Financial Aid Resources
Financial aid is an important resource for educational funding. Financial assistance in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, and/or work-study awards helps to bridge the gap between a student’s own resources and the cost of attendance.
Every student interested in receiving some form of federal, state, or institutional financial assistance should apply for financial aid. Domestic students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form to be considered for federal and state aid. New domestic students are required to complete the FAFSA\or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Students selected for verification must provide additional documentation if requested by Financial Aid.
Students interested in receiving federal and state aid must complete the FAFSA annually to establish their eligibility for financial aid. Students with a completed FAFSA are considered for all types of assistance (grants, loans and work-study). Information regarding the financial aid application process and cost of attendance can be found online at www.otis.edu/finaid.
Scholarships are awarded based on merit and financial need. Otis institutional scholarships offered at the time of admission are tuition specific, non-refundable and renewable for up to 8 semesters for undergraduate and up to 4 semesters for graduate students. The number of semesters depends on the student's academic level/number of transferred units determined during the admission process. To maintain eligibility for these awards the student must be enrolled full-time (undergraduate - a minimum of 12 units, graduate - a minimum of 9 units), maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, accept award(s) and complete required paperwork prior to the beginning of the semester. If all or any of the above conditions are not met, the student loses eligibility for the offered scholarship award. Students may also lose eligibility if they drop below full time prior to completing 4 weeks. Students receiving financial aid are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (sap)
Students are required to maintain SAP in their educational program as described in the school catalog “The Hoot”. SAP is evaluated based on qualitative and quantitative measurements (GPA and completed courses) at the end of the academic year. To remain eligible for federal, state and most institutional aid, a student must meet the SAP criteria as specified below:
Qualitative Measurement: GPA Requirement
- Undergraduate students are required to maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative Otis College GPA on a 4.0 scale at the end of each academic year. Repeated courses are included in the calculation of GPA. Grade of incomplete is not included in the calculation of GPA. The Incomplete grade reverts to an F if not completed by the due date and it will impact GPA. (Exception: See the Foundation grade replacement policy.)
- Graduate students are required to maintain a Pass or Low Pass on all their classes
Quantitative Measurement: Maximum Time Frame and Pace Requirement
- Maximum Time Frame (credit completion): Undergraduate students must complete their degree within 180 credits (120 credits x 150%). Students can receive federal aid for 150% of the length of their degree program. State grants have a maximum time frame of four years. Otis renewable scholarships are available for eight semesters.
- Pace: Undergraduate students must complete at least 67% (120/180) of the units they attempt at the end of each academic year. Transfer credits are included in the calculation as attempted and completed hours.
- Students with failing grades can receive federal aid for repeated coursework. Students can use federal financial aid once to repeat a course with a passing grade. Repeated courses are included in the calculation as attempted hours.
- Grades of incomplete are counted as attempted but not completed. If a grade of incomplete is not changed to a passing grade within the timeframe outlined in the catalog, it may impact the student’s ability to meet the pace requirements and disqualify this student from receiving federal aid.
- Students with SAP impacted by changes in major are expected to complete all degree requirements before reaching 180 attempted credit hours. Financial Aid staff reviews SAP impacted by changes in major on a case‐by‐case basis.
Additional Institutional Requirements (Otis Scholarships): Unit Requirement
Students are required to be enrolled full-time to maintain eligibility for institutional awards.
- Undergraduate students are required to complete at least 12 credits per semester
- Graduate students are required to complete at least 9 credits per semester
- Students who drop below full-time enrollment prior to completing four weeks in a semester will lose eligibility to keep their institutional award(s) for the semester.
SAP Evaluation Process
Satisfactory Academic Progress is evaluated at the end of each academic year. A student who does not meet one or more SAP requirements will be placed on Unsatisfactory SAP status and will lose eligibility for financial aid. A student who has lost eligibility for financial aid due to the Unsatisfactory SAP status can request reinstatement of financial aid by submitting a written appeal to the Financial Aid Office.. An academically dismissed student regains eligibility for financial aid, for a probationary period of time, if they are readmitted by the Academic Standing Committee and have an approved SAP Appeal.
Appeal Process/ Regaining Eligibility
Students who fail to meet the SAP standard(s) can submit a written appeal to the Financial Aid office. The appeal must explain the reason(s) that led to the SAP failure and the changes that will allow the student to meet the SAP standards in the future. Students are notified of the SAP Appeal decision via Otis College student email. Students with approved SAP appeals are placed on Probation Status and are eligible to receive financial aid for one academic year. Students on Probation Status must meet SAP requirements at the end of their probationary period to keep their eligibility for financial aid.
Students have the responsibility to respond to Financial Aid communication regarding suspended financial aid eligibility. Appeal requests must be sent to the Financial Aid Office prior to the appeal deadline stated in the Otis SAP status notification. Students may also regain eligibility by meeting the SAP standards while taking the coursework at their own expense.
Extended Degree Completion for Students with a Documented Disability
Any student, with a documented disability*, who need to take more time beyond the standard time (4 years for BFA, 2-year MFA, and four consecutive semesters MFA Graphic Design) to complete a degree will continue to be awarded their Otis College scholarship (including renewable appeal). If a student is enrolled part-time, the Otis College scholarship will be prorated per-unit. Students interested in additional Otis College scholarships can appeal. Students receiving external financial assistance need to work with their aid providers.
*Students with a documented disability need to be registered with the Disability Services office.