Cost and Refund Policies

Tuition for 3 MCAD College Credits

The Pre-College Summer Session replicates the type of coursework a first-year student would experience in an art and design college. The first week of the program the students learn skills, programs, and techniques. The second week is focused on final projects, critiques, and the mounting of a final exhibition.

Students receive a letter grade (A–F) reported on an MCAD transcript as “Pre-College Summer Session.” An unofficial grade report is mailed to students after the program ends. Official transcripts can be requested from MCAD Records.

For students who enroll in an MCAD undergraduate program, these credits function as elective credits. For students enrolling at another institution, it is recommended that students keep course syllabi and documentation of all work. Credit transfer is a highly individualized process, and it is the student’s responsibility to apply these credits, if applicable, to a non-MCAD program. Credits are not guaranteed to transfer and are at the sole discretion of the home institution. Speak with a high school or college advisor for more information.

Full Room and Board

Living on campus alongside fellow students and staff is an exciting, and crucial, aspect of personal and academic success during the program.

Students are provided fully-furnished, single-gender student apartments located across the lawn from their studios and classrooms. Apartments are shared between three or four students. Trained, upper-level student resident advisors reside in the buildings and serve as supportive resources, day and night.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided through MCAD’s cafeteria. Special consideration can be provided to students with specific dietary needs.

Required Supplies

MCAD will provide necessary supplies and materials specific to each major. Students will be required to bring a basic set of supplies (scissors, tape, pencils, etc.) A complete list will be shared with students in advance of the program. Students should anticipate the cost of shipping their work home, if applicable. Additional supplies may be purchased at the Art Cellar, MCAD's on-campus art and book store.

Note: Please note: Students in the painting and printmaking majors pay an additional $150 materials fee.

Waived Undergraduate Application Fee

Participants in the program who apply to an undergraduate program at MCAD will have the $50 application fee waived.

A limited number of scholarships are awarded based on financial need and artistic merit for those who submit complete applications by the priority deadline.

PCSS Scholarships

MCAD offers a range of scholarships for this program, from merit scholarships in the amount of either $250 or $500 to need-based scholarships that cover up to 90% of the program tuition for students with significant demonstrated financial need.

Demonstrated financial need is given the most weight in the decision. A typical student who receives a need based scholarship comes from a family of 4 with annual income of approximately $60,000 or less. Strong corresponding application pieces will give you the best opportunity of receiving a need-based scholarship.

There are a limited number of financial-need based scholarships available. Families are asked to contribute as much as they can to program tuition in order to make scholarships available to as many students as possible.

All students who apply and submit a portfolio are automatically considered for a merit scholarship.

To be considered for the financial-need based scholarship, you must submit the following in addition to your application and apply by the scholarship deadline of March 1:

• Portfolio
• 2024 or 2025 income tax return

Mailing Address

MCAD Continuing Education: PCSS
2501 Stevens Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

$1,000 MCAD Undergraduate Scholarships

Based on adherence to high academic standards and student conduct, five of the most exemplary Pre-College Summer Session students in overall performance, participation, and artistic merit will each be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to attend MCAD as an undergraduate. All students are eligible.

Generous current and past scholarship support has been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, along with the Best Buy Corporation, Boss Foundation, David Winton Bell Foundation, and the Minnesota Office of Higher Education.

Refund Policies

Program Deposit

The $500 program deposit is non-refundable.

Program Tuition, Less Deposit

Program tuition refunds, less $500 deposits, will be issued according to the following schedule. Withdrawals may be communicated via phone message or email during non-business hours and weekends.

If a student withdraws more than 7 days prior to the program start date, 75% of the tuition, less the $500 deposit, will be refunded.

If a student withdraws 7 or fewer days prior to the program start date, 50% of the tuition, less the $500 deposit, will be refunded.

If a student withdraws the same day of the program start date or thereafter, none of the tuition will be refunded.

Medical Emergencies and Program Withdrawals

Tuition refunds due to unforeseen medical emergencies that impact a student’s ability to participate in the program will be issued according to the following schedule. Withdrawals may be communicated via phone message or email during non-business hours and weekends.

If the student withdraws prior to the first day of the program start date and provides MCAD a letter from their doctor stating that the cancellation is due to a relevant medical condition that would prevent the student’s participation, full tuition, less the $500 deposit, will be refunded upon receipt of the letter.

If the student withdraws the same day of the program start date or during the first week of the program and provides MCAD a letter from their doctor stating that the cancellation is due to a relevant medical condition that would prevent the student’s participation, 75% of the tuition, less the $500 deposit, will be refunded upon receipt of letter.

If the student withdraws during the second week of the program, none of the tuition will be refunded.

Questions? Contact the Pre-College Summer Session staff at precollege@mcad.edu or 612.874.3765.