American Film Institute Conservatory

What is the cost of studying for a year at American Film Institute Conservatory?

Attending the AFI Conservatory requires budgeting beyond tuition. For 2024-25, the reported full-time graduate charges were the same for in-state and out-of-state students:

• Graduate tuition: $66,469 for the academic year.
• Required graduate fees: $4,018 for the academic year.
• Tuition and required fees combined: $70,487 for the academic year.

That $70,487 subtotal is not a complete cost of attendance. A Fellow also needs to account for Los Angeles housing, food, transportation, books, supplies and any production-related expenses not included in the published charges. Applicants should use the current admission year's tuition schedule and cost-of-attendance budget when making a financing plan, rather than treating 2024-25 charges as a future price quote.

Scholarships, eligible military education benefits and federal graduate loans may change what an individual pays out of pocket or borrows; loans still have to be repaid. Graduate applicants can ask the financial aid office which institutional scholarship applications are required and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, if seeking federal aid. Federal Pell Grants generally serve eligible undergraduates and should not be assumed to finance this MFA. The 2024-25 reported average graduate military education benefit was $27,120 among the relevant beneficiaries, not a payment available to every Fellow.

What are the work-study opportunities at American Film Institute Conservatory?

Paid work and filmmaking experience are separate considerations at the AFI Conservatory. A production exercise can build a portfolio and professional relationships without being a paid job, while an off-campus film assignment may not satisfy any academic requirement.

Federal Work-Study, when offered to an eligible student, is earned through an approved job; it is not a grant paid in full at the start of a term and does not guarantee a position. Applicants who need employment income should ask the financial aid office whether graduate Fellows can receive Work-Study, how jobs are posted and how many hours are realistic alongside production commitments. Ordinary part-time employment does not require a Work-Study award, but it likewise needs to fit the program's schedule.

For career development, AFI's alumni connections and Conservatory-related screenings can create opportunities to meet other filmmakers. Applicants seeking specific services - such as individual career advising, job postings or introductions to employers - should distinguish those offerings from verified employment outcomes and check what is available to current Fellows.