Online Financial Aid & Scholarships

Institutionally funded need and/or merit-based awards given to students based on the results of the audition and application process.

Criteria: Audition and application for first-year admission.
Please note that institutional, merit-based scholarship require students to maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA for renewal from one academic year to the next. GPAs are reviewed at the end of each academic year (two terms). Scholarships may be removed from an award package if the minimum required GPA standard is not achieved.

AMDA is accepting nominations for students who plan to pursue their post-secondary education. Please recommend students who you think will benefit from our intensive training in one of our Bachelor of Fine Arts or AOS or Certificate Programs. Nominate a student.

Institutionally funded, need-based awards given to students who begin study during the summer term.

Criteria: Results of FAFSA and financial need.

Institutionally funded, need-based awards given to students who begin study during the spring term.

Criteria: Results of FAFSA and financial need.

Federally funded, need-based grant program.

Criteria: Financial need as determined by filing the FAFSA.

Federal and institution-funded, school-administered, limited need-based grant program.

Criteria: Available to Pell-eligible students.

Federal and institution-funded, school-administered student employment program.

Criteria: Financial need; student interest; U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Must file FAFSA form.

Institutionally funded, merit-based awards given to outstanding, International students based on the results of the audition and application process.

Criteria: Audition and application for first-year admission.

DIRECT SUBSIDIZED LOAN

Direct Subsidized Loans are for students with financial need. Your school will review the results of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and determine the amount you can borrow. You are not charged interest while you're in school at least half-time and during grace periods and deferment periods.

DIRECT UNSUBSIDIZED LOAN

You are not required to demonstrate financial need to receive a Direct Unsubsidized Loan. Like subsidized loans, your school will determine the amount you can borrow. Interest accrues (accumulates) on an unsubsidized loan from the time it's first paid out. You can pay the interest while you are in school and during grace periods and deferment or forbearance periods, or you can allow it to accrue and be capitalized (that is, added to the principal amount of your loan). If you choose not to pay the interest as it accrues, this will increase the total amount you have to repay because you will be charged interest on a higher principal amount.

As with all federal student aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Most students use FAFSA on the Web to complete their application. Schools use the information from your FAFSA to determine how much student aid you will receive.

Master Promissory Note: When you receive a Stafford Loan for the first time, you must complete a Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN is a legal document in which you promise to repay your loan and any accrued interest and fees to the lender. It also explains the terms and conditions of your loan. In most cases, one MPN can be used for loans that you receive over several years of study.

Entrance Counseling: All students are also required to complete Stafford Loan Entrance Counseling. The Entrance Counseling makes sure that you are fully aware of your responsibilities and obligations concerning the loan funds you choose to borrow.

You may complete your MPN and required Entrance Counseling online.

There are limits on the maximum amount you are eligible to receive each academic year (annual loan limit) and in total (aggregate loan limits). These limits are shown in the chart in the next section. The actual amount you can borrow each year depends on your year in school, whether you are a dependent or independent student, and other factors, and may be less than the maximum amounts shown in the loan limit chart. Your school will determine what types of loans and how much you may borrow.

Depending on your financial need, you may be eligible to receive a subsidized loan for an amount up to the annual subsidized loan borrowing limit for your level of study. If you have education expenses that have not been met by subsidized loans and other aid, you may also receive an unsubsidized loan so long as you don't exceed the combined subsidized and unsubsidized annual loan limits.

The following provides maximum annual and aggregate (total) loan limits for subsidized and unsubsidized Direct Stafford Loans.

Dependent Undergraduate Student (except students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)

First Year: $5,500 - No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Second Year: $6,500 - No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Each Additional Year: $7,500 - No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Maximum Total Debt from Stafford Loans When You Graduate (aggregate loan limits): $31,000 - No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

Independent Undergraduate Student (and dependent students whose parents are unable to obtain PLUS Loans)

First Year: $9,500 - No more than $3,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Second Year: $10,500 - No more than $4,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Each Additional Year: $12,500 - No more than $5,500 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.
Maximum Total Debt from Stafford Loans When You Graduate (aggregate loan limits): $57,500 - No more than $23,000 of this amount may be in subsidized loans.

The parent borrower must be the student's biological or adoptive parent. In some cases, the student's stepparent may be eligible.

The student must be a dependent student who is enrolled at least half-time at a school that participates in the Direct Loan Program. Generally, a student is considered dependent if he or she is under 24 years of age, has no dependents, and is not married, a veteran, a graduate or professional degree student, or a ward of the court.

The parent borrower must not have an adverse credit history (a credit check will be done). If the parent does not pass the credit check, the parent may still receive a loan if someone (such as a relative or friend who is able to pass the credit check) agrees to endorse the loan. The endorser promises to repay the loan if the parent fails to do so.

The student and parent must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, must not be in default on any federal education loans or owe an overpayment on a federal education grant, and must meet other general eligibility requirements for the federal student aid programs.

For a Direct PLUS Loan, the parent must complete a Direct PLUS Loan Application and Master Promissory Note (MPN). The MPN is a legal document in which the borrower promises to repay the loan and any accrued interest and fees to the lender. It also explains the terms and conditions of the loan. In most cases, one MPN can be used for loans that a parent receives over multiple academic years, although a separate Loan Request must be filed for each school year.

Prior to 7/1/26, the annual limit on a PLUS loan is equal to the student's cost of attendance minus any other financial aid the student receives. As of 7/1/26, the maximum annual PLUS loan is $20,000 with an aggregate (lifetime) limit of $65,000 per dependent child.

The repayment period for a Direct PLUS Loan begins when the loan is fully disbursed, and the first payment is due 60 days after the final disbursement. However, for Direct PLUS Loans with a first disbursement date on or after July 1, 2008, the parent may defer repayment while the student on whose behalf the parent borrowed the loan is enrolled on at least a half-time basis, and for an additional six months after the student ceases to be enrolled at least half-time.