Interlochen Arts Academy: Tuition, Financial Aid, and Accessibility

Interlochen Arts Academy, recognized as the #1 Best High School for the Arts in America, provides an exceptional artistic and educational experience. Located in northwest Michigan, the academy offers students the chance to work, study, and live in an international community of artists. Students receive supportive attention and numerous performance, gallery, and presentation opportunities. Interlochen provides both college-preparatory academics and intensive artistic training in seven fine arts areas: creative writing, dance, film and new media, interdisciplinary arts, music, theatre, and visual arts. Academy students work with accomplished faculty, professional guest artists, and 550 other talented and creative students. Personalized guidance and expert portfolio reviews allow graduates access to selective colleges, universities, and conservatories.

The Value of an Interlochen Education

Interlochen Arts Academy offers a holistic, integrated academic and arts education that prepares students for a life of purpose within and beyond the arts. Students dedicate half of the school day to college-preparatory academics and the other half immersed in their art form. The academy boasts impressive outcomes, including:

Having produced 51 Presidential Scholars in the Arts, more than any other high school in the country.
Being a 2006 recipient of the National Medal of Arts and a 2019 recipient of the Green Ribbon School award.
Students receive nearly three times more college scholarships than the average public or charter school student.
Last year, 100% of 4-year seniors got into one of their top 3 college choices.

Understanding Tuition Costs

The tuition cost at Interlochen Arts Academy for the 2024-2025 academic year is approximately $78,725 for boarding students and approximately $44,530 for day students. These costs are inclusive of more than just instruction but also room and board for boarding students, health services, and student activities.

Factors Influencing Tuition

Several factors contribute to the overall cost of attendance at Interlochen:

Boarding vs. Day Student: Boarding tuition includes room and board, while day student tuition does not.
Grade Level: Students entering grades 9-11 pay a lower tuition price and have greater access to institutional funding than one-year seniors. If you enter Interlochen as a freshman, sophomore, or junior, you’ll be eligible for the lower tuition price during your senior year. You’ll also pay the lower price if you choose to stay for a postgraduate year.
Arts Major: Tuition covers private lessons and food, which might otherwise be additional expenses.

Addressing Misconceptions about Tuition

Many prospective students and families see the cost of attendance and think it’s beyond their financial means. At Interlochen, they firmly believe that finances shouldn’t be a barrier to amazing educational experiences.

Read also: Notable Interlochen Alumni

Misconception: "I should save my money for college instead."
- Reality: Interlochen students receive nearly three times more college scholarships than the average public or charter school student. This speaks to the value of the training and college counseling at Interlochen.
Misconception: "I won’t qualify for aid."
- Reality: The average annual household income of families who receive aid at Interlochen is higher than you might expect. When you apply for financial aid, a real person looks at your application, and they work hard to make it possible for all students who are admitted to Interlochen to be able to enroll. You won't know how much aid you’re eligible for until you apply.
Misconception: "If I only go for senior year, it will be cheaper."
- Reality: Students entering grades 9-11 pay a lower tuition price and have greater access to institutional funding than one-year seniors.
Misconception: "At an arts high school, merit aid is everything."
- Reality: While Interlochen does offer merit scholarships, most of the funding that they offer is need-based.
Misconception: "There are hidden costs or fees that aren’t included in the tuition price."
- Reality: We work very hard to include almost all costs into the tuition price and to help you outline a full estimated cost of attendance before you enroll. Attending Interlochen also means that some costs will shift to us, such as your private lessons and food. Families can make individual decisions about additional expenses that make the most sense to them.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

Interlochen Arts Academy is dedicated to making world-class arts education accessible to talented students from all backgrounds. For this reason, they offer both need-based financial aid and merit scholarships to families. Interlochen is committed to creating a community that values accessibility and transcends barriers. Their financial aid program aims to bridge the gap for students who demonstrate a need for financial assistance, while also recognizing and rewarding exceptional talent through merit-based scholarships. Their goal is to advance access and opportunity for qualified individuals. They ask that every family make a sincere effort to contribute what they can toward the cost of their student’s education, as part of our shared commitment to this mission. They make every effort to ensure that financial need does not prevent talented students from attending Interlochen.

Types of Financial Aid

Interlochen offers two primary types of financial assistance:

Merit-Based Scholarships: These scholarships recognize students with exceptional artistic talent. All applicants to programs that are two weeks or longer AND require a portfolio or audition will automatically be considered for a merit-based award, unless otherwise indicated by the family; no financial documentation is required. Please note that we do not offer merit scholarships for one-week Intensive programs. A limited number of full-tuition scholarships are available for high school string, woodwind, brass, harp, and percussion musicians through the Interlochen Orchestral Scholars and Fennell Scholars Programs. To be considered for one of these programs, please ensure that your application is completed by Jan. 15.
Need-Based Financial Aid: This aid is based on family income and financial circumstances. In order to apply for need-based assistance, you will indicate your interest by clicking the box within the application that asks if you would like to be considered for need-based aid. Once you click this box, you will be prompted to upload a copy of your most recent tax return.

Key Statistics

83% of students receive merit scholarships and need-based financial assistance.
Interlochen awards $17.5 million in total financial aid annually.
Graduates receive nearly three times more college scholarships than the average public or charter school student.

Eligibility

Both domestic and international students can apply for merit-based and need-based aid.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid, follow these steps:

Submit an Application for Admission: Ensure that your application is submitted by the posted deadline.
Complete the Clarity Financial Aid Application.
- Create an Account: Follow the prompts to complete your required account information.
- Fill out the Application: Complete and submit your application, which typically takes under 30 minutes. You can save your progress to return later. The application is mobile-friendly, so you can complete it from anywhere.
- Pay the Fee: A $60 submission fee is required.

Important Notes for International Students: To be considered for any type of aid, families must complete the Clarity application, including the Non-US Tax Filer Verification.

Read also: UCLA DMA Program

Divorced/Separated Parents: In situations where parents or guardians are divorced, separated, or unmarried, Interlochen Arts Academy requires each parent or family to submit a separate financial aid application.

Demonstrated Need: Demonstrated need is the difference between what a family can reasonably afford to contribute toward tuition and the annual tuition rate.

Key Dates

Sept. 1: Interlochen Arts Academy begins to accept admission and financial aid applications.
Nov. 15: Early Action Deadline for admission and financial aid. The Early Action Deadline allows for priority consideration for financial aid and scholarships.
Jan. 15: Regular Decision Deadline for both admission and financial aid. Applications submitted after Jan.

Payment Options

Interlochen Arts Academy offers three payment options for your convenience:

Full Year's Tuition: Pay the full year's tuition at one time. Tuition payment made in full is due on August 15th.
Two Installments: Split the annual tuition in two installments due at the beginning of each semester. Due date is on the 15th of the month in August and January. Payments will be made through FACTS. There is a one-time enrollment fee, per school year, of $45 to participate. You may pay FACTS online or by phone with a checking account, statement savings account, or credit card.
Ten-Month Payment Plan: Divide the tuition payment into ten months, beginning July 15 and ending April 15 OR beginning August 1 and ending May 1. Payments will be made through FACTS. There is a one-time enrollment fee, per school year, of $120 to participate. You may pay FACTS online or by phone with a checking account, statement savings account, or credit card.

Additional Financial Resources

Tuition Loan Programs

Tuition loan programs can help make tuition payments more affordable by providing funds upfront and allowing families to spread payments over a longer period of time than traditional tuition payment plans. These programs typically offer low, fixed-rate education loans to help cover the cost of your child’s education.

529 Savings Plans

You can actually borrow from your 529 plan to cover a portion of your secondary tuition.

Campus Life and Environment

Interlochen Arts Academy offers a unique and immersive environment for young artists:

Residence Life: Boarding students live in one of seven residence halls, supervised by a Director of Residence Life, Instructors of Residence Life, and a Residence Hall Assistant.
Dining: The Stone Dining Hall serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a variety of choices, including options for students with dietary restrictions.
Health Services: A staff of health professionals provides information, promotes overall wellness, and responds in case of sickness or injury.
Student Life: Students enjoy an active social life with recreational and social opportunities both on and off campus.
Safety and Security: The safety and security of students is the foremost priority of faculty and staff.

Academics at Interlochen

Interlochen Arts Academy offers a challenging and comprehensive college-preparatory program. The academic curriculum includes courses in math, sciences, English, history, political science, and world language.

Balancing Arts and Academics

Students must successfully complete a core academic curriculum in order to graduate. Unlike most schools, however, arts and academics at Interlochen Arts Academy often overlap. Academic classes frequently draw upon the arts and vice versa.

College Preparation

Academy students receive help and support from faculty members and a staff of college and academic counselors who have years of experience helping students find and apply to the right programs. Additionally, students have the advantage of learning from other students who are going through the audition/portfolio review process.

Advanced Placement (AP) Courses

While Interlochen offers a limited number of AP courses, Academy students take AP exams in many subject areas and traditionally perform very well. Furthermore, thanks to our partnership with Indiana University’s Advance College Project, you can earn college credit on Interlochen's campus while taking select academic courses. These credits are transferable to any college or university. When you enroll in IU courses in English, History, and Science through ACP at the Academy, you receive both high school and college credit.

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