Ohio residents: Apply to CIA and qualify for the Creative Spark Scholarship, making art and design education more accessible!
SPARK Your Creativity
Creative Spark Scholarship
How do I know if I’m eligible?
You qualify for consideration for the Creative Spark Scholarship if you meet the following initial requirements:
- You must be classified as a resident of the state of Ohio.
- You must agree to live in on-campus housing for CIA’s mandatory residency requirement.
- You must enroll as a full-time student starting in Spring 2027 or Fall 2027.
- You must be a new, first-time freshman or transfer student applying to CIA.
- You must submit your initial application by Early Action (Dec. 1) and have all required materials submitted to complete the application by Jan. 1. (See our application requirements.)
- You must submit your FAFSA by Jan. 1.
Igniting Creative Futures
Frequently Asked Questions
Completing your CIA application (directly or via Common App) and filing your FAFSA by the listed deadlines serves as your application to be considered for the Creative Spark Scholarship.
When you apply to CIA, we review your academic record and your portfolio pieces as part of the admissions process. The Creative Spark Scholarship will be awarded to Ohio applicants based on academic and artistic merit.
This scholarship is designed to provide Ohio students with access to a private college of art + design education at a comparable cost to a traditional public college or university. Based on the 2026-2027 tuition costs throughout the state, CIA defines the cost of in-state, public tuition to be approximately $15,000 for the 2027-2028 academic year. Students who receive the Creative Spark Scholarship will pay $15,000 for tuition; housing costs and other fees are not included in the $15,000. Tuition increases will apply.
No, there is no income level cap to receive the Creative Spark Scholarship.
If you are awarded the Creative Spark Scholarship, you are not eligible for other institutional aid, including CIA’s Visit Scholarship for students who visit campus. You may still earn all state + federal financial aid for which you are eligible. If you are not awarded the Creative Spark Scholarship, you are likely to be eligible for other institutional aid.
No. This scholarship is designed to serve the most gifted Ohio students who are passionate about pursuing an education and careers in art + design. Students who show academic and artistic excellence as evidenced by the application review process will be awarded the Creative Spark Scholarship. The number of recipients will vary.
You may receive the Creative Spark Scholarship for up to 4 years of study at CIA. To maintain eligibility, you must:
- Maintain full-time enrollment each semester for which the scholarship is awarded.
- Maintain housing eligibility by remaining in on-campus housing for the mandatory length of time.
- Maintain enrollment eligibility and meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements each year.
- File the FAFSA by Jan. 1 each year.