Financial Aid & Scholarships
ACAPA is committed to making an exceptional arts education accessible to all qualified students regardless of financial background. More than 74% of enrolled students receive some form of financial assistance, including need-based grants, merit scholarships, work-study, and federal loans. This page explains all aid programs available to degree-seeking students and describes the steps required to apply.
Questions? Contact the Office of Financial Aid directly: finaid@acapa.edu | 802-555-0180 | Whitmore Hall, Room 114.
2025–2026 Cost of Attendance
The following figures represent the estimated annual cost for a full-time undergraduate student living on campus. These figures are reviewed and updated each July for the forthcoming academic year.
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (full-time, 12–18 credits/semester) | $41,800 |
| Room & Board (standard double occupancy + meal plan) | $14,200 |
| Mandatory Fees (student activity, health services, technology) | $1,640 |
| Books, Scores & Art Supplies (estimated) | $1,200 |
| Personal Expenses (estimated) | $1,800 |
| Transportation (estimated) | $600 |
| Total Estimated Cost of Attendance | $61,240 |
Room and board costs vary slightly by residence hall assignment and meal plan tier. The figure above reflects the standard double room with the Silver Meal Plan (14 meals/week). See Housing & Dining for a full breakdown.
Need-Based Financial Aid
ACAPA awards institutional need-based grants to admitted students who demonstrate financial need as determined through the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Need-based aid does not need to be repaid and is applied directly to your student account. Aid is renewable annually provided the student remains enrolled full-time and continues to demonstrate financial need.
ACAPA Institutional Need-Based Grants
Grants range from $3,000 to $28,000 per year depending on demonstrated need, available institutional funds, and enrollment status. The average institutional grant award for the 2024–2025 year was $16,400.
- Must re-file FAFSA and CSS Profile each academic year by March 1
- Requires continued full-time enrollment (minimum 12 credits/semester)
- Requires satisfactory academic progress (cumulative GPA 2.0 or above)
- Students must report any outside scholarships or awards to the Financial Aid Office
Federal Pell Grant
Eligible students may receive a Federal Pell Grant of up to $7,395 for 2025–2026 (subject to federal appropriations). Pell Grant eligibility is determined solely by the FAFSA. Students with a Student Aid Index (SAI) at or near zero typically receive the maximum award. Pell Grants may be used in combination with ACAPA institutional aid.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG)
ACAPA participates in the Federal SEOG program, which provides additional grants of $100–$1,000 to students with exceptional financial need who also receive Pell Grants. Funds are limited; priority is given to students who file by the February 1 priority deadline.
Vermont State Aid Programs
Vermont residents may be eligible for additional state grants including the Vermont Grant (up to $11,200/year for eligible residents) and the Vermont Non-Degree Student Grant Program. Eligibility is determined through the FAFSA. Contact the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation (VSAC) at vsac.org for details.
Merit Scholarships
ACAPA offers a range of merit-based scholarships for students who demonstrate exceptional artistic talent, academic achievement, or a combination of both. Merit awards do not require demonstrated financial need and are evaluated separately from need-based aid. Students may hold a merit scholarship in addition to need-based grants, provided the combined award does not exceed total cost of attendance.
Merit scholarships are automatically considered during the admissions review process. No separate scholarship application is required unless otherwise noted. Decisions are communicated in the admission letter.
| Scholarship Name | Annual Award | Eligibility | Number Awarded/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calloway Scholarship | Full Tuition ($41,800) | Dance concentration; by audition | 2 |
| Dean’s Excellence Award | $20,000 | Any discipline; exceptional audition/portfolio | 6 |
| ACAPA Arts Merit Scholarship | $12,000 | Any discipline; strong audition or portfolio | 15 |
| ACAPA Talent Award | $7,500 | Any discipline; merit-based | 25 |
| Founders’ Scholarship | $5,000 | First-generation college students; all disciplines | 8 |
| Eastbridge Community Scholarship | $4,000 | Vermont residents; any discipline | 10 |
All merit scholarships are renewable for up to four years provided the recipient maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above, remains enrolled full-time in their declared major, and continues to participate in the applicable performance or studio program as required by their scholarship terms.
◆ The Calloway Scholarship in Dance
Established in 1983 in honor of ACAPA alumna and donor Margaret R. Calloway (BFA Dance, 1961), the Calloway Scholarship is ACAPA’s most prestigious award. Two scholarships are awarded each year to incoming undergraduate students admitted to the Dance concentration.
Each Calloway Scholarship covers full tuition ($41,800) for four years, renewable annually subject to continued outstanding artistic development as assessed each spring by the Dance Faculty Committee. Recipients are expected to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 and perform in at least one major production per academic year.
Eligibility:
- Incoming first-year students only (not available to transfer students)
- Must be admitted to the BFA Dance program or BA with Dance concentration
- Selection is based on audition adjudication scores, artistic potential, and faculty recommendation
- No separate application required; nominated by the Dance Department during audition review
- Recipients are notified by April 1 of their admission year
Federal Work-Study Program
ACAPA participates in the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program, which provides part-time employment opportunities for eligible undergraduate students with financial need. Work-study earnings help students cover personal and incidental expenses.
- Typical award: $1,500–$2,800 per academic year
- Students work an average of 8–12 hours per week during the academic year
- Positions are available in campus offices, libraries, studios, technical production, and community arts organizations
- Work-study earnings are paid bi-weekly as wages; they are not applied directly to tuition
- Eligibility determined through FAFSA; students must have remaining financial need after grants
- Work-study positions are listed on the ACAPA Student Employment Portal beginning August 1
Students who are not eligible for federal work-study may apply for non-need-based campus employment through the Office of Student Employment in Whitmore Hall, Room 108.
Federal Student Loans
Loans are a form of self-help aid that must be repaid. ACAPA encourages students to exhaust all grant and scholarship options before borrowing. The following federal loan programs are available to eligible students:
| Loan Type | 2025–26 Annual Limit (Dependent) | Interest Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Subsidized Loan | Up to $3,500 (1st year) | 6.53% | Need-based; government pays interest while enrolled |
| Direct Unsubsidized Loan | Up to $5,500 (1st year) | 6.53% | Not need-based; interest accrues during enrollment |
| Parent PLUS Loan | Up to COA minus other aid | 9.08% | Available to parents of dependent students |
Interest rates above reflect 2025–2026 federal rates and are subject to annual adjustment. All borrowers must complete Entrance Counseling and a Master Promissory Note (MPN) at studentaid.gov before loan funds can be disbursed.
Completing the FAFSA
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is required for all federal aid programs including Pell Grants, federal loans, work-study, and some institutional need-based grants. All students seeking financial aid must file the FAFSA each year.
- File online at studentaid.gov/fafsa
- FAFSA opens October 1 each year for the following academic year
- ACAPA Federal School Code: 005-2274
- Use IRS Data Retrieval Tool to automatically import tax information when possible
- ACAPA priority deadline: February 1 (strongly recommended)
- Final deadline for continuing students: March 1
CSS Profile
In addition to the FAFSA, ACAPA requires the CSS Profile for all students applying for institutional need-based grants. The CSS Profile is administered by the College Board and provides ACAPA with more detailed financial information needed to allocate institutional funds equitably.
The CSS Profile collects information beyond what the FAFSA captures, including home equity, retirement account balances, business ownership details, and non-custodial parent income. This allows ACAPA’s Financial Aid Office to develop a comprehensive picture of each family’s ability to contribute.
- Complete online at cssprofile.collegeboard.org
- ACAPA CSS Profile Code: 7284
- Cost: $25 for the first submission; $16 for each additional college; fee waivers available for eligible families
- Both custodial and non-custodial parent information is required in most cases
- ACAPA priority deadline: February 1
- Divorced/separated families: both parents must submit information; contact finaid@acapa.edu for waiver requests
Key Deadlines
| Deadline | Date | Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Early Decision Financial Aid Deadline | November 15 | Incoming students applying ED; FAFSA + CSS Profile |
| Regular Decision Priority Aid Deadline | February 1 | All incoming students; FAFSA + CSS Profile |
| Regular Decision Final Aid Deadline | March 1 | Incoming students; late applicants (reduced funds available) |
| Continuing Student Renewal Deadline | March 1 | All returning students; FAFSA + CSS Profile renewal |
| Transfer Student Aid Deadline | April 1 | Transfer applicants; FAFSA + CSS Profile |
| Aid Award Notification (incoming, RD) | April 1 | Regular Decision admits who filed by Feb 1 |
| Enrollment Deposit Deadline | May 1 | Incoming students must confirm enrollment |
Financial Aid Statistics (2024–2025)
The following data reflects aid awarded to the 2024–2025 undergraduate student body.
| Aid Type | % of Students | Average Award |
|---|---|---|
| ACAPA Institutional Need-Based Grant | 58% | $16,400 |
| Federal Pell Grant | 29% | $4,980 |
| Vermont State Grant | 18% | $6,200 |
| Merit Scholarship (all types) | 41% | $11,800 |
| Federal Work-Study | 22% | $2,100 |
| Federal Direct Subsidized Loan | 44% | $3,300 |
| Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan | 51% | $4,800 |
| Parent PLUS Loan | 17% | $12,400 |
How to Apply for Financial Aid
- Submit Admissions Application. You must be admitted or have an active application before financial aid can be packaged. Apply at acapa.edu/admissions/apply.
- File the FAFSA. Open October 1 at studentaid.gov. Enter ACAPA School Code 005-2274. File by February 1 for priority consideration.
- Complete the CSS Profile. Open October 1 at cssprofile.collegeboard.org. Use ACAPA CSS Code 7284. Both the FAFSA and CSS Profile are required for institutional grant consideration.
- Submit Supporting Documents. ACAPA may request signed federal tax returns, W-2s, and other documentation via the ACAPA Financial Aid Portal. Check your portal regularly after submitting your CSS Profile.
- Review Your Award Letter. Financial aid award letters are issued with or shortly after your admission decision. Review carefully; contact the Financial Aid Office if you have questions or believe a reconsideration is warranted.
- Accept Your Award. Log in to the Student Aid Portal to accept, decline, or modify individual award components. Enrollment deposit must be paid by May 1.
Special Circumstances & Appeals
We understand that the FAFSA and CSS Profile may not always capture a family’s true financial situation. If your family has experienced a significant change in financial circumstances (job loss, divorce, death of a parent, high medical expenses, or other unusual situations), you may submit a Special Circumstances Appeal to the Financial Aid Office.
Appeals must be submitted in writing with supporting documentation. The Financial Aid Office will review each appeal on an individual basis and respond within 15 business days. See How to Appeal Your Aid Award for instructions and forms.
Outside Scholarships
Students are encouraged to apply for outside scholarships from private organizations, foundations, and community groups. All outside scholarships must be reported to the Financial Aid Office. Depending on your overall aid package, outside scholarship funds may reduce loan or work-study components before any reduction to institutional grants.
ACAPA maintains a list of recommended outside scholarship resources for performing and visual arts students: Outside Scholarship Resources →
Contact the Financial Aid Office
| Office | Office of Financial Aid, Whitmore Hall Room 114 |
| Phone | 802-555-0180 |
| finaid@acapa.edu | |
| Hours | Mon–Fri, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm EST |
| Walk-in Hours | Tue & Thu, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm |
| Fax | 802-555-0181 |
For faster service, please have your ACAPA Student ID or application ID ready when calling. You may also schedule a one-on-one financial aid counseling appointment through the Student Aid Appointment Portal.
Page last updated: March 2026. Aid figures reflect 2024–2025 academic year data. 2025–2026 federal loan interest rates are subject to change; verify current rates at studentaid.gov. ACAPA is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the awarding of financial aid on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation.