Deadlines & Policies

Maintaining eligibility for Financial Aid

To remain eligible for federal financial aid, the student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and make satisfactory progress toward obtaining the B.F.A. degree.

Eight semesters, or four academic years, is the normal period to obtain the B.F.A. If you are going to take longer, the student should discuss this with the Financial Aid Director.

Full-time students are eligible to apply for financial aid for a maximum of five academic years, or 10 semesters of enrollment to complete the B.F.A. if extenuating circumstances apply.

A student is not making satisfactory progress if he/she has 15 hours or more of failure, 15 hours or more of withdrawals ("W") resulting in less than full-time status, or falls below the appropriate studio level, which is determined by the number of major studio credits the student has completed (see chart below). Financial aid will be denied until the student resumes a satisfactory progress status.

A student whose aid is terminated due to lack of satisfactory progress must successfully complete 15 hours to retain eligibility. The student must also appeal in writing to the Director of Financial Aid for reinstatement.

Payment deadlines

Tuition and fees, plus Living Center charges, if applicable, are due in full two weeks prior to registration. A statement of tuition and fees will be mailed to independent students and parents of dependent students about six weeks before the start of the fall and spring semesters. Any prepayment or financial aid is deducted from the bill. The KCAI business office disburses all financial aid money reported to that office by the financial aid office. Students must complete final registration procedures with the registrar's office and the business office to be considered to have completed their registration. Students who do not complete registration prior to two weeks before the first day of class will be charged a late fee of $200. Students who find it necessary to withdraw from the college before completion of the semester should follow the KCAI withdrawal/refund policy (tba).

Scholarship / Loans deadlines and policies.

For specific information on deadlines and policies view the Loans or Scholarships pages.

Refund PoliciesWithdrawal and Refund policy

According to federal regulations, KCAI must use the withdrawal date for refund calculations as "either the date the student officially notifies the school that he or she is withdrawing or the last date of class attendance that the school can document." The Kansas City Art Institute has adopted the following withdrawal policy to establish charges based on the amount of time completed in the enrollment period. All students who withdraw from KCAI will be charged a $100 administrative fee.

Tuition refund policy

• On or before the first day of class (Jan. 25 and before): 100% refund
• Second day up to 1.5 weeks:(Jan. 26-Feb. 4): 90% refund
• 1.6 to 3.75 weeks: (Feb. 5-22): 50% refund
• 3.76 to 7.5 weeks: (Feb. 23-March 19): 25% refund
• No refunds will be made after 7.5 weeks of enrollment period (March 20 - beyond)

Federal refund policy

or those students who are eligible and receive federal financial aid, the following federal refund policy applies. The focus of the policy is to return the unearned portion of the federal financial aid for the enrollment period. The refund will be calculated based on the date you begin the official withdrawal process, the last date of the documented attendance or, for an unofficial withdrawal, the mid-point of the term or the last documented date of attendance. If a student withdraws from school on or before 60% of the term is complete, then the percentage of unearned Title IV federal aid shall be returned by the school and possibly by the student.

The following distribution of returned funds is as follows:

1. Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan
2. Federal Subsidized Stafford Loan
3. Federal Perkins Loan Federal PLUS Loan
4. Federal Pell Grant FSEOG (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
5. Other Title IV aid programs
6. Other federal sources
7. State, private, or institutional aid

The student

Students must complete all withdrawal procedures to be eligible for a refund. In all cases of withdrawal, no fees will be refunded. Financial aid recipients may be required to return all or a portion of financial assistance received if they withdraw from school during the semester, which may result in a balance due by the student. If students are called by the Reserves into active duty, or if they are required to withdraw for health reasons, they may request a refund. If approved, the refund will be on a pro-rata basis. No reduction in liability is available to students who withdraw from the Institute except when approval is given by the proper authorities or in previously cited instances. Individual fees are not refundable after the first day of the term. Check registration schedules and the KCAI calendar for exact liability deadline dates each semester. Withdrawal from courses does not automatically cancel housing or meal plans. Penalties for housing and meal plans are calculated based on the date a completed adjustment form is submitted to the student life office.