ASFA Financial Assistance Procedure The Alabama School of Fine Arts is a public school operated in compliance with Alabama State Code. ASFA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or age in its programs and activities, including the determination of financial assistance awards. All families of current ASFA students are eligible to apply for financial assistance.

1. A family’s financial assistance is kept confidential and shared only on a need to know basis.
2. Awards are made in the form of direct grants that are applied toward applicable fees, and do not require repayment.
3. Applications for admission are completely separate from applications for financial assistance. No student will be denied admission because of financial need.
4. All financial assistance applicants must complete an ASFA Financial Assistance Application and provide tax records to verify eligibility. Both parents are required to submit application information and supporting documents. Non-custodial parent participation may be waived in some situations, by formal request to the committee. Financial assistance to students living with other relatives or a guardian will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
5. Dormitory Financial Assistance is awarded on the basis of financial need as demonstrated through the application process. Assistance is funded exclusively through donations and endowment income. Therefore, limited financial assistance funds are available each year. The completion of the financial assistance application is not a binding agreement that assistance is available or will be granted.
6. All financial assistance awards are made by the Financial Assistance Committee, which consists of the Executive Director, the Chief Financial Officer, the Director of Institutional Advancement, the Director of Student Support Services, and the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. Department chairs may be called upon by the committee to provide counsel. The Committee will convene as needed until the funds for the upcoming year are allocated.
7. Families in need of financial assistance are strongly encouraged to apply for the Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund, a state tax credit scholarship program. The AOSF requires a separate application process. Details are available at www.alabamascholarshipfund.org
8. The awarding of financial assistance is dependent upon complete cooperation from applicant families. All families are expected to make some contribution towards their child’s education at ASFA, and to honor all agreements and payment plans established with the school. Students’ continued enrollment is contingent of parents meeting agreed upon obligations in a timely manner.
9. The Financial Assistance Committee considers awards to students only after: a. Financial assistance application is complete, including all required supporting documents; b. Returning students’ accounts are current and student is in good standing; c. New students have been accepted by the school and have completed the enrollment process.
10. Financial assistance decisions will be sent to the address provided at the time of application. An award is not final until the award letter is signed and returned to the school by the deadline stated in the letter. The Committee is responsible for ensuring that financial assistance awards are made in a timely manner so that families can make fully-informed enrollment decisions. No award should be assumed by families without notification from the Financial Assistance Committee.
11. Awards will not be automatically renewed for subsequent years. Families must complete the application and submit documentation each year in order to be considered for financial aid.
12. If a family experiences an extenuating circumstance resulting in an unexpected need for financial assistance during the school year, the Financial Assistance Committee will convene to review applications received after the application deadline.