Scholarships support high hopes and high financial need
Although Allison is from neighboring Nebraska, she came a long way to attend KCAI. An Omaha native, Allison is the daughter of working class parents who could not financially support her dream of attending the Art Institute. With the help of financial aid, Allison is able to count herself among this year’s foundation or freshman class.
Allison always enjoyed studying art, but until her sophomore year of high school, she did not realize that four-year art schools exist. That year, an admissions director from KCAI came to Allison’s school, and illuminated for her the many opportunities the Art Institute provides. After that experience, Allison visited KCAI, and found that it stood out from other art schools she considered. For example, she fell in love with the small, intimate campus. Also, the prospect of quality interaction with the school’s gifted faculty drew her. Kansas City traits figured further into her decision: more opportunities than Omaha, while maintaining a hometown feel. Alex Hamil, a Regional Coordinator for the Admissions Office, devoted a lot of time to help Allison apply to this unique institution.
Because her parents could not support her financially, Allison worked very hard to find tuition assistance. Allison recently discussed her application process with students from her high school, and she encouraged them by saying, “Apply for everything. It’s hard and it takes a lot of time. And you feel like you’re writing the same thing over and over again. But it’s worth it. There are scholarships out there.” Allison won scholarships to support her education, but the financial aid package that Allison received from the Art Institute ultimately made it possible for her to attend the school.
Allison greatly enjoys the coursework at KCAI, and she plans to pursue a ceramics major in order to eventually become an archeologist. Allison explained that she has always loved art, and she has always loved dinosaurs, and the Art Institute is helping her marry those two interests. Ceramics students learn the scientific process of creating casts and molds, useful information for those who study fossils and bones. Thanks to the relationship KCAI has with other schools, Allison will be able to take classes that KCAI does not offer to accomplish her goal. For example, Allison plans to take biology at UMKC, a course requirement for graduate level archaeology.
Financial support from generous KCAI donors enables bright, hard-working students like Allison to pursue their dreams.
Why donor support is important to KCAI
At private colleges and universities all across the country, there is a gap between what students pay for their education and what it costs the institution to provide that educational experience. Unlike state schools, we cannot depend on state or federal assistance to pay the bills.
At KCAI, tuition generates approximately 60 percent of the income necessary to underwrite our annual operating expenses. The other 40 percent must come from other sources.
In addition, it is important that we have the financial resources to maintain an attractive and comfortable campus living, classroom and studio environment and to build an endowment fund that will assure the future of the school.
One of the most important sources for this additional funding is gifts and grants from individuals, foundations and corporations. These generous donors are investing in the future of art and design in Kansas City and across the world.
More than 90 percent of our students receive financial aid. Without the assistance of these benefactors, many would not have the chance to attend KCAI and receive a top quality arts education.
Community outreach and service
KCAI's contribution to the world of contemporary art
Please click here to view the alumni digital gallery.