Financial aid is available in a combination of work-study, education loans, and scholarship to assist students in financing their education. In conformity with university policy, financial assistance is determined only after a student has been accepted for admission and is awarded solely on the basis of students’ demonstrated financial need and available resources within the Yale School of Art. The school determines financial need in accordance with formulas established by federal and institutional methodologies.

New applicants are encouraged to submit documents before established deadlines to ensure access to funding. For the academic year 2023–2024, more than 80 percent of students in the School received some form of financial aid. There are no scholarships based on merit or any criteria other than financial need.

The fall 2025 financial aid priority deadline is March 1 for incoming students and April 30 for returning students. Individuals in default of a student loan will not be granted a financial aid award until clearance of such a default is provided to the school. Financial aid, whether in the form of loan, scholarship, or job, is authorized contingent upon the student’s maintaining satisfactory academic progress.