Consider the value that a graduate education will bring to your future career goals, and how investing in your education will help you achieve them. Did you know that 80% of AFI Conservatory alumni are currently working in the film community?

The cost of attendance for AFI can be found here. The Cost of Attendance is an estimate of your total costs per academic year including tuition, fees, and an estimated budget for living expenses. An individual’s costs may vary depending upon individual choices, circumstances and living arrangements. It is very important for prospective candidates to create a sound financial aid plan when they apply to AFI and to prepare for their educational expenses for the duration of their program.

FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

To qualify for federal financial aid (student loans) domestic Fellows must:

• Be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens (permanent residents)
• Possess a valid social security number
• Be registered with the Selective Service, if applicable
• Not be in default on a federal loan or owe an overpayment on a Federal Pell Grant

Domestic Fellows at the AFI Conservatory may be able to meet their full cost of attendance with federal financial aid. The AFI Conservatory participates in the Federal Direct Loan program. Federal loans are not need-based and are available to domestic Fellows regardless of income. The two types of loans available are as follows:

1. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan
2. Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan (credit approval required)

More information about these loans, amounts, loan fees, interest rates, and repayment options can be found here.

If you wish to apply for federal financial aid, please follow the steps outlined below:

STEP ONE:

If you have never borrowed federal student loans, you must first obtain your FSA ID at fafsa.gov. Your FSA ID will never change and you will need it to apply for federal aid each year and track your federal student loans in the future.

STEP TWO:

Complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. Make sure you include the AFI Conservatory as one of the schools designated to receive your application. The FAFSA application will be available starting in December of the year prior to enrollment and we recommend that you apply by March 1 before the upcoming fall term.

STEP THREE

Read your email! The Financial Aid Office will send you email notifications regarding your financial aid application. Beginning in March each year, the Financial Aid Office will email your financial aid award notification for the upcoming academic year.

STEP FOUR

First-time federal student loan borrowers at the AFI Conservatory must also complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN) and Loan Entrance Counseling before the Financial Aid Office can process your federal loans.  The MPN and Loan Counseling can be completed at www.studentaid.gov. This step only needs to be completed once before the start of your first term at the Conservatory.

AFI SCHOLARSHIPS

Domestic and international applicants may apply for AFI scholarships. If you wish to apply for AFI Scholarship funds, you must submit the AFI Conservatory scholarship application by the February 1 deadline.

Scholarships are awarded to first year Fellows and are renewable in the second year provided you maintain satisfactory academic progress. Only applications submitted through the online admission application will be considered.

For additional information, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 323.856.7699 or FinancialAid@AFI.edu.

Studying in the United States can be challenging and it’s important to understand the cost of attendance and the time commitment associated with pursuing a graduate degree in the United States. The AFI Conservatory enrolls international Fellows in all six disciplines from more than 29 countries and they comprise more than 40% of the Conservatory’s student body.

International Fellows may be eligible for the following types of financial aid:

• AFI Scholarships – Applicants must submit an AFI Scholarship application by February 1 to be considered for AFI merit and need-based scholarships. Scholarships are awarded to first year Fellows and are renewable in the second year provided you maintain satisfactory academic progress.
• Private Educational Loans – There are several U.S. based educational loans available to international students with a U.S. co-signer. These loans generally require that you have the support of a cosigner who is a legal resident of the United States with good credit. AFI does not partner with or endorse any of these lenders.
  • International Student Loan
  • Discover Loan for International Students
  • OAS Rowe Fund (for students from Latin America and the Caribbean)
  • Sallie Mae Student Loans
• Outside Scholarships– Private scholarship funding opportunities may be available in your home country or from private organizations. For a list of some scholarship resources for international Fellows, visit our scholarship page here.

For additional information, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 323.856.7699 or FinancialAid@AFI.edu.