You may direct questions to:
Renée Bohus
Student Finance Director
The French Pastry School
312.726.2419 ext. 202
financialoptions@frenchpastryschool.com

You may also direct questions about financial aid to:
Matilda Kriemelmeyer
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Kennedy-King College
312-726-2419 ext. 215
mkriemelmeyer@ccc.edu

Total Program/Course Costs include: Tuition, books and course materials, three full uniforms, complete pastry tool kit, all premium ingredients, and use of state-of-the-art equipment. There are no additional fees upon registration confirmation. The application or program/course petition fee is applied toward the total tuition payment. Admissions are conducted on a rolling basis, and classes fill quickly, so it is in your best interest to apply early to ensure your space in the desired session.

The following financial options may be available to eligible students of The French Pastry School enrolled in either L'Art de la Patisserie or L'Art du Gateau full-time certificate programs.  L'Art de la Boulangerie course is not eligible:

Federal Programs

FAFSA - stands for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form is used to determine the amount of money a family is expected to contribute to the price of attending a postsecondary institution. The results of the FAFSA are used in determining student grants, and Stafford loan amounts. The FAFSA application is critical because it is used for Federal Pell Grants as well as Stafford Loans.  Visit www.studentaid.ed.gov for more information. To begin this process you will need to complete a FAFSA form (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Our school code is 001654.

Federal Pell Grant - An undergraduate federal grant (free money). The U.S. Department of Education determines eligibility. The Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Formula is the standard criteria used in determining financial need. If you already have a bachelors degree, you do not qualify, for a Pell Grant. To see if you qualify please complete the FAFSA Application.

Federal Stafford Loans - There are two types of Stafford loans. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loan - Awarded on the basis of financial need. The federal government pays the interest on the loan until you begin repayment.  Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan - Awarded without regard to financial need. Interest will accrue from the time the loan is disbursed until it is paid in full unless the student chooses to make the interest payments while in school. Visit www.studentloans.gov for application procedures and additional information.

Download the Step-by-Step Stafford Loan Instructions.

Federal Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) - Available to parents of a dependent, (for dependency status visit www.fafsa.ed.gov/before015.htm) and requires an additional application. Parents can borrow what your Pell Grant and other financial aid or student loans don't cover. This is a credit-based loan. Repayment generally begins within 60 days of final disbursement. If your parents do not qualify for a PLUS Loan, you may be able to apply for an additional unsubsidized Stafford Loan. Check with the financial aid office to determine if you are eligible. For application procedures and additional information contact our office.

Military & Veteran Benefits - Pays tuition for undergraduate or graduate study for veterans at public colleges. Visit www.ccc.edu/services/pages/military-and-veteran-educational-benefits.aspx for additional information.

Private Loan for Education

Private Education Loans, also known as Alternative Education Loans (private loans from banks and other lenders which are not federal aid programs), help bridge the gap between the actual cost of your education and the limited amount the government allows you to borrow in its programs. Private loans are offered by private lenders and there are no federal forms to complete. Eligibility for private student loans often depends on your credit score and do not have the same interest rates, deferments and benefits of federal loans. Federal student loans are almost always less expensive to repay than private loans.   Student loans are an investment in your education, and you want to make sure your loan debt will not be overwhelming when you graduate. Student loan payments are a long-term commitment. Be a wise borrower: only borrow what you absolutely need.

Please contact us if you need assistance at 312.726.2419. 

Scholarships

Scholarships are a form of financial assistance that does not require repayment or employment and is usually made to students who demonstrate or show potential for distinction, usually in academic performance.

American Institute of Wine and Food - Contact them for additional details at www.aiwf.org.

American Culinary Federation – The ACF, along with the American Academy of Chefs offers scholarships for culinary college students through a donation from The Charlie Trotter Culinary Education Foundation. Applications are due by May 1. For more information, please call the ACF Education Department at 800.624.9458 or visit this site.

For the Love of Chocolate Foundation - For the Love of Chocolate Foundation provides scholarships for qualified students in the specialized training of the pastry arts. The foundation awards scholarships to full-time programs taught by The French Pastry School for the City Colleges of Chicago. Please visit www.fortheloveofchocolatefoundation.org for more details.

Illinois Restaurant Association - Awards scholarships to students seeking post secondary education and careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry. www.illinoisrestaurants.org

International Cake Exploration Society - Promotes the art of cake decorating by awarding scholarships to applicants deemed most likely to develop and promote the art form. Please see www.ices.org for additional information.

International Dairy. Deli. Bakery Association - Offers awards to high school seniors and current or returning vocational, technical or college students. Awards range from $250 to $1000 per semester. www.Iddba.com

International Food Services Executives Association - Offers scholarships to students attending food service related institutions. For additional information contact them at www.ifsea.org.

James Beard Foundation - The foundation offers a number of scholarships. Please contact them for details on www.jamesbeard.org or call 800-36-BEARD.

Les Dames d’Escoffier-Chicago- Educates and mentors women in the culinary professions. For additional information contact them at http://lesdameschicago.org/.

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation - Assists qualified undergraduates in restaurant and food service post-secondary programs. You can make contact with them at www.nraef.org.

Robert W. Hiller Scholarship – This is a national award through the Wisconsin Bakers Association for students studying baking and pastry arts. The WBA also has the WBA Scholarship available to students from Wisconsin.For more information contact the WBA Member Services Center at (800) 542-2688 or visit www.wibakers.com.

Women Chefs and Restaurateurs - You must be a member to apply. Please see www.womenchefs.org for more details.

Additional Resource - www.fastweb.com.

Please contact us if you need any additional assistance at 312.726.2419. We are happy to help you.