The Chicago Academy for the Arts is one of the most diverse—socio-economically, racially, geographically, artistically, and culturally—independent schools in the Midwest. We value every member of the community and believe all members enrich our school. We are committed to being affordable and accessible to all families and encourage those who may need assistance to apply for tuition assistance.
Tuition Assistance applications are open for the 2024-2025 school year. Please begin the process to apply in FACTS for financial aid if you will be seeking tuition assistance. Your FACTS application should be completed by January 6, 2024 for priority consideration.
Tuition and Fees 2024 — 2025
Base tuition is $36,000, plus various fees. Read more about Tuition and Fees here.
The Academy awards just over $1 million in tuition assistance each year. Approximately 49% of the student body receives assistance.
Tuition Assistance
Priority Consideration Tuition Assistance applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now open and will be accepted from October 1, 2023 through January 6, 2024.
Need-based assistance is based on the demonstrated financial need of a family and helps defray the cost of attendance for those students who could not otherwise afford to attend. Demonstrated need is assessed directly through FACTS Grants and Aids Assessment. Eligibility is determined by comparing what a family can be expected to pay with the cost of tuition.
The Academy’s need-based program has a limited budget. While we strive to provide assistance to all families who qualify, we can never guarantee assistance to any family. Tuition Assistance is not automatically renewed; families are required to reapply for aid every year. The Academy believes that parents have an obligation to contribute to the educational expenses of their children and therefore expects every family to have exhausted all financing avenues.
In determining tuition assistance, the committee considers a number of factors including whether a family owns real estate or other significant investments, lifestyle choices (including, but not limited to, stay-at-home parents and discretionary spending such as vacations), other possible sources of tuition funding including grandparents, tuitions paid by families in similar financial situations, and additional factors provided by families.
Families must apply online through FACTS, an independent, third-party company that conducts financial analysis to determine your family’s financial need. FACTS application cycles are open from November 1 through June 30. The Academy receives a confidential report outlining your financial situation based on the information obtained in your application and supporting tax documents.
Both parents must submit all required forms in cases of divorce or separation. If, pursuant to and receipt of a documented court order, one parent is responsible for all educational expenses, then the other parent is not required to submit documents to FACTS.
Submit all required financial paperwork to FACTS, including but not limited 2022 or 2023 federal and state tax returns and/or 2022 W2s. For assistance with your FACTS application, please call 1.866.441.4637. Do not disclose tax or financial information to The Academy.
If you are applying for tuition assistance, we strongly encourage you to apply through Empower IL. Learn more here.
All families should complete the tuition assistance process by January 6, 2024 for priority consideration. If you missed the deadline, late applications cannot be guaranteed tuition assistance even in cases of demonstrated need. An applicant who completes the process on time and is admitted to The Academy will receive a tuition assistance decision along with the acceptance letter.
At this time, Tuition Assistance is not available to mid-year transfer or international students.
Please read about the Academy Young Men's Dance Initiative scholarships here.
More Admissions Information
