Looking for a more in-depth walkthrough of how to apply for FAFSA®? Our guide takes you through the process step by step, plus provides helpful time saving tips.
FINANCING YOUR CULINARY EDUCATION
Exploring federal financial aid, scholarships, grants, and other financing options? We’re here to guide you.
Contact AdmissionsFinancial Aid Starts with FAFSA® – Let’s Walk You Through It
Federal financial aid is available to those who apply and qualify. To find out if you’re eligible for federal grants, loans, or work-study, you will need to complete the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid form).
Step 1: Create Your FSA ID
This ID allows you to start the FAFSA® process and check the status of your application online.
Step 2: Fill Out the FAFSA® Form
Our school codes are:
037763 for Boulder campus (including
online programs)
037276 for Austin campus
Step 3: Speak to Admissions
After submitting your FAFSA®, please print a copy for your records and contact Admissions for next steps.
Important Details About Completing the FAFSA®
Submitting your FAFSA® helps determine your eligibility for federal aid – with no commitment to enroll at Escoffier.
Keep these documents ready to help your FAFSA® application go smoothly:
- Last two years of income tax returns (include yours and your spouse’s or parents if dependent)
- W-2 forms or other records of income
- Identification documents (social security card and driver’s license)
To participate in federal financial aid programs at Escoffier, students must:
- Meet FAFSA® eligibility requirements.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined by your campus: Boulder Campus & Online Programs or Austin Campus.
- Complete and submit required forms by their deadlines.
- Reapply for FAFSA® each academic year. You may need to apply more than once per year, depending on your start date.
We recommend applying for financial aid as early as possible to allow sufficient time for application processing. Students are strongly encouraged to fill out their FAFSA® at least 14 days before their first day of class at Escoffier.
*Note: Be sure to review the following FAFSA® application deadlines.
- Once your FAFSA® is processed and your eligibility is confirmed, federal aid will be applied directly to your Escoffier tuition and fees.
- If your aid exceeds your tuition and fees, the remaining loan funds will be issued to you as a stipend.* This amount must be repaid.
*Note: This stipend is separate from the one-time “Ingredients Grant” that new students receive, which is intended for grocery expenses only.
- Be sure to review your financial aid paperwork and contact us with any questions.
Required Forms
Keep these documents ready to help your FAFSA® application go smoothly:
- Last two years of income tax returns (include yours and your spouse’s or parents if dependent)
- W-2 forms or other records of income
- Identification documents (social security card and driver’s license)
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in federal financial aid programs at Escoffier, students must:
- Meet FAFSA® eligibility requirements.
- Maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress as outlined by your campus: Boulder Campus & Online Programs or Austin Campus.
- Complete and submit required forms by their deadlines.
- Reapply for FAFSA® each academic year. You may need to apply more than once per year, depending on your start date.
Deadlines
We recommend applying for financial aid as early as possible to allow sufficient time for application processing. Students are strongly encouraged to fill out their FAFSA® at least 14 days before their first day of class at Escoffier.
*Note: Be sure to review the following FAFSA® application deadlines.
How Reimbursement Works
- Once your FAFSA® is processed and your eligibility is confirmed, federal aid will be applied directly to your Escoffier tuition and fees.
- If your aid exceeds your tuition and fees, the remaining loan funds will be issued to you as a stipend.* This amount must be repaid.
*Note: This stipend is separate from the one-time “Ingredients Grant” that new students receive, which is intended for grocery expenses only.
- Be sure to review your financial aid paperwork and contact us with any questions.
Get the FAFSA® for Culinary School Guide
Get Our FAFSA® for Culinary School Guide
Types of Financing Available to You
There are a number of funding sources and financial aid options available to those who apply and qualify.
Federal Grants
Federal Pell Grant
Federal Pell Grants are free grants and do not have to be repaid unless you withdraw from school. These grants are offered to students who demonstrate financial need and desire to continue their education beyond high school. Every student is entitled to apply for a Federal Pell Grant.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
The FSEOG is a grant program that provides need-based grants to help undergraduate students with “exceptional need,” with priority given to students with Federal Pell Grant eligibility. The FSEOG does not need to be repaid. Due to limited funding, grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis each year.
Federal Student and Parent Loans
Federal Direct Stafford Loan
Federal Direct Stafford Loans are low-interest loans for eligible students to help cover the cost of higher education. Eligible students borrow directly from the U.S. Department of Education at participating schools. Direct Stafford Loans include the following two types of loans:
- Subsidized Stafford Loan is need-based and the government pays (subsidizes) the interest while the student is in school. The student has 10 to 25 years to repay depending on the loan amount.
- Unsubsidized Stafford Loan is not based on need. The student is responsible for paying the interest while in school and during the deferment period. Students may choose to pay the interest while in school or allow it to accrue (added to the principal amount of the loan).
Federal Direct Stafford Loans, unlike grants, must be repaid with interest.
Federal PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students)
Parents of dependent undergraduate students can borrow from the William D. Ford Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan program on behalf of you. These loans are not based on need. Either or both parents may borrow from this program. A credit check is required. Repayment begins within 60 days of final disbursement of the loan; however, parents may request a deferment of payments.
Federal Work-Study Jobs
Federal Work-Study
Federal Work-Study is a program designed to assist students with financial need by allowing them to work part-time while attending school. Positions may be on-campus, off-campus or community service related.
BankMobile Disbursements
Stipends
At this time Escoffier delivers stipends to students who are eligible and participating in the Distance Learning Programs with BankMobile Disbursements, a technology solution, powered by BMTX, Inc. For more information on how to select a refund preference with BankMobile Disbursements, contact the Financial Aid Office at 855-927-1068 option 1 or visit this website. You may view our third-party servicer contract for refund management.
Additional Resources to Help You Pay for School
Scholarships & Grants
There are many scholarship and grant resources available to those who apply and qualify. We encourage you to apply.
Flexible Payment Plans
Escoffier offers flexible payment plan options to students who intend to pay by check or credit card for their culinary education.
Net Price Calculator
You may estimate the “net price” of your costs of attending the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts with our easy-to-use calculator:
Need Assistance? Contact the Financial Aid Department Today!
Boulder Campus
Austin Campus
Online Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Financial Aid at Escoffier
Will I receive money for groceries or cooking supplies?
Upon enrolling in one of Escoffier’s culinary programs, students receive a standard toolkit containing utensils and tools specific to their program, as well as a chef’s uniform. This kit includes items students may need to get started with a professional culinary education from home. Toolkits and other supplies may change from year to year.
For online programs, there are some additional costs for supplies and equipment, including groceries; these vary by program. A list of current course materials and supplies is available upon request.
What happens if I withdraw or take a break from classes?
Students should meet with the Student Finance Office for a Withdrawal Evaluation before making a decision to withdraw or stop attending classes.
A student receiving federal financial aid (Title IV funds) may have his/her financial aid adjusted based on his/her date of official or unofficial withdrawal. Title IV consists of Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Opportunity Educational Grants, Federal Work-study, Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Direct PLUS loans.
Students who are on a Leave of Absence will not be eligible to receive federal funding while on leave. Prior to requesting a Leave of Absence students are strongly encouraged to schedule an appointment with the Student Finance Office for review and discussion of federal funding responsibilities.
A student who is graduating, withdrawing or dropping below a half time status from the school should complete their Exit Counseling. Exit Counseling is completed at https://studentaid.gov/. Exit counseling must be completed within 30 days of a student’s last date of attendance.
In what situation might I need to submit the FAFSA® more than once in a calendar year?
FAFSA® operates based on its Award Year, which spans from July 1st to June 30th of the following year, so you might need to submit the FAFSA® more than once in a calendar year if your first year of courses crosses two different cycles. For example, if you begin your program at Escoffier in January, you may have to fill out the FAFSA® twice—once for your courses from January through June, and once for your courses from July through the following June.
I don’t think I’ll be eligible for financial aid. Should I bother with the FAFSA®?
Yes, definitely! You won’t know for sure whether you’re eligible until you apply. Many Escoffier students are eligible for some kind of federal funding*. You might not qualify for a grant, but maybe you can qualify for a low-interest loan to ease the month-to-month expenses as you get your culinary education. While we cannot guarantee that any individual student will get that funding, the only way to find out is to complete the FAFSA®.
*Financial aid is available for those who apply and quality. International students are not eligible.
When will the Escoffier Financial Aid Office apply funding towards my tuition?
Federal aid is disbursed based on payment period and under the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Education. For additional information, see the Student Finance Office. Please Note the Financial Aid Office will be unable to disburse funding towards any applicable tuition and/or fees until you have completed the Financial Aid process.
