QUICK ANSWER
CalArts treats merit aid differently from many U.S. art schools. Every admitted student is considered automatically, and an undergraduate merit scholarship is a flat $10,000 a year, kept for the degree once awarded in the first year. It does not rise with a stronger portfolio.
The part that can vary is the Access Grant, which domestic and international students may be considered for, partly on financial need — without a FAFSA. Against a 2026–27 cost of attendance of $90,455, a merit scholarship alone brings the yearly cost to about $80,455.
Korean families often compare CalArts with schools that give large, variable merit awards. That comparison only works if you know how CalArts’ aid is built. This guide explains each part of a CalArts offer for an international BFA student, using CalArts’ own financial aid pages, and shows how to compare it with other offers.
AID LINE 01
The Parts of a CalArts Offer
| Aid type | Who is considered | What CalArts says |
|---|---|---|
| Merit Scholarship | All admitted students, based on the admissions portfolio or audition | $10,000 per year for undergraduates; kept for the degree once awarded in the first year |
| Access Grant | Domestic and international BFA students | Considers several criteria, including demonstrated need; no FAFSA required |
| Outside scholarships | Any student | May affect eligibility for other aid; total aid cannot exceed cost of attendance |
| U.S. student loans | Limited | Generally require a cosigner who is a U.S. resident |
From CalArts financial aid pages for international students, checked October 2026.
The fixed merit amount has a practical effect. At many schools, a stronger portfolio can mean a larger award. At CalArts, the portfolio decides whether you receive the $10,000 merit scholarship, but not how large it is. The variable part of an offer comes from the Access Grant.
AID LINE 02
What a Year Costs With Merit Aid
| Item (on-campus BFA, 2026–27) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cost of attendance | $90,455 |
| Merit scholarship (if awarded) | −$10,000 |
| Cost after merit scholarship | $80,455 |
| Four years at this rate, before any Access Grant | $321,820 |
Cost of attendance from CalArts’ 2026–27 page. Four-year figure is simple multiplication at current prices; tuition usually rises each year.
For comparison, our records show how other schools award Korean students. Otis made awards to 31 of our 38 admits, averaging $63,935; MICA to 51 of 64, averaging $54,290. Those averages are first-notice amounts and are not directly comparable with CalArts’ annual figure, so always compare offers by the yearly net cost each school states. See whether CalArts is worth the cost for a fuller view.
AID LINE 03
Working and Paying During the Year
- On-campus work. International students may work up to 20 hours a week on campus while keeping F-1 status, after receiving a Social Security card and hiring approval.
- Payment plan. CalArts offers a monthly plan for direct charges, paid by automatic withdrawal.
- Loans. U.S. loans usually need a U.S.-resident cosigner, which many Korean families do not have. Plan to fund the gap from family resources or Korean sources.
- Outside scholarships. Report them to CalArts; they can change other aid, and total aid cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
HOW TO READ A CALARTS OFFER
Look for three lines: the Merit Scholarship (fixed at $10,000 if awarded), any Access Grant, and the remaining cost. Then compare the remaining cost with other schools’ offers for the same year. The question to ask is not “which scholarship is larger?” but “what will we actually pay each year?”
AID LINE 04
Frequently Asked Questions
Do international students get merit scholarships at CalArts?
Yes. CalArts considers all admitted students for merit scholarships based on the admissions portfolio or audition. For undergraduates, the award is $10,000 per year.
Do I need to apply separately for CalArts scholarships?
No separate merit application is described; consideration is part of the portfolio or audition review. Access Grants do not require a FAFSA.
Does a stronger portfolio mean a larger CalArts scholarship?
Not for the merit scholarship, which is a fixed $10,000 per year for undergraduates. The Access Grant can vary.
Can international students work at CalArts?
Yes, on campus, up to 20 hours a week while maintaining F-1 status, once hiring paperwork is complete.
How much does CalArts cost after a merit scholarship?
Using the 2026–27 cost of attendance of $90,455, a $10,000 merit scholarship leaves about $80,455 a year before any Access Grant.
ROYAL BLUE ART & DESIGN
For 19 years we have prepared Korean students for CalArts, RISD and other U.S. art schools from our studio in Apgujeong, Seoul. Our public record lists 1,099 acceptances confirmed directly with students. We help families read each offer and compare yearly net cost before 1 May. Call 02-3446-5929 or book a consultation.
Aid details from CalArts’ scholarship and international student aid pages; costs from the 2026–27 cost of attendance page, checked October 2026. Royal Blue figures from our results record (2009–2026). If something here has changed, tell us and we will correct it.
Related reading: Is CalArts Worth It? · CalArts Campus Life · CalArts vs RISD · After You Submit · Royal Blue Results