The French Culinary Institute

Federal Financial Aid Programs

The International Culinary Center is a government-sanctioned school for participation in Title IV financial aid programs. At this time, funds from these programs may be applied toward Classic Culinary Arts and Classic Pastry Arts programs.

In order to apply for the federal programs listed on this page, you'll need to submit a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

Pell Grant

If you haven't yet earned a bachelor's degree, you may be eligible to receive a Pell Grant of up to $3,700. These grants are awarded to students who display financial need as determined by the U.S. Department of Education. Unlike loans, Pell Grants do not need to be repaid. Learn more

Direct Stafford Loans

Stafford Loans are fixed-rate low interest loans of up to $6,333 available to students attending accredited schools at least half time. Loans may be unsubsidized or subsidized (for subsidized loans, the government pays the interest on the loan while you attend school), with 10-year repayment periods beginning six months after graduation. The current interest rates are 6.8% for subsidized loans and 6.8% for unsubsidized loans (1% origination fee). Learn more

Parent Loans

Designed for parents of dependent students, the Federal PLUS Loan (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) is an affordable, low-interest loan without income or asset requirements. With a fixed interest rate of 7.9% (4% origination fee), PLUS loans feature flexible repayment options. Parents can borrow their child's total cost of education (minus other financial aid awarded to the student) to cover tuition, books, food, housing, transportation, and other expenses. Learn more

Get Started: Submit Your FAFSA

Applying for federal financial aid begins with the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Once you've completed this step, you'll find out which federal programs you're eligible to apply for.

Step 1: Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to submit your FAFSA online using the school code: 025754.

Step 2: Apply for a PIN. Once your PIN is confirmed, you'll be able to log into your account and "sign" your FAFSA electronically, which can help speed processing time.

Step 3: After your FAFSA has been submitted, an Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR, also known as the Student Aid Report) will be generated. Your ISIR summarizes the information you provided on your report and tells you your Expected Family Contribution (EFC), the figure that will be used to determine whether you qualify for federal aid.

Note: If your ISIR is selected for verification, you will also need to submit your most recent federal income tax return and a verification worksheet.

Step 4: Let your financial aid advisor know you've completed these steps, then submit the following items to The International Culinary Center:


Email or fax these documents directly to your adviser, or you can send them by mail to:

New York Campus
The International Culinary Center | Office of Financial Aid | 462 Broadway, 4th Floor | New York, NY 10013

California Campus

The International Culinary Center | Office of Financial Aid | 700 West Hamilton Avenue | Campbell, CA 95008