If you show academic achievement and artistic talent you may qualify for scholarships. If you demonstrate financial need you may qualify for grants, which do not need to be repaid, or loans, which must be repaid after graduation. Additional scholarships, work study, and payment plans are also available. Scholarships MCAD Admissions Merit Scholarships This competitive scholarship, which recognizes achievement and talent, is open to all entering undergraduate students. If you submit all application materials by the deadlines, you may be eligible. Awards are granted every year for a total of eight semesters of full-time attendance, provided you maintain the scholarship requirements. MCAD Annual Merit Scholarships This competitive scholarship competition is for students who are currently enrolled at MCAD full time in a degree-seeking program. Competition requirements and deadlines are posted each spring. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required to enter. Competitions are judged by MCAD faculty. Special Competition Scholarships Matched by MCAD, the ARTS and the Scholastic Art Awards are national competitions for which you can earn scholarships. To receive a matching scholarship, you are expected to place as a gold key winner at the national competition and to be admitted to MCAD. These scholarships are need-based funds and are awarded on a funds-available basis. Please consult your high-school art teacher for more information. Alumni MCAD Legacy Scholarships This is a total scholarship of $8,000 over four years ($2,000 per year). Children and grandchildren of those who have completed a degree program at MCAD are eligible for this scholarship. MCAD Laptop Scholarship The MCAD Laptop Scholarship provides admitted students with a free MacBook computer. Students who have submitted their undergraduate application and all supporting materials by the Early Action Deadline are eligible for this scholarship. Micro-Scholarships Through a free micro-scholarship platform called RaiseMe, students can earn awards by adding academic and extracurricular achievements to their RaiseMe portfolio. Your final RaiseMe total represents a minimum amount of scholarship or grant aid you will receive in your MCAD financial aid package. If you receive a larger scholarship based upon other factors (i.e. your artistic or academic achievements or financial information supplied on the FAFSA), then the package will include the amount that you have earned on RaiseMe. The RaiseMe micro-scholarships earned are always part of your MCAD award, not in addition to it. External Scholarships Outside scholarships, many of which are based on merit or special criteria, are great options for funding your education. MCAD students are often awarded money by businesses, community groups, and religious organizations. Grants Federal Pell Grants Awarded based on financial need. Grants range from $650–$6,495. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants Awarded based on financial need. Priority is given to Federal Pell Grant recipients. Grants range from $100 to $2,000. Minnesota State Grants Awarded if you meet criteria set forth by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education Grant. Grant amounts are dependent upon annual appropriation levels established by the State of Minnesota, but typically range from $200–$10,000. MCAD Opportunity and Renewable Opportunity Grants Awarded by MCAD based on financial need. You must complete the FAFSA by March 15 to be considered. MCAD Distance Grants Awarded if you are an out-of-state student with an expected family contribution below $10,000. You must complete the FAFSA by March 15 to be considered. Tuition Exchange Awards Participating colleges and universities make funding available to dependents of faculty and staff. Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Grants Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Grants are a provision of the Post-9/11 Veteran’s Educational Assistance Act of 2008, also known as Post-9/11 GI Bill®. Benefits for Veterans and Dependents Veterans and their dependents may be eligible to receive help paying for tuition, fees, supplies, housing, and more. Work-Study Many different part-time jobs are available on campus to help you offset educational expenses and gain work experience. Work-study positions are posted approximately one week before classes begin and as available throughout the semester. Work-study students typically work five to ten hours per week.