Applying for Financial Aid?
Find out more about Financial Aid at CCS including how to apply, the types of aid available and eligibility.
Make sure to use the CCS Title IV Code "006771" when filling out your forms.
Download Financial Aid Workbook now (2 MB, PDF).
Financial Aid
Your college years will be some of the most memorable of your life and CCS doesn’t want worrying about paying for college to be one of those memories. CCS financial aid personnel will work with you early and often to resolve your financial concerns so you can take full advantage of everything CCS has to offer.
We are dedicated to making an effort to remove cost as a barrier to attending the College and to assist you in planning your finances from the day you begin your studies until you graduate. The first step students take to get financial assistance is to simply apply to the College.
CCS Scholarships are determined at the time you are admitted to the College. Currently ninety-eight percent of CCS students receive some combination of scholarship, grant, loan and employment assistance, totaling approximately $25 million.
After applying, students are encouraged to apply for Federal and State grants and loans; simply complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by going to www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Once you receive your complete financial aid award, calculate your out-of-pocket expenses (tuition and fees minus your total financial aid award) to determine your actual cost of attending CCS. In most cases, you’ll be pleasantly surprised. Don’t forget to include housing and a meal plan, if you plan to live on campus.
Once students are notified of their complete financial package, the College will continue to work with students during their four years at CCS to ensure that students meet their financial eligibility requirements.
For additional information about financial assistance available at CCS, open the links below as well as the document in the box on the right hand side of this screen.
We understand that financial aid can be confusing and overwhelming and we are always available to help you through the process. We encourage you to contact the Financial Aid office at 313.664.7495 for assistance.
Federal Pell Grant
A federally-funded grant awarding $400 to $4,310 per academic year for undergraduate students demonstrating high financial need.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) Program
A federally-funded grant for undergraduate students demonstrating high financial need. Awards will be made to eligible students with the lowest expected family contributions who receive Pell Grants in that year.
Michigan Tuition Grant and Michigan Competitive Scholarships
The Michigan Department of Education awards tuition grants and scholarships annually to Michigan residents demonstrating financial need.
CCS Tuition Grant
Institutionally-funded need-based grant program. Amounts vary based on need.
Academic Competitiveness Grant
A federally funded grant available to Pell recipients who have successfully completed a rigorous high school program recognized by the Department of Education. Student's final high school transcript must be received by the Registration office to determine eligibility.
Applicants to CCS are automatically considered for CCS Scholarships once they complete their admissions requirements. Awards are based on the portfolio review and academic achievement of the applicant and range between $5,000 – 10,000 per year. Recipients must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to continue receiving these scholarships.
A competition held in late March 2010 will determine the winners of the CCS competitive scholarships, the highest scholarships CCS offers for the incoming fall semester. Applicants to the college, who have achieved academic and artistic excellence, may be nominated by their high school or college art instructor, or by a CCS Admissions Counselor. Instructors may nominate as many students as they would like, who meet the qualifications below. CCS Admissions Counselors may continue to nominate applicants. In order to be considered for the competition, fill out the free application online now!
Qualifications require a CD portfolio of the highest caliber with images in JPEG format at 300 DPI. Students in high school are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.2 and an ACT score of 18 or higher or an SAT score of 950 or higher. Students coming from a community college must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
This competition will determine the winners of Walter B. Ford II Award of Excellence Full Tuition Scholarships. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 to continue receiving these scholarships. CCS awards scholarships based strictly on academic excellence and artistic ability. Scholarships are awarded for the purpose of assisting students with tuition costs. Students receiving tuition assistance from their employers will have their actual tuition scholarship reduced accordingly.
The teacher nomination deadline for the 2010 Award of Excellence Scholarship Competition is January 15, 2010. Nominees must be admitted and have submitted their AOE competitive CD by March 8, 2010. Applicants who do not meet the deadline or the qualifications may still be eligible for a CCS Scholarship any time throughout the year. Applicants to CCS are automatically considered for CCS Scholarships once they complete their admissions requirements. Awards are based on the portfolio review and academic achievement of the applicant and range between $5,000 – 10,000 per year.
The following scholarships are offered by the College for Studies to eligible current students of sophomore, junior or senior status. Students who are awarded these scholarships or are eligible to apply will be notified by their Admissions counselor or by the Office of Financial Aid.
- Alumni Scholarships
- Booth Family Scholarship
- Bordinat Memorial Scholarship
- Maxine Brewer Memorial Scholarship/Smallenberg Scholarship
- (application necessary)
- John Broutin Scholarship Fund
- Campbell-Ewald Endowed Scholarship in Memory of Don Gould (application necessary)
- G.D. Crain Award
- Chrysler Corporation Scholarships
- Albert & Peggy deSalle Scholarship Fund
- Paul & Helen Farago Endowed Scholarship
- Benson & Edith Ford Scholarships
- Ford Motor Company Scholarships
- Ford Motor Company/J. Walter Thompson Award
- General Motors Corporation Scholarships
- James S. Goldwasser Award for Excellence in Writing award
Federal Subsidized Stafford Student Loan Program
A federally-subsidized, need-based loan program. Repayment begins six months after graduation, upon enrollment of less than half-time, or upon withdrawal from the College.
Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Student Loan Program
A federal, non-need-based loan program available to independent students or dependent students whose parents have been denied a PLUS loan. Repayment begins six months after graduation, upon enrollment of less than half-time, or upon withdrawal from the College.
Federal PLUS Program (Parent Loans)
Supplemental loans to parents of dependent students based on credit application. Repayment begins within 60 days after the loan is fully disbursed.
Alternative Loans
Private supplemental student loans offered by various banks based on a credit application. Most student applicants will require a co-signer. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Federal Work-Study Program
The federally-funded program provides on-campus jobs for students demonstrating financial need. Awards will be made to eligible students with remaining need to the extent of available funds on a first-come, first-served basis.
Michigan Work-Study Program
The state-funded work program provides on-campus jobs for Michigan residents demonstrating financial need.
Student Employment Program
The College-funded work program meets campus needs and employs students ineligible under federal or Michigan work-study programs.

