Prospective Students

2012-2013 Financial Aid Information for Prospective Students

If you are a prospective student, we urge you to apply for both admission and financial aid simultaneously.  Complete this easy process below to provide us with the information we need to create a financial aid package for you.

Financial aid deadlines are important and can easily be missed if you wait to apply. To be considered for campus-based federal funds, you must have applied and been accepted for admission and file the FAFSA by the March 2, 2012, priority deadline.

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - Priority Deadline: March 2nd

The FAFSA is available online.  Be sure to list California institute of the Arts, Title IV Code #001132

Personal Identification Number (PIN)

You and your parent will need to register for an individual PIN in order to log-in, sign, and submit your FAFSA online. Unsigned FAFSA applications will be considered incomplete and may delay the review process.

IRS Data Retrieval

The FAFSA enables families to retrieve tax data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to make completing the FAFSA easier and more accurate. We encourage families to file their Federal Tax Returns early in order to take advantage of this process.

Tax Returns

Parent and/or student 2011 IRS tax returns are required to confirm data listed on the FAFSA and should be submitted no later than April 19.

Additional Documentation

A financial aid counselor will review your file, and if your information needs clarification, you will receive a Request for Documentation. The requested additional information must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office in order for your file to be considered complete and ready for awarding.

File a Cal Grant GPA Verification Form (California Residents only)

All California residents should apply for a Cal Grant. You must file the FAFSA and submit a GPA Verification Form* to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) by March 2, 2012. Some high schools electronically submit Cal Grant GPA verification forms on behalf of their students. Check with your high school for more information.

Submit all supporting documents to the Financial Aid Office

Please submit the following to the CalArts Financial Aid Office no later than April 19, 2012:

• Copies of your 2011 W-2 and/or 1099 forms.
• Copies of your parent(s) 2011 W-2 and/or 1099 forms
• Signed copy of your 2011 Federal Tax Returns with all supporting schedules.
• Signed copy of your parent(s) 2011 Federal Tax Returns with all supporting schedules.
• Signed copy of Corporate and Partnership 2011 Federal Tax Returns filed for any investments owned by you or your parent(s)
• A Dependent or Independent Verification Worksheet, if selected for verification by the Department of Education after the submission of a FAFSA.
• A Tax Return Transcript may be requested for students who were selected for verification. You may request a Tax Return Transcript from the IRS and have it mailed to CalArts.

IRS Transcript - Form 4506T   - IRS Transcript Request Instructions

Important Notes

Never submit a draft of your or your parent(s) Federal Tax Returns. Only submit copies of Federal Tax Returns that were officially filed with the IRS.

Unsigned tax returns will be considered incomplete and may delay the review process.

Not Filing Tax Returns?

If you do not have W-2 forms, or if you will not be filing a tax return, be sure to indicate this on your FAFSA and submit a Student CNF.  If your parent(s) does not have W-2 forms, or if they will not be filing a tax return, they must submit a Parent CNF.

Filing a Tax Return Extension?

If your parent(s) requests an extension from the IRS, you must provide a copy of the extension request (Form 4868 Application for Automatic Extension) by April 19, 2012 to hold your priority status. We cannot offer you an official award letter until we have a copy of their signed Federal Tax Returns. 

Helpful Hints

• The FAFSA is only available after January 1st of each year.
• File your 2011 Federal Tax Returns early so that your application can be completed with accuracy.
• Keep copies of all documents for your records.
• Immediately open and respond to all e-mail correspondence related to financial aid as e-mail is CalArts's primary form of communication.
• If you have any questions, ask the Financial Aid Office -- we are here to help you!