Grant and Loan Programs
Students applying for Federal Aid may do so by completing the Free Application for Federal Student
Aid. The FAFSA application is available at www.fafsa.ed.gov Students must be accepted to ACI before
their financial aid applications will be processed. ACI’s federal school code is 041209.
Federal Pell Grants
Federal Pell Grants are free monies received by students from the government. These grants are based on
financial need and are determined once a FAFSA has been completed and a Student Aid Report has
been generated. Provided all terms and conditions are met, these grants do not need to be repaid.
The Financial Need Grant is available to all ACI applicants who demonstrate financial need with a
grant toward tuition expenses. Grants will be awarded to students who meet all ACI’s criteria for
need-based financial aid. Grant award winners will receive a tuition reduction** to attend Arizona
Culinary Institute.
To be eligible, a student must be enrolled for classes at Arizona Culinary Institute starting January,
2016 or later. Applicant must demonstrate financial need based upon the FAFSA Expected Family
Contribution (EFC) of 15,000 or lower.
Applicants must complete the following for eligibility.
(A) Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) NOTE: ACI’s FAFSA school code is 041209
https://fafsa.ed.gov/
(B) Apply for Federal Student and Parent Plus Loans (if applicable)
https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
An applicant’s financial need is determined by the FAFSA Expected Family Contribution(EFC) report generated by the U.S. Department of Education. Grants will be awarded to students who meet all ACI’s criteria for need-based financial aid. Recipients will receive a tuition reduction upon maintaining a minimum 2.0 grade point average. If the student does not complete the program, the grant amount will be prorated based on the time the student attended.
The Freedom Grant is available to all applicants who have prior military service or a direct family
member with prior service. The student must submit a copy of their military identification, DD214 or
their family member’s military documentation at the time of enrollment to receive the tuition
reduction. Those awarded the Freedom Grant will receive a tuition reduction** upon maintaining a
minimum 2.0 grade point average. If the student does not complete the program, the scholarship
amount will be prorated based on the time attended.
*(1) Recipients of the Financial Need Grant cannot combine the tuition reduction with other Arizona Culinary Institute Grants or Scholarships.
**Please check with ACI’s Financial Aid Office for current tuition reduction rates