Next Steps for Undergrad Students by School of the Art Institute of Chicago

RESPOND TO YOUR OFFER OF ADMISSION Submit your Declaration of Intent form as soon as you are ready. You may: • Fill out the form below and return it to: SAIC Undergraduate Admissions, 36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1201, Chicago, IL 60603 • Fax it to us at 312.629.6101 OR • Submit it online at saic.edu/ugintent

ADMISSIONS DECLARATION OF INTENT

/ BIRTHDATE

STUDENT’S LAST NAME /

HOME PHONE

CELL PHONE

@ EMAIL ADDRESS

PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS AS APPLICABLE:

SAIC is my number one choice and I plan to enroll for Fall 2021. I will be scheduling a registration appointment. SAIC is one of my top three schools. The others are: 1. NAME OF SCHOOL

2. NAME OF SCHOOL

I am waiting to find out about financial aid and scholarship prior to making my decision I plan on deferring my admission to:

Spring 2022

Fall 2022

Please withdraw my application. I will NOT be attending SAIC because: I will be attending another school: NAME OF SCHOOL

I have financial concerns about SAIC SAIC does not meet my educational criteria Other (please specify):

RESPOND TO YOUR OFFER OF ADMISSION

STUDENT’S FIRST NAME

In order to make online deposits, view financial aid, and review billing information, you will need to activate your ARTIC account. This account will also provide you with access to your SAIC email, Self Service, library databases, Canvas, WiFi and much more. Please note that you will need your SAIC ID number (included in your admission letter) in order to complete this process. Additionally, you must complete the activation process using a web browser on a computer rather than from your mobile phone or tablet. IMPORTANT: You may have already activated and logged into the applicant portal to check the status of your application materials, and if so, you will not need to complete the ARTIC account activation process again. The username and password you were assigned for the applicant portal is your ARTIC username and password. To activate your account visit password.artic.edu

• Your 7-digit SAIC ID number (included on your admission letter) • Last name •Y our birthdate (two digit day, dash, and all caps three digit month) Example: 18-SEP After entering this information please follow the instructions for account activation. Your login is automatically assigned, but you will create your own password. Passwords must be alphanumeric and at least 6 characters. Please complete all the steps shown on the password.artic.edu site while setting up your ARTIC account. Once you have activated your account, visit saic.edu/students. Under the Quicklinks section at the top left of this page you may access Self-Service and your email through Google Apps. If you have already activated your ARTIC account and need to reset your password, you may also do this by visiting password.artic.edu. Questions? Contact the CRIT Help Desk at 312.345.3535 or crithelpdesk@artic.edu. CRIT Help Desk hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

1 ACTIVATE YOUR ARTIC ACCOUNT

Please click the Activate Account button. Enter the captcha seen and then click verify. On the next page, you will be asked for:

STEP

ACTIVATE YOUR ARTIC ACCOUNT

In order to accept your admission and secure your place in our fall 2021 class, we require that admitted students pay a non-refundable $300 tuition deposit. The deposit is not an extra fee, and will be applied toward your tuition charges. You may submit your deposit as soon as you are committed to SAIC, and no later than May 1. To make your deposit online by ACH (electronic check), wire transfer, or credit card (convenience fee will be charged for credit card):

Though online payment is the preferred method for paying your deposit, you may also send a check or money order to: SAIC Undergraduate Admissions, 36 S. Wabash, suite 1201, Chicago, IL 60603. Please include your 7-digit SAIC ID number in the memo line. A complete list of payment options and instructions can be found at saic.edu/payment/paymentoptions.

2 MAKE YOUR TUITION DEPOSIT

1. If you have not done so already, activate your Artic account at password.artic.edu. See Step 1. 2. Visit saic.edu/students. 3. C lick the “Self-Service” button under Quicklinks. 4. Enter your login information. 5. Click on “Student Homepage” in the top center of the page and go to the “Financial Account” section. 6. Click on the “CASHNet” button. Make sure your pop-up blocker is turned off. A new window showing CASHNet should appear. 7. In CASHNet, click on “Make a Payment” in the bottom right hand corner. 8. C lick on “Enrollment Deposit.” 9. C lick on “Enrollment Deposit-New Undergraduate Student $300” and follow the instructions.

STEP

MAKE YOUR TUITION/ENROLLMENT DEPOSIT

HOW TO APPLY: saic.edu/applyfa

In order to be eligible for need-based aid such as SAIC, state and federal grants, loans and work study you need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov. We encourage you to file your FAFSA early as some types of assistance are limited, and may have early deadlines. •W e encourage you to file the FAFSA even if you aren’t sure you will qualify for financial aid.

• I nternational students do not file the FAFSA. In mid-January, SAIC begins awarding financial aid for eligible students who have completed the FAFSA. An official award letter outlining your financial aid will be sent to you once your file has been reviewed and your eligibility has been determined. MERIT SCHOLARSHIP: saic.edu/ugmerit You are reviewed for SAIC’s merit-based scholarship (based on a holistic review of your application and not on need) once you have been admitted to SAIC. No additional paperwork or applications are necessary. OUTSIDE SCHOLARSHIPS: saic.edu/outsidescholarships We recommend searching sources like fastweb.com or speaking with your high school or college counselor about other local scholarship opportunities. Also consider scholarships offered by any professional, community, or religious organizations of which you are a member. SAIC provides helpful information about outside scholarships and scholarship search engines at the website above including a list of outside scholarships researched by SAIC staff members. Outside scholarships are also listed regularly on the Student Financial Services Facebook and Twitter pages at facebook.com/SAICsfs and twitter.com/SAIC_SFS. FIGURE YOUR COSTS BUDGETING WORKSHEET: saic.edu/fyc Complete this worksheet available in your Financial Aid Award Guide or online at saic.edu/fyc by May 1 to determine if you have enough financial resources to cover your entire annual cost of attendance. You may need to apply for additional credit-based loans such as the Federal Direct Parent PLUS loan or Private loans. These loans are only available to credit-worthy borrowers. LOAN ENTRANCE COUNSELING SESSIONS AND APPLICATIONS: saic.edu/loansteps An online entrance counseling session for Federal Direct Stafford loans, and loan applications for Federal Direct Stafford, Federal Direct Parent PLUS, and Private loans should be completed by July 1. Please note: the Federal PLUS loan and Private loan programs are approved based on good credit and may not be available to some applicants. continued on the following page

3 APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

•Y ou should complete the 2021–22 FAFSA as soon as possible using income information from the 2019 tax year. Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool when completing the FAFSA to transfer your income data from the IRS quickly and easily.

STEP

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

• I f you wish to be considered for financial aid for fall 2021, file the 2021-22 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov available beginning Oct. 1, 2020. • A financial aid award offer will be sent to admitted students who have a FAFSA on file, on a rolling basis beginning in mid-January. • Review your finances by completing the 2021–22 Figure Your Costs budgeting worksheet at saic.edu/fyc by May 1st. • Be sure to complete loan steps to accept offered loan as instructed at saic.edu/loansteps by July 1st so that funds are received prior to the start of the fall semester. • If you do not want to borrow the federal loans offered to you on your award letter, please send an email notification from your SAIC email to saic.sfs@saic.edu so that we may cancel them on your award letter by July 1st or earlier. • Fall 2021 payment in full or payment arrangements are due by August 15.

NEED HELP? Our Student Financial Services Advisors are here at every step in the process to help you finance your education at SAIC. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 312.629.6600, email us at saic.sfs@saic.edu, chat live with us at saic.edu/sfslivechat, or access our online Q+A at sfshelp.saic.edu.

HELPFUL FINANCIAL AID TIPS: •3 –5 days after you file your online FAFSA you will be emailed a confirmation. Review your processed FAFSA carefully to ensure that you have supplied the correct data and follow any further instructions. •T here may be questions you need to answer based on information you provided on the FAFSA. We will contact you by mail if we need clarification or additional documentation. Please respond as soon as you receive this request to avoid any delay in processing your financial aid. Submit your documents electronically through MappingXpress at saic.edu/sfsdocsubmit. • I f you feel the FAFSA has not accurately represented your financial situation, or there has been a change in family finances — loss of employment, separation, divorce or death, for example — you should contact the Student Financial Services office at 312.629.6600 or saic. sfs@saic.edu to discuss your circumstances with an SFS Advisor. Details at saic.edu/sfsappeals.

3 APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

• Enroll in a semester payment plan by August 1st if you would like to pay any balance not covered by financial aid in 4 monthly installments beginning August 15.

STEP

IMPORTANT STEPS IN FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION:

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING: Living on campus allows you to immerse yourself in a community of fellow artists, live just minutes away from your classes in the heart of downtown Chicago, and enjoy conveniences you won’t find in most student apartments. Residence Hall Features: • Large, well-lit common studios • Live-in professional staff • In-room wireless internet

• Computer Labs • 24-hour security staff • In-room kitchenettes/kitchens

• In-building/in-unit laundry • Private bathrooms

HOUSING APPLICATION PROCESS Housing invitations, including next steps, are sent via mail and to your SAIC email address beginning in early February for early action students and after March 1 for non-early action students.

Meal Plan saic.edu/lifeatsaic/diningservices If you plan to live in one of our residence halls you will be required to have a meal plan. You will be able to use your declining dining dollar balance at one of SAIC’s three dining locations. Our dining facilities, run by Food for Thought, offer delicious and nutritious selections, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Utilizing organic, fair trade and local ingredients, as well as promoting sustainability, are important aspects of food service at SAIC. In addition, our residence hall rooms are equipped with either kitchenettes — including two-burner stoves, a microwave and full-sized refrigerator or full kitchens — for you to prepare meals and snacks.

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4 SECURE HOUSING

Once you receive your invitation: • Log in at saic-housing.artic.edu. • Enter your preference for building, room, bed type and lifestyle choices. • Sign your Fall 2021 housing contract electronically. • Pay your $550 housing deposit online. You may also send a check or money order to Residence Life, 36 S. Wabash Ave. suite 1203, Chicago, IL 60603. Please include your student ID in the memo line of the check or money order. • Once your contract and payment have been received, a housing confirmation email will be sent to YOUR SAIC EMAIL ADDRESS ONLY. • Room assignments and roommate contact information will be available in early August.

STEP

SECURE HOUSING saic.edu/housing & saic.edu/housingfaq

STEP

4 CONTINUED

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING SAIC is located in the heart of downtown Chicago, easily accessible from many of the city’s historic and diverse neighborhoods. The Residence Life office staff can serve as a resource to you as you seek off-campus housing. Many resources for off-campus living can be found in the “off-campus housing” tab of the housing website. There is neighborhood information, tips for apartment searching, a list of common abbreviations, and a booklet with many helpful resources. The School of the Art Institute of Chicago has partnered with Places4Students.com, a company that specializes in providing off-campus housing solutions for post-secondary students. Because the free listing database is provided exclusively for SAIC students, faculty, and staff, you will be asked to go through a simple registration process, and your password will be sent to your SAIC email account within seconds. Access Places4Students, plus other information, at saic.edu/offcampushousing.

Other services offered by Residence Life include: • Assistance in finding an SAIC roommate • Map of Chicago neighborhoods popular with SAIC students • Tips on managing an apartment search in Chicago • Resources on leasing and tenant responsibilities

Questions?

Contact Residence Life at 312.629.6870 or student_life@saic.edu

In order to register for classes, you must submit your $300 tuition/enrollment deposit. To make your deposit see Step 2.

REGISTERING FOR CLASSES: Schedule a registration appointment: Beginning April 1, contact the Admissions office between 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. (CT) at 800.232.7242 or 312.629.6100, to schedule a registration appointment. Registration will begin May 1, and appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis with earlier dates reserved for Early Action applicants. Phone registration: If you schedule a phone appointment, an admission counselor will call you at a phone number you designate to help select your courses. Appointments will last between 30–45 minutes.

Email Registration for International Transfer Students: After May 1, email Sioban Lombardi at slombardi@saic.edu, providing your name and student ID number, indicating you would like to register via email. An admission counselor will email you back and assist you in scheduling your courses.

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5 REGISTER FOR CLASSES

Virtual Registration: Virtual registration through Zoom or Google Hangouts can also be arranged. When scheduling your appointment or corresponding with your counselor, please let them know your preferences. Appointments will last between 30–45 minutes.

STEP

AP, CLEP or IB Credit and Scores: During your registration appointment, please make sure that you inform your counselor that you have AP, CLEP or IB scores that you will be submitting officially to the Admissions office. SAIC awards 3 credits for scores of 4–5 on ANY AP subject test. For IB, SAIC will award 6 credit hours for scores of 4–7 at higher level (HL) only. SAIC awards a combined maximum of 12 credit hours.

Academic Access Program (AAP) SAIC’s Academic Access Program is an academic enrichment program for freshmen and transfer students designed to strengthen academic skills prior to beginning our rigorous Liberal Arts degree requirements. Information regarding Academic Access requirements and placement will be provided to students prior to registering for classes.

English Courses for International Students (EIS)

Transferring Credit College-level equivalent courses for which a student has received a grade equivalent to “C” or better are eligible for transfer. These include early college courses taken at SAIC or other institutions. Transfer students seeking advanced studio placement within the departments of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects; and Visual Communication Design MUST respectively provide technical and conceptual examples of their work in order to waive prerequisite studio coursework specific to these departments. Please inform your counselor if you are currently enrolled in any courses or plan to enroll in courses this summer at your local college or university.

SUBMIT YOUR FINAL TRANSCRIPTS BY August 15 Send us your final, official transcript(s) by August 15. All admission decisions are subject to evaluation of final high school transcripts.

Send transcript(s) to: School of the Art Institute of Chicago Undergraduate Admissions 36 South Wabash, suite 1201 Chicago, IL 60603 OR Your counselor may upload your final transcripts through the Common Application up until July 1. OR Email to admiss@saic.edu

5 CONTINUED

International students with a TOEFL score below 96, an IELTS band score below 7.0, PTE Academic score below 65, or Duolingo score below 120 must register for EIS courses. International students who are required to take EIS courses will test for placement during orientation.

STEP

TO THINK ABOUT BEFORE YOU REGISTER:

saic.edu/ugpayment

PAYMENT INFORMATION Student Financial Services is dedicated to helping you through the process of financing your education at SAIC and has provided multiple ways to manage your payments, including payment plans, which will stretch your tuition payments over the course of the semester. • Electronic bills (eBills) are provided monthly in CASHNet if you have a balance due or if you have had account activity since the last monthly bill. They can be viewed online by students and Authorized Users if they have been set up in CASHNet by the student. • If not opted out, tuition and fee bills are also mailed at the beginning of each semester. Paper bills are mailed to the billing address if provided in SelfService. If a billing address has not been provided, paper bills are mailed to the permanent address. Students are encouraged to opt out of paper bills in SelfService to support SAIC’s Go Green initiative.

PAYMENT OPTIONS Cash, Check or Money Order (Made Payable in U.S. Currency): • Mail: SAIC’s Bursar’s Office, 37 S. Wabash, room 245, Chicago, IL 60603 • In-person: SAIC’s Bursar’s Office, Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Wire Transfer, Credit Card, ACH (Automated Check Handling) • Made online through CASHNet in Self-Service — All major credit cards are accepted. • To allow parents/guardians to make payments, set up payment plans, and see eBills, you will need to set up an Authorized User account for them in CASHNet. • A service fee is charged for credit card payments, but not for Wire Transfer or ACH payments. Tuition and Fee Payment Plan and Auto-Pay • Four payment semester plan available through CASHNet in Self-Service for fall and spring semesters • Three payment semester plan available for summer semesters • Payment plan enrollment fee — $50 per semester • Re-enroll in the payment plan and Auto-Pay each semester online through Self-Service

IMPORTANT DATES: • • • • •

July 1: Early July: Late July: August 15: September 1:

Loan applications and Entrance Counseling are due Fall 2021 charges and payment plans available online First fall 2021 bill mailed Tuition payment or payment arrangements due Waive Health Insurance (first day of classes)

Questions? Student Financial Services, 36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60603, 312.629.6600 (phone) 312.629.6601 (fax), saic.sfs@saic.edu (email), saic.edu/sfs (web), sfshelp.saic.edu (Q+A), saic.edu/sfslivechat

6 PAYMENT INFORMATION

• Payment in full or payment arrangements of any balance not covered by financial aid is required by August 15 for the fall semester, December 15 for the winter term, January 15 for the spring semester, and May 15 for the summer term in order to avoid late fees, restriction of access on campus, and prevention from future registration and release of academic transcripts.

STEP

PAYMENT INFORMATION

saic.edu/health

ACCEPT OR WAIVE HEALTH INSURANCE: Health insurance coverage is required for all full-time domestic students and is charged automatically to your student account. If you wish to accept SAIC’s coverage you need not do anything further. You may waive health insurance by doing the following: 1. Complete an online waiver form by the end of the first day of classes at saic.myahpcare.com/waiver; AND 2. Provide proof that your coverage meets SAIC’s minimum standards by uploading a copy of both sides of your insurance card; AND 3. Allow SAIC’s designee to verify your coverage.

Questions?

SAIC_Studentinsurance@saic.edu

IMMUNIZATION RECORDS: Illinois State law requires proof of immunization for all college students enrolled for six or more credits per semester. Please see saic.edu/health for immunization requirement details and record submission instructions. Proof of immunization is due by July 1. Students who are noncompliant will not be permitted to register for the next term.

Questions? Contact the SAIC Health Services Office at 312.499.4288 or healthservices@saic.edu.

7 HEALTH INSURANCE AND IMMUNIZATION

Please note: If you are a full-time domestic student and then drop to part-time before the end of the add/drop period, the health insurance charge will automatically be removed from your account and health insurance coverage will not be provided. Health insurance coverage can be reinstated if you request health insurance online at saic.myahpcare.com.

STEP

HEALTH INSURANCE AND IMMUNIZATION

saic.edu/orientation

New Student Orientation: August 2021 Orientation programming is a perfect way to introduce you to all the amazing things at SAIC and beyond. The following is just a small sampling of the types of things you will be doing: • • • •

Meeting with current SAIC students Attending a Campus Resource Fair Participating in activities with your Orientation Leader Meeting with your faculty

Since students are required to attend this event, RSVPs are not required. A $200 orientation fee will be added to your student account.

Parent and Guest Orientation: We encourage your parents or guests to join us for orientation, and we have created special programming for them including: • P rograms designed to highlight the history and future of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and provide a true sense of the community you will be joining. • A catered continental breakfast and lunch. • A Campus Resource and Vendor Fair where students, parents and guests can meet staff members from a variety of offices and get all of their last minute questions answered. • T he opportunity to connect with other parents and students and much, much more!

International Parent and Guest Orientation: August 2021 All Parent and Guest Orientation: August 2021

Parents and guests are not charged a fee for orientation, though RSVPs are required. Sign up at saic.edu/orientation

Questions?

Contact Campus Life at 312.629.6880 or orientation@saic.edu.

8 ATTEND ORIENTATION

In order to have all the information you need to transition into the SAIC community you are required to attend orientation. You will be assigned an orientation leader — a current SAIC student — and will spend your first few days with a small group of your fellow new students, giving you the opportunity to immediately make friends and learn about your peers while you learn about SAIC.

STEP

ATTEND ORIENTATION

Laptop Requirement: saic.edu/laptop All incoming undergraduate students, with the exception of second-degree students, are required to own a laptop prior to the first day of classes. Detailed information can be located at saic.edu/laptop.

QUESTIONS? Contact ARTICard/ U-Pass office at 312.629.9362 or articard@saic.edu.

Ventra™ U-Pass

The U-Pass entitlement, loaded onto a Ventra U-Pass card, allows full-time students saic.edu/articard unlimited use of CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) bus and rail The ARTICard is SAIC’s transportation each fall, spring, mandatory identification card winter and summer term. The which provides access to Ventra U-Pass card can be used facilities, equipment, and library as a full fare card whenever books, as well as providing debit the U-Pass entitlement is not card capabilities on campus and active. The cost of the U-Pass at select off-campus sites. It can entitlement is $155* per fall be used to make copies, print and spring semester, a savings projects, do laundry, purchase of over $200 when compared books and supplies, and buy with regular CTA fares. A $35* food. There is no membership U-Pass fee will be charged to fee, service charge or minimum full-time students during the balance. The balance carries winter session. A $115* U-Pass over from semester to semester, fee will be charged to full-time year to year until the account is students during the summer closed. session.

SAIC ARTICard (ID Card):

ARTICards are available for pick up by appointment from the ARTICard office. In order to avoid long wait times, students are encouraged to send in their photos electronically at least one week before their appointment. Visit saic.edu/articard for more details. Deposits to your ARTICard can be made by cash or check

This mandatory fee is automatically charged to all full-time students’ tuition and fee accounts each semester. A one-time $5 fee, which covers the cost of the card, will also be charged to each full-time student’s account for the initial issuance of the Ventra U-Pass card. The Ventra U-Pass is distributed during the first week of school and should be kept for subsequent semesters. Incoming

transfer students who hold a Ventra U-Pass card from their previous school can contact the ARTICard office to have their card information transferred to SAIC. QUESTIONS? Contact the ARTICard/U-Pass office at 312.629.9362 or articard@saic.edu. * Price is subject to change.

Text Books The DePaul University/Barnes & Noble College Bookstore, located at the corner of Jackson Blvd. and State St. (1 East Jackson Boulevard), is SAIC’s designated primary provider for textbooks and course packet services. The store provides a space in the textbook area of the lower level for all SAIC class book titles and course packets (all SAIC books and course packets are found under the department “SAIC” and are then organized alphabetically by SAIC department). The store accepts ARTICard for purchases, and also buys and sells used textbooks. You can access SAIC class book lists at depaul-loop.bncollege. com. From the top tab, choose “Textbooks,” select “DePaul University Loop Campus & SAIC” as your campus. The upcoming term for SAIC will be displayed- enter the requested course information to find materials for your course. Please note: Many courses may not have books or supplies listed until the beginning of the semester.

9 LAPTOP, ARTICARD, U-PASS & TEXT BOOKS

QUESTIONS? For questions regarding software and hardware, contact 312.345.3738, option 1 or laptop@saic.edu.

at the ARTICard Office, via mail by check or money order (ARTICard Office, 37 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL 60603), or online with a credit card or electronic check (see instructions for depositing online at saic.edu/articard). Make checks payable to SAIC.

STEP

LAPTOP, ARTICARD, U-PASS & TEXT BOOKS