Financial Aid
VisArts believes people of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels should have the opportunity to participate in our programs.
We work hard to keep our classes affordable and priced competitively, but we understand that they can still be out of reach for some in our community. To ensure that our art classes really are for everyone, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond provides financial aid to adults and families on a sliding scale basis.
VisArts’ financial aid package includes:
- A set dollar amount added as a credit in your online account. This can be used at any point in the calendar year and can cover all fees when registering for a class (e.g., tuition, studio and material fees). Wondering how this amount is determined?
- Free studio access during the duration of your class.
- A complimentary VisArts membership, which includes many perks, including advance registration to classes a whole week before the general public.
HOW TO APPLY
Any individual, family member, or guardian can apply. As part of your application, we ask you to provide a copy of your most recent 1040 tax return as proof of income, or other official documentation, such as paystubs from two most recent pay periods, your most recent W2, a benefits letter, etc.
We accept financial aid applications year-round, but we recommend applying by the following dates to help you get into your preferred classes for each season:
- Winter Classes (January – March): Apply by October 1
- Spring Classes (March – May): Apply by January 1
- Summer Classes (June – August): Apply by March 1
- Fall Classes (September – November): Apply by June 1
Start your application →
HOW FINANCIAL AID IS DETERMINED
After we receive your application, VisArts’ staff will identify how much financial aid we can provide using the table below. Financial aid is calculated based on household income. All approved participants will receive a set dollar amount in financial aid, which is determined by the cost of VisArts’ highest-priced class (costs vary). For example, if VisArts’ highest-priced class costs $400 including all fees, a participant who qualifies for a 95% discount will receive $380 in financial aid.
| Household Income | 0 Dependents | 1 Dependent | 2 Dependents | 3 Dependents | 4+ Dependents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$50,000 - $55,999 |
15% |
25% |
35% |
45% |
55% |
|
$45,000 - $49,999 |
20% |
30% |
40% |
50% |
60% |
|
$39,000 - $44,999 |
30% |
40% |
50% |
60% |
70% |
|
$33,000 - $38,999 |
40% |
50% |
60% |
70% |
80% |
|
$28,000 - $32,999 |
55% |
65% |
75% |
80% |
85% |
|
$22,000 - $27,999 |
75% |
75% |
80% |
90% |
90% |
|
$16,001 - $21,999 |
85% |
85% |
90% |
95% |
95% |
|
$16,000 or less |
90% |
90% |
95% |
95% |
95% |
These discounts are based on annual Federal Poverty guidelines.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Please allow up to two weeks for your application to be processed. When your application is accepted, you’ll receive an email from VisArts’ Guest + Student Services team detailing the amount and terms of your financial aid. The awarded amount will appear as a credit in your online account, and it can be used toward one or more classes at any point in the calendar year.
We only require you to apply once each year, but you can always reapply if your financial circumstances change. Your financial aid award is valid through the end of the calendar year in which you apply. For applications submitted after September 1, awards will be issued for the upcoming calendar year.
DISCLAIMERS
- VisArts reserves the right to modify financial aid discounts as needed and based on other information you share with us.
- VisArts does not offer retroactive discounts for class registrations before approval for financial aid.
- VisArts has a cap on the amount of financial aid we can award in a year. If all available funds are claimed, we will close applications until more funds for financial aid become available. VisArts’ staff will do our best to close applications before our program capacity is met, but it is possible that the financial aid fund will be depleted before participants can use their entire allotment.
Questions?
Please contact our Guest + Student Services team by calling (804) 353-0094 or sending an email to [email protected].