Image courtesy Ringling College.

It’s true: arguably the most daunting prospect of a college education can be the expense. No matter what kind of education you want to pursue or career you work toward, the first question will almost always be, “How can I afford this?”

I have always firmly believed that merit and desire—not wealth—should be the primary determinants of where and even if you go to school. And I also believe that even the most prestigious arts education institutions, including Ringling College of Art and Design, should not be exempt from this principle. Therefore, our aim at Ringling College is to be leaders in accessibility, financial accessibility being no exception. Indeed, it’s the only way we can ensure that our education is available to the right people who can do the most good with that experience.

The cost of higher education is not an issue that can solely be written off with promises of future earnings potential or faith in political solutions that have been slow to materialize. At Ringling College, we understand that our current and future students need financial assistance now.

College costs go well beyond tuition. They include room and board, books and supplies, as well as transportation and, yes even, recreation. Financial accessibility must account for the many ways different students and their families are able to allocate their available resources to cover these needs. Because of these many factors, there is no one-size-fits-all fix. 

To help support our students and their diverse needs, Ringling College offers a comprehensive selection of financial aid and scholarship opportunities, as well as facilitated access to state and federal aid programs (like Florida’s EASE Grant and Bright Futures, or federal PELL Grants and debt relief), third-party grants and scholarships, loans and tuition payment plans. We are also fortunate to be able to offer merit-based scholarships, which are often funded by our generous donors at Ringling College.

No less important are our work-study programs, facilitated through Ringling’s Office of Human Resources. These paid positions offer meaningful employment in several art and design fields and other areas in ways that are conducive to the student’s academic schedule and obligations. These student employment opportunities combine financial compensation with practical, on-the-job learning, allowing students to support themselves while honing their skills and establishing real, demonstrable value for future prospective employers.

Of course, there is never enough money to meet every student's needs. But there are also many sources of funding available for today’s college students. The key is in knowing how to find them. 

Of course, we understand that the task alone of negotiating college assistance programs can be daunting enough to frustrate and discourage. At the center of our financial services is Ringling’s Office of Financial Aid (OFA). Here, every student who needs help can be paired with a financial aid professional who is thoroughly familiar with the ins and outs of college costs and assistance programs, both within our institution and the wider Sarasota community, as well as at the state and national levels.

Beginning with a fully transparent explanation of fees, Ringling OFA experts guide individuals through a highly personalized process, from elucidating the wide variety of options and helping students select programs that suit their needs as well as their strengths, through charting timelines, navigating applications, encouraging follow-up with the appropriate contacts, and clarifying the ways various types of funds are allocated. In fact, this work needs to begin as soon as possible, even before the student has begun their college career so that by the time the semester starts, their financial stresses can be properly resolved.

Even as we continuously strive to provide the best art and design education, we must also do our best to ensure that this education is not limited only to a small, privileged portion of society. On top of the many compensatory opportunities available to Ringling College students, dedicated financial guidance makes a huge difference in alleviating fears and empowering our community, turning what could be an overwhelming prospect into a manageable and even fulfilling accomplishment. Through these ongoing financial aid efforts, I am reassured that aspiring artists and designers, regardless of financial background, have access to the world-class education they deserve.

Dr. Larry Thompson is President of Ringling College of Art & Design.

Image courtesy Ringling College.