Welcome to Otis College Financial Aid
You Belong at Otis. We Can Help You Get Here.
Through scholarships, grants, and advising support, Otis College Office of Financial
Aid helps make a nationally recognized art and design education accessible for eligible
students. Based on recent data, 98% of all undergraduate Otis College students are
receiving scholarships and financial aid, so the chances are good that you’re eligible
too. That’s why it’s important to apply for aid using the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application (CADAA).
In addition to exploring financial aid opportunities, prospective students should
also visit our One Stop and Student Accounts sections. These resources provide essential information on managing tuition payments,
understanding billing processes, and accessing various student services. The One Stop
page offers comprehensive support for academic records, registration, and financial
services, ensuring a seamless and supportive experience throughout your educational
journey at Otis College. By utilizing these tools, you can navigate your academic
and financial responsibilities with confidence and ease.).
Our Mission
The Office of Financial Aid team is dedicated to assisting current and prospective
students make their Otis education possible by helping them explore scholarships,
federal and state grants, and other aid sources to assist with their educational costs.
We Invest in Your Future
It All Starts with the FAFSA
The streamlined 2025-2026 FAFSA Form will be available on December 1, 2024. To begin, log in to studentaid.gov to complete your application. All new and returning students are encouraged to complete the FAFSA as early as possible each year to ensure consideration for all types of aid, including grants and scholarships.
Get Started:
- Step 1: All students (and one parent for Dependent students) must obtain an FSA ID to sign their FAFSA electronically.
- Step 2: Complete the new FAFSA form by the priority funding deadline. Be sure to add Otis’s school code: 001251.
- Step 3: The Financial Aid Office will receive your FAFSA information electronically. Continue
to monitor your email for your award notification, updates, and requests for additional
information.
Financial Aid Resources
Explore Office of Financial Aid' online tools and other resources developed to help you prepare and pay for an Otis education.
Education You Can Afford
We want to make sure you understand exactly what you will be paying for as you work toward your degree at Otis College. So we've broken down those costs simply and transparently to help you budget your expenses.
Meet the Financial Aid Team
Have questions or need assistance? Our Financial Aid and One Stop team is here to help! Contact us by phone at 310-665-6999 or email onestop@otis.edu for support.
Michaela Matsumoto (she/her)
Executive Director, Financial and One Stop
Ardie Elgersma (she/her)
Director, Financial Aid Compliance
Justin Thai (He/Him)
Assistant Director, One Stop
Evelyn Garcia (she/her)
Senior Financial Aid Counselor
Chelsea Castañeda Ea (she/they)
Financial Aid Operations Specialist
Mai Bui (he/him)
Financial Aid Counselor
Financial Aid Info Sessions
We know how important understanding financial aid is to your overall Otis experience. Join us for an information session where we'll explain important concepts, talk about next steps, and answer any questions you have about how financial aid works.
Important Dates
- April 2, 2025: Cal Grant Extended Deadline
- May 1, 2025: Deposit Deadline for Fall 2025 and Accepting Merit Scholarships
Explore Types of Aid
Loan money is given to you now, but must be repaid later.
Work study programs allow you to work on-campus to help pay for school.
These are awarded based on academic achievement.
A grant is provided by the federal government or state as a monetary gift.
Apply for Financial Aid
This section will help clarify and explain the financial aid application process for new students and their parents applying for the 2024-2025 academic year.
New students: We recommend you apply for financial aid as early as possible even though financial aid packages will not be offered until you are officially admitted to Otis College of Art and Design.
Please note: Students may apply for financial aid for the 2023-2024 award year any time up to June 30, 2024 (if attending Summer 2024). The Financial Aid Office may process aid for a given semester no later than two weeks prior to the end of the semester. Keep in mind that the financial aid application process may take a few weeks.
Continuing students: The Financial Aid Application priority deadline for Fall 2023 is May 1, 2023.
Renewal Process: Financial aid is not automatically renewed. New federal application and required documents must be submitted each year.
A Financial Aid Application includes the following:
The submitted Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for domestic students and the CSS Profile for new international students. Students need to enter the Otis College code: 001251 in order to receive financial aid from the college. The following online resources are availble to assist students with completing their FAFSA:
- 7 Things You Need Before You Fill Out the 2023–24 FAFSA® Form
- Filling Out the FAFSA Form (by Student Aid)
- How to Fill Out the FAFSA Form video (by the Department of Education)
- Video Tutorial for Completing the FAFSA (by AIE)
Once all required documentation is received, the Office of Financial Aid (SFS) Office will offer you financial aid based on your eligibility. An award letter providing guidance for accepting, reducing, or declining offered awards will be emailed to your Otis email address. If you are a first-time Otis College loan borrower, you will be required to complete a Master Promissory Note and an Entrance Counseling at www.studentaid.gov prior to receiving your first federal loan disbursement.
When completing your FAFSA online, you are encouraged to use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool.
After the FAFSA is submitted, Otis College will electronically receive your FAFSA record. Students and applicants will be notified regarding any additional paperwork if required. All missing documents will be listed on the student’s Dashboard under “Financial Aid Requirements” at portal.otis.edu.
If your file is selected for verification, you may be required to submit:
IRS Tax Return Transcript (and your spouse's, if married). To request an IRS Transcript, visit the IRS website, call 1-800-829-1040, or visit a local IRS office in person.
There are eligibility requirements that apply to federal and state financial aid programs offered at Otis College .
Citizenship: Students must be one of the following:
- U.S. citizen or national
- U.S. permanent resident
- Citizen of certain Pacific Islands (the Freely Associated States)
- Other eligible non-citizen
Enrollment: Students must be enrolled full time (BFA ≥ 12 units, MFA ≥ 9 units) for maximum awards: Students must be enrolled at least half time to be eligible for federal student loans ((BFA ≥ 6 units, MFA ≥ 4 units). Otis scholarships require full time enrollment (12 units).
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): Students are required to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined in the Otis College Catalog - The Hoot. The SAP is evaluated at the end of each academic year. If one or all SAP standards are not met, the student is disqualified from receiving federal financial aid. To regain eligibility to receive financial aid, the student has to appeal in writing by submitting the Appeal Form listed on the Dashboard. The Otis College SAP standards, measurements, warning, suspension and appeal information are available for review here.
Your FSA ID is your username and password that is used to log in to certain U.S. Department of Education (ED) websites including the FAFSA. Your FSA ID is used to sign legally binding documents electronically. Go to https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm to register for your FSA ID. Watch the How to Create an FSA ID video tutorial created by the Department of Education to assist you with the FSA ID process.
To follow up on the status of your submitted FAFSA, access http://www.fafsa.ed.gov and click on "check my submitted FAFSA." You can view your processed data, make corrections, and request a duplicate Student Aid Report. Contact the Otis College Office of Financial Aid Office prior to making any corrections.
Financial Aid FAQ
Find answers to the most commonly asked questions about financial aid at Otis College.
Meet with Us
Our full-time staff of trained professionals is available to assist you with your financial aid questions.
At Otis, the school and staff are amazing! I like how everyone has treated my daughter, myself and grandparents, who have flown to visit Otis twice. We loved the campus! Money well spent. Thank you for everything you do to help my daughter and students."