic Art Award Scholarships

Award Description: Merit-based award available to full-time undergraduate students who are eligible for the Silas H. Rhodes Merit Scholarship. Two scholarships are awarded to SVA applicants each year.

SVA Grant

Award Description: SVA need-based award available to full-time students. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility and grant amounts based on individual financial need.

SVA Assistance Grant

Award Description: SVA need and merit- based award available to full-time undergraduate students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant and have maintained a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5.

SVA Matching Outside Scholarships

Award Description: SVA matching scholarship available to full- and part-time undergraduate students. Based on the student's financial need, as determined by the completion and submission of the FAFSA. SVA will match 25% of an eligible outside scholarship that a student obtains from a qualified charitable organization and payable to SVA after completion of the FAFSA. The total combined match amount cannot exceed $2,500 for each award year. The match excludes scholarships offered by the SVA Visual Arts Foundation and your department major. SVA Financial Aid determines the eligibility and grant amounts based on the student's financial need as determined by the FAFSA in addition to institutional funding levels.

Federal Pell Grant

Award Description: Federal need-based grant available to full- and part-time students (at least 6 credits per semester).

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Award Description: Federal need-based grant available to full- and part-time students who are eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)

Award Description: New York State need-based grant available to full-time matriculated students who are legal residents of New York State.

New York State Aid for Part-Time Study (APTS)

Award Description: New York State need-based grant available to part-time (3-11 credits per semester) matriculated undergraduate students who are legal residents of New York State.

Dream Act

Award Description: New York State (NYS) award which undocumented and certain other students can apply under the NYS Dream Act.

We also recommend these award-winning sites which provide extensive financial aid information and additional sources of information:

• fastweb.com
• scholarshiphunter.com
• bigfuture.collegeboard.org
• studentaid.gov
• finaid.org
• hsf.net
• salliemae.com/college-planning
• edvisors.com
• gmsp.org

Federal Stafford Loans

Award Description: Federal need-based loan available to full- and part-time students. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility and loan amounts based on the student's financial need. Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized: The Stafford Loan has two variations, Subsidized and Unsubsidized. If the student demonstrates financial need, the federal government pays the interest (subsidizes) on the loan during the student's period of enrollment. Students with no financial need are eligible for the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and the student is responsible for the interest accrued during their period of enrollment.

Federal Work-Study

Program Description: Federal need-based employment award providing on- and off-campus employment opportunities. Most positions are with professionals in the field of the student's choice and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Federal Parent Loans to Undergraduate Students (FPLUS)

Loan Description: Loan opportunity available to parents of dependent students who do not have an adverse credit history. Parents may borrow up to the entire cost of a student's education (including living expenses) less other financial aid from participating lenders.

Private Education Loans

Private Education Loans are available to students and parents through various lenders. SVA recommends that you review borrowing options through the federal loan programs first and then evaluate the private loan options. Please contact our office for additional information.

SVA Graduate Department Scholarships

Award Description: Merit-based award available from Graduate department chairpersons.

SVA Matching Outside Scholarships

Award Description: SVA matching scholarship available to full- and part-time graduate students. Based on the student's financial need, as determined by the completion and submission of the FAFSA. SVA will match 25% of an eligible outside scholarship that a student obtains from a qualified charitable organization and payable to SVA after completion of the FAFSA. The total combined match amount cannot exceed $2,500 for each award year. The match excludes scholarships offered by the SVA Visual Arts Foundation and your department major. SVA Financial Aid determines the eligibility and grant amounts based on the student's financial need as determined by the FAFSA in addition to institutional funding levels.

Dream Act

Award Description: New York State (NYS) award which undocumented and certain other students can apply under the NYS Dream Act.

We also recommend these award-winning sites which provide extensive financial aid information and additional sources of information:

• fastweb.com
• scholarshiphunter.com
• bigfuture.collegeboard.org
• studentaid.gov
• finaid.org
• hsf.net
• salliemae.com/college-planning
• edvisors.com
• gmsp.org

Federal Stafford Loans

Award Description: Federal need-based loan available to full- and part-time students. The Office of Financial Aid determines eligibility and loan amounts based on the student's financial need. Graduate students are eligible for the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan, and the student is responsible for the interest accrued during their period of enrollment.

Federal Graduate PLUS Loans (GradPLUS) 

Loan Description: Loan opportunity available to graduate students who do not have an adverse credit history. Graduate students may borrow up to the entire cost of attendance minus other estimated financial assistance.

Federal Work-Study

Program Description: Federal need-based employment award providing on- and off-campus employment opportunities. Most positions are with professionals in the field of the student's choice and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Private Loans

Private loans are available to students through various lenders. SVA recommends that you evaluate all private loan options. Please contact our office for information on programs specifically designed for continuing education students.

How do I apply for financial aid?

All students must submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as the first step in the application process. The fastest way to apply is online at FAFSA on the web at studentaid.gov. Don't forget to appropriately sign the certification page when you have finished the online application.

Do I need to be admitted before I apply for financial aid?

You should apply for aid as soon as possible after October 1. Only students accepted for admission will be considered for financial aid eligibility.

Do I have to apply for financial aid every year?

Yes, a new application is required every year. You will receive a FAFSA renewal application, either in the mail or if you filed online by way of an e-mail from the Department of Education. You may also complete a new FAFSA online at studentaid.gov or by picking one up in our office.

How is the FAFSA filed?

You can file your FAFSA online at studentaid.gov.

When should I file the 2020-21 FAFSA?

You can now submit your 2020-21 FAFSA form as early as October 1, 2019 using your 2018 tax information. You can file the 2020-21 FAFSA form online at studentaid.gov using your FSA ID login credentials to electronically sign.

What are SVA’s codes for federal and state aid programs?

The federal school code for SVA is 007468 and should be listed when filing your FAFSA. 

Our school code for New York State's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is 7858. This code should be listed when you file the NYS Express TAP Application.

Can I apply for financial aid for the summer?

Generally, any matriculating student attempting six or more credits during the summer semester may be eligible for aid. We encourage all students interested in summer assistance to contact a financial aid advisor.

I am an international student, am I eligible for financial aid?

Students who are attending college on a student visa do not qualify for federal and state Financial Aid. There are some alternative loans that you can apply for with a co-signer who is a U.S. Citizen. We also recommend applying for scholarships. You may research scholarship opportunities at iefa.org, a scholarship search engine that focuses on international students.

Where can I get more information about outside scholarships?

There are many useful scholarship search engines on the web. Here are just a few we recommend:

• fastweb.com
• scholarshiphunter.com
• bigfuture.collegeboard.org
• studentaid.gov
• finaid.org
• hsf.net
• salliemae.com/college-planning
• edvisors.com
• gmsp.org

When can I expect to receive an award offer?

Beginning March 1, our office will make every effort to send you an award letter within two weeks (depending on the time of year) of receiving your FAFSA results.

Where can I find my financial aid application processing/status?

• FAFSA on the Web
• FSA ID Site
• New York State Higher Education Services Corporation
• NSLDS
• IRS
• Social Security Administration
• Selective Service
• Federal Student Aid

What is the maximum annual borrowing limit for my Direct Stafford Loans?

The maximum annual borrowing limits for direct student loans are located at the Federal Student Aid website.

What is the difference in interest rates between the Federal Loan programs?

Interest rate comparisons for student loans can be found at studentaid.gov website.

If I decide to withdraw or take a leave of absence from SVA, is there anything I need to complete with the financial aid office?

You will need to complete loan exit counseling if you have received a Perkins Loan or a Direct Loan.