You are here

Welcome to the Otis College Office of Financial Aid

You Belong at Otis. We Can Help You Get Here.

Through scholarships, grants, and advising support, Otis College Student Financial Services helps make a nationally recognized art and design education accessible for eligible students. Based on recent data, 91% of Otis College students receive institutional financial aid so the chances are good that you’re eligible too. That’s why it’s important to apply for aid using the​ Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFS​A) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).​
 

Our Mission

The Student Financial Services team is dedicated to assisting current and prospective students make their Otis education possible by helping them explore scholarships, federal and state grants, and other aid sources to assist with their educational costs.

Contact Us

We're here to help! Contact our student financial services team to get your questions answered about funding your education.

Phone: 310-665–6999
Fax: 310-665–6884

Send Email

You Belong at Otis. We Can Help You Get Here.

91%

First-year students receive financial aid

$28K

Average tuition after scholarships/grants

$18K

Average gift aid package from Otis

It All Starts with the FAFSA

The streamlined 2024-2025 FAFSA Form is now available. Submit your FAFSA by April 2, 2024 to be considered for priority funding. 

To begin, log in to studentaid.gov to complete your application. All new and returning students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA by May 1 each year to ensure consideration for all types of aid, including grants and scholarships. 

Get Started:

Step 1: All students (and one parent for Dependent students) must obtain an FSA ID to sign their FAFSA electronically.
Step 2: Complete the new FAFSA form by the April 2, 2024 priority funding deadline. Be sure to add Otis’s school code: 001251.
Step 3: The Financial Aid Office will receive your FAFSA information electronically. Continue to monitor your email for your award notification, updates, and requests for additional information.

Learn More About FAFSA

Two students looking at aid sources

Financial Aid Resources

Student Financial Services online tools and other resources to help you prepare and pay for an Otis education.

Learn More

Students talking outside on stairs

Education You Can Afford

We want to make sure you understand exactly what you will be paying for as you work toward your degree at Otis College. So we've broken down those costs simply and transparently to help you budget your expenses. 

Net Price Calculator

Explore Types of Aid

Loans

Loan money is given to you now, but must be repaid later.

Scholarships

These are awarded based on academic achievement.

Work Study

Work study programs allow you to work on-campus to help pay for ​​school.​

Grants

A grant is provided by the federal government or state as a monetary gift.

Students outside at an aid info session

Financial Aid Information Sessions

We know how important understanding financial aid is to your overall Otis experience. Join us for an information session where we'll explain important concepts, talk about next steps, and answer any questions you have about how financial aid works.

Register Now

Student having her portfolio reviewed by professor

Important Dates

  • January 2024: FAFSA Opens
  • April 2, 2024: Priority Aid Application Deadline
  • June 30, 2024: Last Day to Be Eligible for Aid

Apply for Financial Aid

This section will help clarify and explain the financial aid application process for new students and their parents applying for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

  • When to Apply

    New students: We recommend you apply for financial aid as early as possible even though financial aid packages will not be offered until you are officially admitted to Otis College of Art and Design.

    Please note: Students may apply for financial aid for the 2023-2024 award year any time up to June 30, 2024 (if attending Summer 2024). The Financial Aid Office may process aid for a given semester no later than two weeks prior to the end of the semester. Keep in mind that the financial aid application process may take a few weeks. 

    Continuing students: The Financial Aid Application priority deadline for Fall 2023 is May 1, 2023.

    Renewal Process: Financial aid is not automatically renewed. New federal application and required documents must be submitted each year.

  • How to Apply

    A Financial Aid Application includes the following:

    The submitted Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for domestic students. Students need to enter the Otis College code: 001251 in order to receive financial aid from the college. The following online resources are availble to assist students with completing their FAFSA:  

    Once all required documentation is received, the Student Financial Services (SFS) Office will offer you financial aid based on your eligibility. An award letter providing guidance for accepting, reducing, or declining offered awards will be emailed to your Otis email address.  If you are a first-time Otis College  loan borrower, you will be required to complete a Master Promissory Note and an Entrance Counseling  at www.studentaid.gov prior to receiving your first federal loan disbursement.

    When completing your FAFSA online, you are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.

    After the FAFSA is submitted, Otis College will electronically receive your FAFSA record. Students and applicants will be notified regarding any additional paperwork if required.  All missing documents will be listed on the student’s Dashboard under “Financial Aid Requirements” at my.otis.edu. 

    If your file is selected for verification, you may be required to submit:

    IRS Tax Return Transcript (and your spouse's, if married). To request an IRS Transcript, visit the IRS website, call 1-800-829-1040, or visit a local IRS office in person. 

  • Eligibility

    There are eligibility requirements that apply to federal and state financial aid programs offered at Otis College . 

    Citizenship: Students must be one of the following:

    1. U.S. citizen or national
    2. U.S. permanent resident
    3. Citizen of certain Pacific Islands (the Freely Associated States)
    4. Other eligible non-citizen

    Enrollment: Students must be enrolled full time (BFA ≥ 12 units, MFA ≥ 9 units) for maximum awards: Students must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible for federal student loans ((BFA ≥ 6 units, MFA ≥ 4 units). Otis scholarships require full time enrollment (12 units).

    Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): Students are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined in the Otis College Catalog - The Hoot. The SAP is evaluated at the end of each academic year. If one or all SAP standards are not met, the student is disqualified from receiving federal financial aid. To regain eligibility to receive financial aid, the student has to appeal in writing by submitting the Appeal Form listed on the Dashboard. The Otis College  SAP standards, measurements, warning, suspension and appeal information are available for review here.

  • Federal Student Aid ID (FSA ID)

    Your FSA ID is your username and password that is used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites including the FAFSA. Your FSA ID is used to sign legally binding documents electronically. Go to https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm to register for your FSA ID. Watch the How to Create an FSA ID video tutorial created by the Department of Education to assist you with the FSA ID process. 

    To follow up on the status of your submitted FAFSA, access http://www.fafsa.ed.gov and click on "check my submitted FAFSA." You can view your processed data, make corrections, and request a duplicate Student Aid Report. Contact the Otis College Student Financial Services Office prior to making any corrections.

Financial Aid FAQ

Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about financial aid at Otis College. 

Read the FAQs

Meet with Us

Our full-time staff of trained professionals is available to assist you with your financial aid questions.

Schedule an Appointment