Paying for AFI? (And film school in general)

[katiebonnie]

The fees are so expensive I don't think I'd have a hope in hell of going even if I somehow got in

 

[llueve]

I spoke with AFI's Financial Aid Office recently to get some questions answered and found something out that I wish I had known before applying:

Financial aid offers from AFI cap at $10,000.

- This number is for incoming Fall 2021 Fellows. This maximum varies year to year depending on AFI's fund-raising efforts, but has hovered around this amount for the past few years (and perhaps beyond).
- This cap does NOT reflect the THREE full-tuition scholarships that are awarded by AFI every year. One is for a Screenwriting Fellow. I am not sure what disciplines the other two are for. The recipient is determined by the department.

So, either you apply to a lucky discipline and win the jackpot and get full tuition paid for by the school, OR you will *at best* have only $10k covered per year, which is less than 1/6 of the total tuition and fees (and about 1/9 of tuition + fees + living expenses).

I'm thinking about writing a very respectful, but still direct, letter to them advocating for a higher number.

I'm curious, did you end up sending an appeal and if so, were you successful?

 

[Abbey Normal]

I spoke with AFI's Financial Aid Office recently to get some questions answered and found something out that I wish I had known before applying:

Financial aid offers from AFI cap at $10,000.

- This number is for incoming Fall 2021 Fellows. This maximum varies year to year depending on AFI's fund-raising efforts, but has hovered around this amount for the past few years (and perhaps beyond).

I'll take $10k/year!!! Looks like Chapman also capped off scholarships at $10k. Right now any money is better than no money haha.

 

[bbk]

I didn't get any scholarship funding from AFI. I have a few years of savings from work, but still will need to take out a lot in loans. I'd have nothing left but debt at the end of year two which is scary as I want to be able to support myself staying in LA. I have no idea where to find film school friendly scholarships. A lot seem to be reserved for undergrads, different career paths, specific diversity groups, etc. Any tips would be appreciated!

How did you end up figuring this out? And where can I reach you to talk about this in detail?