<p>We've just gotten a disappointing acceptance & aid letter from the SAIC summer pre-college program. Total aid offered was about 15% of the cost of the program, leave an outstanding amount of about 1/3 my total yearly income -- far more than I can possibly afford. It's frustrating to have schools say, "Don't let money stand in the way of you attending" and make a big deal about having aid, and then offer small amounts. We've found that summer programs often have a maximum amount of aid they'll offer, but they won't tell you up front what that maximum is -- you have to apply to find out that their max award is $500 towards a $3000 program, or something like that. Worse yet, in the case of SAIC, the NPD rep was very strong in pushing pre-college programs in general. "It's vital to have pre-college program experience", but they're not affordable, so it's a mixed message. </p>
<p>I know that our state summer arts program CSSSA has good aid, but daughter didn't apply because their course offerings were not a good match for her interests (fashion and product design). At this point, it would be nearly impossible to pull together an app for that by the deadline on Friday. We'll also be looking again at California College of Arts' program; the main problem with it is the public transit commute is almost two hours each way. They don't provide housing for "local" residents. </p>
<p>Anyone aware of any summer pre-college programs that are up front about financial aid maximums, and would be less than $1500 or so after aid?</p>
<p>OH MY GOD. Your D SHOULD HAVE applied to csssa! Under the VisArts department, you study industrial design typed classes for 3 hours biweekly. It's basically furniture design, but with pizzaz. Also, their figure drawing classes will in the long run help with her fashion design. You get to experiment with all different types of majors within visual arts- it's gorgeous, DO APPLY! PLEASE!</p>
<p>They offer GENEROUS financial aid, I have friends who went for only $250! Also, they are GREAT with if you harm yourself- they payed for $900 worth of hospital stuff when I got my hand burnt (my fault- don't worry).</p>
<p>And the difference between CCA and CSSSA according to my roommate who went to BOTH programs is this. (Her quote) "I went to CCA and learned how to draw, but I went to CSSSA and found myself". </p>
<p>If you have any more questions, please email me at <a href="mailto:valerieyazon@yahoo.com">valerieyazon@yahoo.com</a> ! I am a csssa enthusiast and I have made life long friends there!!</p>
<p>Also, on the issue of it being late- if one part of your application is missing, they give you time to send it all in. They actually send you notification if you're missing your pieces or a rec or something and they say "send it in within a month or so" so it is flexible that way. ALso if she is applying to VisArts, they DO take flash drives which is easier than slides. If any hesitation or anything, call CSSSA and tell them your app will be late and I'm sure they'll allow it. It is a postmarked deadline afterall.</p>
<p>An extra plus! This year they are giving up to 40k (each student) in scholarships to 18 students (I think 4 from each department) based on your character, talent and willingness to succeed (the teachers of csssa get to choose once they know you). So it'd be awesome to try for that as well!</p>
<p>Thanks for your input! We actually printed out the CSSSA app and I'm filling it out while she does her homework. She's very funny she says, "I can do it! I just have to create one brilliant piece of art each day this week!" For the SAIC app, one of her art teachers wrote a nice long letter and sent daughter a copy for her records, so we're going to include that as one recommendation and have her mentor teacher at school do the other one. (The app allows a letter instead of a form.) Otherwise, there's no way we'll get recommendations by Friday, because all the art teachers are so slow to return them!</p>
<p>Oh! I'm sooo glad to hear it! Csssa was such a life changing experience for me as well, and I'm sure she'll love all the people and teachers she meets there! They're great people who run the program (I had to meet with a lot of them because of my injury) and do their best to make the stay very personal for you. Tell your D that she's got the most wonderful mentality and that I'm overjoyed to hear her so enthusiastic about herself and art! She's got so much confidence going for her, it's beautiful to see that! </p>
<p>kali
I asked you in other thread about how students in other majors socialize or only arts kids get together, and how was food at Innerspark.
It is too late for this year but if you can answer it, great.
TrinSF
We are thinking about SAIC but now wonder if we should bother.. good thing is that their responce is quick and no application fee.
Did you do Kcai?
Transportation$$ is another issue. Do you send her to Chicago by herself if she does go?
There is all-free two weeks in Colorado, but it is for Junior-Senior summer only and painting and drawing.</p>
<p>About SAIC...the precollege summer person at our NPD said, "give me a call if there is not enough aid - I don't want her not to attend just because of money". So, I really think giving one of the program directors there a call couldn't hurt, and might possibly result in some more money from them. Good luck on whichever program your daughter decides on.</p>
<p>MattsMomFL: That's what they told us, too, but there's a big gap between the current cost and the amount we could afford. Even after aid, it's more than $5000. (They offered about 1K in aid.) So, yes, I know what you're saying and we will ask, but I'm not holding my breath on this one. It's actually part of why I'm disappointed -- the "just because of the money" speech we got was exactly the same. If I had known they offered so little aid, we wouldn't have applied (and gotten daughter's hopes up).</p>
<p>bears: I don't know "KCAI". With regard to transportation, I could reliably get that down to about $150 from here, which was okay. No, I probably would not have gone with her, but my children are used to traveling alone; they have been been doing so since they were very young.</p>
<p>kaii: I guess my biggest question is "How hard is it to get in?" I worry that it's too competitive to be doing this last minute. ON the other hand, I'm always surprised at the stuff daughter does like this. We discussed it at about 5:30 PM, and by 8:30 PM she had this mixed-media piece about child abuse that was very striking, and was planning her next piece.</p>
<p>bears and dogs-
Oh, you socialize with EVERYONE though there is a bit of problem because people eat lunch at different times but you'll get over that. I was in VisualArts and I hung out with Animation majors. </p>
<p>The food is good for the first and 3rd weeks. The 2nd and 4th week, try to bring some money for eating out (my friends and I pooled for thai food and pizza) because you get tired of eating school food. Though, it is very good food for what it is- and vegan/veggie friendly! </p>
<p>TrinSF-
It is not hard to get in. I turned it in at the last minute as did many. It's state mandated which means that they want EVERYONE to have a try at csssa once. There are people who are at different levels who enter the program, some who draw/perform/act at a higher level and some who have never taken an art class and wanted a shot at something (though everyone has promise who goes there!). I'm sure your D will get in no problem. </p>
<p>Csssa's variance on people who attend is really fun! I got to take a figure drawing class with photographers who NEVER drew in their lives and watched them improve day by day!</p>
<p>California</a> State Summer School for the Arts is the csssa livejournal! It was very helpful for me and pumped up my urge to go! (Many faq's are there too!) It's good for reading about other's experiences and what questions they had.</p>
<p>Said notification date was 15th and received letter on 17th. Very prompt.
He is accepted in painting major with scholarship but balance due would be something we can not afford and have to decide immediately if he would accept the award or not, so the fund can be used for another student.
Now, the financial aid application deadline has passed and award letter should be all out. If he decline, where the fund would go? To the next year?
What I am wondering is, if we ask, could award amount can be raised using this pool from, say, last year? Or should not bother since they said limited number of PARTIAL scholarships only. How big the most partial can be?</p>
<p>Great news. We received a $3k grant from Ringling, which will cover about 2/3 of precollege this summer. It was entirely need-based, and we are enormously grateful...</p>
<p>Mattsmom FL
I don’t call that need base only. Their requirement was more complicated than RISD’s did not bother trying … addition to portfolio and grades, needed community achievement and such, right?
It is just great they gave her so much! Do you think her familiarity with the school helped?
What I fear is this would be the pattern repeated two years from now when he'd apply for college. The aid he would be awarded won’t be near enough. Should just give up on private school? Take long shoot for Cooper Union even though they’d take only 60 something from entire universe?
I cannot help him much anyway. If I could, I won’t be here talking about it.</p>
<p>They asked for 2 community recommendations, an art teacher recommendation, a personal statement, an application that included listing activities, awards and community service, and a copy of the 1040. Under activities, she did include a link to her jpgmag page, although portfolio was not requested. In her personal statement, she spoke of her time at Ringling previously as being instrumental in solidifying her love of photography. I don't believe the activities/awards/community service that she included would have been much different than the usual high schooler with an interest in art. Her major achievement so far has been being displayed at the Drexel Univ photography gallery. So, yeah, she's awesome, but I still think our sad, pathetic :) 1040 went a long way in the decision...</p>
<p>Letter came only 10days after and about one quarter of the entire cost is awarded. Broken down to less than half of it need based, rest merit. It is nice to get any merit from SAIC but the fact: cant afford wont change.
They wont serve meals yet price is hefty. Must be better instruction, could be all faculties? no summer job grad students !? Want to let him try but just cant.
Waiting on MICA, RISD, KCAI</p>
<p>I did not ask-ask for it but both Maine and SAIC say they can add bit more to aid. ' bit ' is not huge but something.
I am rather impressed of their effort to reach us and help us.
I don't know, OK we can't afford anyway but as if we are still considered as valued prospect.
I hope it is part because of his merit, not only my 1040 or just simply trying to fill up enrolment sooner.</p>