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Student Loans in the News

Recent reports in the media have caused a significant amount of concern about the availability of student loans.

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Welcome to the College for Creative Studies Financial Aid Site

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. The CCS financial aid staff is here to work with you early and often to resolve your financial concerns so you can take full advantage of everything CCS has to offer.

Did you know?
A majority of students and their parents ruled out specific colleges based solely on published sticker prices without considering how much scholarship and financial aid they might receive?

CCS is 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. Currently ninety-eight percent of CCS students receive some combination of scholarship, grant, loan, and employment assistance, totaling approximately $25 million.

You may qualify for a CCS scholarship!
Simply complete the application process and once we’re able to admit you, we will determine if you qualify for one of our merit based CCS Scholarship or CCS Award. Many of our applicants are pleasantly surprised to learn that they can afford an outstanding education at CCS!

72% of students and their parents...
Survey results suggest that 72% of students and their parents have not calculated net tuition prices.

If you qualify for a CCS Scholarship or CCS Award, we will include this information with your acceptance letter. All applicants are considered for these awards during the admissions process. Awards are based on artistic and academic achievement and range between $5,000 – 10,000 per year. These awards will continue for four years as long as you maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.

We understand that selecting a college is a difficult decision and we would like the opportunity to provide you with additional financial information to assist you in making this decision. We also understand that financial aid can be confusing and overwhelming and we are always available to help you through the process. We encourage you to explore this website for information. If you are unable to locate the information you seek please do not hesitate to contact the Financial Aid office at 313.664.7495 for assistance, we’re here to help!

Need-Based Grants and Scholarships

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.

CCS Scholarships

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.

CCS Undergraduate Competitive 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.

Additional CCS Scholarship Programs

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

Loan Programs

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.

Employment Programs

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.

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