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Colleges use the term ”financial aid” to cover many forms of financial assistance. Financial aid applies to merit, need-based, and student loan assistance.

Merit aid is awarded based on a student's performance, not on demonstrated need. In the case of the Corcoran College of Art + Design, merit awarding is based on prior academic achievement (grades and national test scores) and artwork presented in the portfolio. The Corcoran's merit aid is all scholarship: a gift that does not need to be paid back. Some of the Corcoran's merit scholarships are guaranteed for one year while others cover up to four years of study. Merit scholarships for new students are typically awarded beginning in March for the upcoming Fall semester.

Merit awards are just one part of the overall financial aid package, and additional college costs may be covered through need-based federal and institutional funding. Whether students and their families choose to pursue other types of financial aid or not, they may certainly wish to be considered for merit aid. For best consideration for merit scholarships, the Admissions Committee recommends that students:

  • Maintain academic excellence, demonstrated through grades earned on transcripts, courses taken, class rank, and teacher recommendations
  • Take the SAT, ACT, or TOEFL exams at least twice to achieve their best combined test scores (not applicable for college transfer students)
  • Submit a slide or digital portfolio of their strongest technical and most creative artwork
  • Complete the admissions application process by April 1st (March 15th for Faculty Chairs' Grant consideration)

Only students who have been accepted are reviewed for potential merit awards.

Eligibility for Financial Aid
Recipients of federal and/or Corcoran financial aid must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree-seeking program (AFA, BFA, or MA). Institutional grants and scholarships are limited to AFA, BFA, and MA degree students. Graduate students are also eligible for certain Graduate Assistantships. The Corcoran utilizes the Federal Methodology (FM) needs analysis formula developed by the U.S. Department of Education to determine student eligibility based upon the financial information reported on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Student eligibility is evaluated each academic year, or within the academic year; if circumstances warrant. Once enrolled, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) towards degree requirements (see Academic Standing) in order to be eligible to receive or continue to receive federal student financial aid. A minimum of half-time enrollment is required to be eligible to receive Federal and Corcoran student financial aid and maintain financial aid eligibility.

Download the Corcoran Institutional Aid Application >

FAFSA
Applicants interested in federal financial aid must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for consideration. The FAFSA is required for all students seeking need-based aid (Institutional Scholarships/Grants, Graduate Assistantships, and Federal or State Loan and Grant programs). FAFSA data is used to calculate the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) toward a student’s education. Students may complete the FAFSA on-line at the link below or they may complete a paper FAFSA application. Students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA application as soon after January 1 as possible in order to ensure adequate processing time. The FAFSA Priority filing dates are outlined in the Need-Based Aid section below. Please feel free to estimate parent and/or student income on the FAFSA in order to meet the specified priority dates.

Link to the (FAFSA) Appplication >

The hard copy of this form is also available from U.S. high schools and colleges.

The Corcoran College of Art + Design Title IV School Code is 011950.


Applicants for financial aid must submit the Corcoran Application for Institutional Aid (need-based aid). This form is required for all AFA and BFA students interested in need based aid. Priority Corcoran and FAFSA filing dates for receipt by the Office of Financial Aid are March 1 for new students entering in the Fall semester, March 15 for continuing students returning for the Fall semester, and November 15 for new and transfer students entering for the Spring semester.


Since 2001, the Corcoran has been pleased to award this highly selective scholarship. Awarding amounts for each eligible recipient could range up to a possibility of full-tuition for four years. These awards are divided over four years of enrollment.

In order to renew the award annually, recipients must maintain a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average and continuous full-time enrollment at the Corcoran.

The Admissions Committee pre-selects finalists, giving highest consideration to accepted applicants with a minimum secondary school cumulative grade point average of 3.50 and who have submitted a portfolio of artwork in slide or digital format. Recipients of this prestigious award are chosen in early spring through a rigorous review process in which degree department Chairs meet to review students' academic and artistic qualifications. Recipients are notified before May 1.

Finalists not selected to receive one of the limited number of Faculty Chairs' Grants will be considered for either the President's Award or the Academic Achievement Award, both four year awards. Recipients of the Faculty Chairs' Grants are not eligible to receive any other merit awards.




The Corcoran participates in all of the major federal financial aid programs offered by the U.S. Department of Education. Every eligible recipient must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Specific eligibility requirements are outlined for each federal program. Recipients must not be in default on a Federal Perkins, Stafford, or PLUS Loan, or owe a federal refund on a Pell, SEOG or SSIG Grant. Recipients also must certify compliance with Selective Service System requirements.

The Corcoran College of Art + Design Office of Financial Aid certifies federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans through the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP). The Corcoran does not participate in and is not authorized to certify loans through the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program (Direct Loans).

The Corcoran College of Art + Design has a Preferred Lender List (PLL). The lenders on the list are as follows: AMS Education Loan Trust (www.tuitionpay.com), EdAmerica (www.edamerica.com), Wachovia Bank (www.wachovia.com),and SunTrust Education loans (www.suntrusteducation.com).

The Corcoran College of Art + Design is unaffiliated with any of the lenders on the Preferred Lender List and receives no benefits or compensation whatsoever by placing any particular lender on the list.

Corcoran College of Art + Design student borrowers are not required to use the lenders on the Preferred Lender List and are free to use any FFELP lender of their own choosing.

Federal Pell Grant: Pell Grants are awarded by the U.S. Department of Education. A FAFSA application must be completed to be eligible for consideration. Eligible students may receive grants up to $4,731 for the 2008–2009 academic year. This grant is not available to students who have already received a Bachelor’s Degree.

Federal SEOG (Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant): The Corcoran awards this federal grant to Pell-eligible students. Eligible students may receive grants up $1,500 for the 2008–2009 academic year. This grant is not available to students who have already received a Bachelor's Degree.

Federal Perkins Loan: The Corcoran awards this low five percent (5%) fixed-interest rate loan to a select number of financially needy students. Repayment begins nine (9) months after the recipient graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half time or completes an approved period of deferment.

Federal Work-Study (FWS): This program provides needy students with part-time employment (5–20 hours per week) at the Corcoran, or another non-profit organization.

Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFELP): The federal subsidized loan allows eligible dependent undergraduate and independent undergraduate and graduate students to borrow federal student loans. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more detailed information.

Dependent undergraduate students may borrow up to $3,500 as a first-year student, $4,500 as a second-year student, and $5,500 as a third- or fourth-year student. Dependent undergraduate students may borrow up to a maximum loan limit of $23,000. Repayment begins six months after the recipient graduates or ceases to be enrolled at least half time. Deferment and cancellation provisions are specified on the Master Promissory Note (MPN). In some cases, an origination fee and/or insurance premium may be deducted from the loan proceeds.

The federal unsubsidized loan allows eligible undergraduate independent students and graduate students to borrow loan amounts in addition to the subsidized loan program. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more detailed information.

Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS): PLUS loans are credit-based loans available to parents of Dependent Undergraduate students regardless of financial need. Parents may borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid the student has received.

Federal Graduate (PLUS) Loan: Graduate PLUS loans are credit-based loans available to graduate students regardless of financial need. Students may borrow up to the cost of attendance, minus any other financial aid that has been received.

Private (Non-Federal) Loans: Private non-federal loans are credit-based loans available to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at least half-time in a qualifying degree program. A student’s eligibility and loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance. These loans generally have a higher interest rate than federal loans.

DC Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program (DC LEAP): DC LEAP is a need-based grant available to residents of the District of Columbia who are enrolled at least half-time in an undergraduate degree program. DC LEAP is funded through matching funds by the District of Columbia and the Federal government. Students must complete the FAFSA and a DC LEAP application form to be considered. This grant is not available to students who have already received a Bachelor’s degree. Additional information is available by calling the program office at (202) 727-2824

DC Tuition Assistant Grant (DC TAG): DC TAG is a grant available to residents of the District of Columbia who are enrolled at least half-time in an Undergraduate Degree program. This grant is not available to students who have already received a Bachelor’s Degree. Additional information is available by calling the program office at (202) 727-2824.

Other State Grants: Because grant operations vary in each state, students should contact the grant agency in their state of residence for eligibility information and application materials. Some states allow grants to be used for attendance at colleges outside of the state; while others do not.

Corcoran Graduate Assistanships: Graduate Assistanships are offered during the Fall and Spring semesters. Recipients are selected based upon their portfolio review and financial need. Students must be enrolled in at least nine (9) credits per semester. MA Interior Design assistants work 10 hours per week during each 15-week semester in an office in the College or Gallery and receive a tuition waiver for one course per semester.

Corcoran MA-History of Decorative Arts Fellowships: MA-History of Decorative Arts fellows work seven (7) hours per week during each 15-week semester at the Smithsonian Institution and are paid a fellowship stipend of $1,600 per semester.


Additional grants and scholarships are often available through private organizations (clubs, churches, employers, etc.). Students are encouraged to investigate sources from all family affiliations. Veterans and members of the armed forces are encouraged to explore the educational resources available to them.


The Corcoran is committed to supporting students with scholarship funds beyond their first year of studies. This multi-year, merit-based award was established in 2000. Selection for the President's Award is based on artistic talent and ability demonstrated in the portfolio presented at the time of admissions, as well as all academic records and test scores on file. Letters of recommendation and personal essays also are reviewed.

Selected recipients must maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average and continuous full-time enrollment at the Corcoran to be eligible to continue to receive the award.


These awards are given to outstanding applicants who demonstrate strong artistic accomplishment and future promise in the visual arts. The Admissions Committee considers the student’s academic record as well as their portfolio when selecting candidates.


Scholastic Art Awards Scholarships are awarded to students who have been named by the National Scholastic Jury and enroll at the Corcoran. Information about National Scholastics should be obtained from high school art teachers in the Fall of each academic year.


No additional forms are required to be eligible for the Dean’s Merit Scholarship, President’s Awards, or Faculty Chairs' Grants. Students must complete all admission requirements and be notified of acceptance to the Corcoran College of Art + Design. Admission requirements include:

> Application for admission form and fee
> Receipt of all official transcripts
> Portfolio of artwork
> Official test scores
> Optional letters of recommendation
> Optional essay/ personal statement
> Interview (if applicable)