Dear Chairwoman, 

I am excited about attending Pratt Institute and sharpening my art skills, yet I am in a financial quandary concerning tuition costs.  I have been offered loans (subsidized and unsubsidized) to offset expenses,  but I am deeply troubled by the debt I will incur by accepting these loans.  I have spoken with the Financial Aid Office who suggested that I contact you personally. 

To pay for my years at Pratt, I will have to borrow the maximum amount, totaling $83,780.00**.  I have calculated that my payment schedule after graduation will be $987.38 per month, requiring a yearly salary of $118,485.00.  It is my goal to teach art at the post-secondary level in order to support myself as a working artist. However, my research reveals that the median income for teachers at this level is only $58, 820.00, quite a bit less than the required $118,485.00. 

If possible, could you please help me in this matter and reconsideration of my situation?  If there were any available scholarships, grants, fellowships, or work/study opportunities, I would be most grateful to receive that assistance. 

I look forward to meeting you in the fall and adding value to Pratt Institute while expanding my knowledge and talents. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. 

Very truly yours, Nikki Nolan

**I was wrong it was more expensive than this

 

Subject: Re: Tuition inquiry

Nikki,

I understand your financial problem completely. I just wish that there was more I could do to help you. There are graduate assistantships around campus. Some are in our department some in areas like the library or the Drawing Resource Center. We also have graduate assistants who work in our office, printmaking, sculpture, etc depending on your skills. This only helps you to $1,200 to $1,800 a semester. All of our merit scholarships have already been voted on by the faculty committee and at this time there is not any more money to give. However, if the students who did receive money decline we will look at the accepted students again. Most students do not get scholarships as we have a lot of students and very little money. There is also work/study available but there is a limit to what you can earn a semester total. I can get you that number tomorrow.

Only you can decide on the financial investment is worth it to you. I think that we have a great program but I still remember the ten years it took me to pay off my loans and I would never try to encourage students to take on debt. It was worth it for me and being in NYC provided me with a lot of opportunities. You can pay your deposit and defer for a year if you wish. The outside work standbys are still popular- bartending, waiting tables, building web sites, childcare, but that is not for everyone.

We have had a couple of great things happen last week- Charlotte Meyer and Kris Scheifele both won Joan Mitchell, graduating MFA Fellowships (usually $25,000- this year a bit less), we have a  Dedealus winner last year ($10,000) and Kristen Monk got a full scholarship to Anderson Ranch Residency for this summer. One student and one recent alum are going to Skowhegan. These are the things that end up supporting job applications in the end.

Let me know if there is more I can tell you about. I wish that there was some solid good news to give you but we are not a program with 12 students who are mostly funded.

Best,

[Name redacted]