Tuition and Financial Aid
College can be more affordable than you think.
The best way to start planning for your education is to see if you are eligible for grants, or scholarship aid–free money that immediately decreases your out-of-pocket expenses.
Fill out the FAFSA – the application for federal student aid – to see if you’re eligible for additional financial assistance that can help offset your educational costs. This is an important step even if you think you might not be eligible and can open up many opportunities for support.
Connect with our Financial Aid TeamDirect personal support is at the core of the SFI experience and you don’t have to wait until you are in class. Just call or email us with any questions you or your family have and we’ll help you with every part of the process.
Estimate your CostsUse the Net Price Calculator to help estimate what’s left to pay after adding up your grants and other support.
Pay Your Tuition
The information on the way to pay your tuition is available here.
Explore Seattle Film Institute Tuition
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film
Option A shows tuition for students who enroll at SFI for the entire 180 credit program.
Option B shows tuition for students who are enrolling in 90 credits. This option is for transfer students with an Associate of Arts degree or its equivalent or for students who are eligible for the professional Certificate in Film. Option C shows tuition for students who enroll in an individualized course of study.
A. Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Film—180 credits
Program Length: 30 months; 10 quarters
Cost per credit & program credits: $495.00 per credit; 180 credits
Total Program Tuition: $89,100.00 (180 credits @ $495.00 per credit)
Cost per quarter: $8,910.00*
*Quarterly (cohort) tuition is calculated by dividing the total cost of the program by the 10 quarters of attendance.
B. Degree Completion for Transfer Students and professional Certificate in Film—90 credits
Program Dates & Length: 18 months; 6 quarters
Cost per credit & program credits: $495.00 per credit; 90 Credits
Total Program Tuition: $44,550.00 (90 credits @ $495.00 per credit)
Cost per quarter: $7,425.00*
*Quarterly (cohort) tuition is calculated by dividing the total cost of the program by the 6 quarters of attendance.
C. Individualized Course of Study: $495.00 per credit
Tuition includes access to required equipment for scheduled assignments.
Estimated educational expenses not included in tuition:
laptop computer, books, and related educational materials. $1,200.00
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Filmmaking and Producing
Program Length: 30 Months; 8 quarters
Cost per credit & program credits: $680.00 per credit; 100 credits
Total Program Tuition: $68,000.00
Cost per quarter: $8,500.00*
*Quarterly (cohort) tuition is calculated by dividing the total cost of the program by the 8 quarters of attendance.
Individualized Course of Study: $680.00 per credit
Tuition includes access to required equipment for scheduled assignments.
Estimated educational expenses not included in tuition:
laptop computer, books, and related educational materials. $1,200.00
Master of Music (MM) in Film Composition
Program Dates & Length: September 14, 2020-July 16, 2021; 10 Months; 4 quarters
Cost per credit & program credits: $715.00 per credit; 56 credits
Total Program Tuition: $40,040.00
Cost per quarter: $10,010.00*
*Quarterly (cohort) tuition is calculated by dividing the total cost of the program by the 4 quarters of attendance.
Individualized Course of Study: $715.00 per credit
Tuition includes access to required equipment for scheduled assignments.
Estimated educational expenses not included in tuition: books,
and related educational materials. $600.00
Master of Arts (MA) in Producing for Film
Program Length: 12 Months; 4 quarters
Cost per credit & program credit $680.00 per credit; 60 credits
Total Program Tuition: $40,800.00
Cost per quarter: $10,200.00*
*Quarterly (cohort) tuition is calculated by dividing the total cost of the program by the 4 quarters of attendance.
Individualized Course of Study: $680.00 per credit
Tuition includes access to required equipment for scheduled assignments.
Estimated educational expenses not included in tuition:
laptop computer, books, and related educational materials. $1,200.00
Seattle film Institute aims to keep tuition and related costs accessible with our accelerated programs so you can pursue your degree, your goals, and your passion.
Applying for Financial Aid
Seattle Film Institute encourages students to file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid programs. Every student could benefit from financial assistance so you should fill out this free application to determine eligibility for financial aid programs.
Who should apply for financial aid?
Every student who would like financial assistance with college costs. Do not assume you are not eligible for financial aid. Review the information below and apply for financial aid today!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid
SFI’s School Code is 042580
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) asks for basic information to determine your eligibility for all the financial aid programs sponsored by the Federal Government. The FAFSA is available on October 1st and must be completed annually so SFI can determine your renewed eligibility for Financial Aid. The quickest and most efficient way to file the FAFSA is online.
To be eligible for federal financial aid, you must meet the requirements for each of the below:
- Enroll as a degree-seeking student
- Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress
- Not be in default on a federal educational loan
- Not owe a refund on a federal educational grant or loan
- Register with Selective Service (if you are a male born on or after January 1, 1960, over 18 years of age and not currently in the armed forces)
- Possess a high school diploma or equivalent
Determine if you need to include your parent’s information if you are applying for financial aid
For financial aid purposes, the federal government must determine if you are required to include your parent’s information when you apply for financial aid. The Department of Education will determine your dependency based upon responses entered on your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you are considered a dependent student, you will be required to enter your parent(s) information on the FAFSA. If you are considered an independent student, you will be required to enter your information on your FAFSA and information for your spouse, if applicable.
Federal Student Aid ID
If you are filing the online FAFSA, you can sign the form electronically by using your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID. Students and parents who have not previously applied for a FSA ID are able to apply for one within the FAFSA application.
If you filed a FAFSA in a previous year and have forgotten your FSA ID, you can request a duplicate on the website.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
To complete your FAFSA online, visit: the FAFSA website. SFI’s school code is 042580.
After completing your FAFSA, print the FAFSA Confirmation Page for your records. If you have already completed a FAFSA for another school, click on “Make a Correction to a Processed FAFSA” and add SFI’s school code – 042580.
You will need your tax information from two years prior to fill out the current FAFSA—the FAFSA will indicate the correct tax year you need to report. By using the IRS Data Retrieval Tool in the FAFSA, the Department of Education makes the process easier than ever to submit this information.
If your or your family’s financial circumstances have changed, such as loss of a job or decreased income, you may contact us to provide additional information and to request that your financial aid eligibility is adjusted for these circumstances. If the FAFSA requires you to provide parent information that you are not able to provide, then you may contact us to request an Appeal form to apply for financial aid without parent information. Additional documentation will be required, and you will be notified of the decision about your Appeal as soon as possible within 60 days of submitting all required documentation.
The Student Aid Report (SAR)
Your Student Aid Report summarizes the information you submitted when you filed the FAFSA and indicates your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If you have filed the FAFSA electronically, you will receive an e-mail with a secure link for online access to your Student Aid Report. After receiving your Student Aid Report check it for errors. The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) listed on your Student Aid Report will determine the amount of financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
Submit additional documents, if needed, to complete your Application for Financial Aid
During the Financial Aid Process, there are many times when additional information may be required to complete an application for Federal Student Aid. When SFI receives your FAFSA information, we will review it and contact you for any additional information that we may need to review. Please respond promptly to any request from SFI for additional documentation.
The U.S. Department of Education selects approximately 1/3 of all financial aid applicants for verification. SFI is required by the Department of Education to request certain documents that ensure the accuracy of selected students FAFSA.
If your account is missing information or was selected for verification, SFI will send an e-mail to you outlining missing information/requirements that may be preventing financial aid from being awarded or disbursed. Please respond in a timely manner to allow for the awarding and release of any financial aid that you may be eligible to receive. Financial aid awards will not be created until this process is complete.
Financial Aid Tools Connect with our Financial Aid Team
Find more information on Seattle Film Institute financial aid and program costs using our financial tools and resources, including a Net Price Calculator to help you estimate the total cost of your degree specific to your situation.
Financial Aid Office
SFI’s Financial Aid Office is the place to go for questions about applying for financial aid – or any of the financial aspects of attending SFI. Ted Haase, our director of financial aid, will help you with every step so you can get going on your education. can get on your way to pursuing your education with as little hassle as possible.
To contact the financial aid office, call 206-568-4387 or email ted@sfi.edu. Office hours are 9am – 3pm Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Pacific Time).
Cost Calculator Estimate you costs
Use our Net Price Calculator to see how affordable a degree at SFI really is.
Other Financial Resources
Federal Student Loan Information
Here are more helpful tools and resources related to financial aid:
General Financial Aid Information
The Department of Education administers Student Financial Assistance Programs – the largest source of student aid in America, providing over $40 billion a year in grants, loans, and work-study assistance. Here you’ll find help for every stage of the financial aid process, whether you’re in school or out of school.
The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid – A reputable and respected resource in the industry, FinAid publishes this comprehensive guide to Financial aid
Glossary of Financial Aid Terms – A good resource for common terms used in regards to Financial Aid
Educational Resources for Washington State
Washington College Grant: Provides eligible students financial assistance for tuition, books, and fees
College Bound Scholarship: Provides financial assistance to low-income students who dream of a college education
Outside Scholarships
College Scholarships is useful tool information about private external scholarship sources for funding your education. Although we have determined that this Web site may benefit you, it is not controlled by or associated with Seattle Film Institute in any way. Please be a wise consumer in making decisions about financial aid. Generally students should never pay anyone any money to search for Financial Aid. There are several highly qualified free sources of financial aid help and free scholarship search services available to all.
Tax Credits for Education
The following resources are available for students and their families who may be eligible for educational tax benefits. Click on the links below for more information:
Please note: In accordance with IRS regulations Seattle Film Institute does not provide personal tax advice. To determine your eligibility for a higher education tax credit, a student loan interest deduction or a deduction for qualified education expenses, please contact a personal tax advisor or the IRS.
Financial Aid Forms
To serve students and families in a more convenient and expeditious way, the SFI Financial Aid Office has made the following forms available.