Pre-College Art Experience

The Pre-College Art Experience (PCAE) is a dual-scholarship program in which students can earn scholarship dollars by taking no-tuition pre-college classes at the Academy.

Current high school students can take art and design courses at Academy of Art through an Academy-funded scholarship that covers application fees and tuition costs. In addition, students who pass their PCAE classes earn scholarship dollars towards future undergraduate studies at the Academy. It is a great way to get a head start on your university education, build your professional portfolio, and explore a variety of art and design fields. Kick start your future—apply to the PCAE today.

About Pre-College

High school students can get a taste of what it’s like being a student at the Academy of Art University. Learn more about the Summer PCAE program.

Here's How it Works

As part of the program, you will:

Get to take art and design classes at no tuition charge
Earn up to a maximum of $4,000 towards your undergraduate studies at Academy of Art University
Build a solid pre-professional portfolio of your work to take into your college career
Discover career opportunities in various fields of art and design before enrolling as an undergraduate student

Award Information

Pre-College Art Experience classes are graded on a PASS/FAIL basis, rather than a letter grade basis
For every one class students PASS, they earn $1,000 toward undergraduate studies at Academy of Art University
The scholarship will be disbursed across the first year following successful completion of the student’s first semester. It will disburse at up to $250 per class during Fall and Spring, with the remaining amount to be disbursed during the following Summer term
Student may use the PCAE scholarship on top of other grants or scholarships that may be awarded up to cost of attendance
The PCAE scholarship only applies to undergraduate courses taken at Academy of Art University

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Student must have taken and received a PASS in a PCAE class
Student must be enrolled in one of the Academy’s undergraduate programs
Student must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or greater and remain continuously enrolled
Academy of Art University will retroactively approve any student who has previously participated in PCAE but has not yet attended Academy of Art University as an undergraduate student

How to Apply for PCAE

PCAE classes may be taken on-site or online. To register for a PCAE class, students must be currently enrolled in high school
While international high school students cannot take onsite PCAE classes, they can participate in the Academy’s online PCAE courses
To attend on-site PCAE classes, high school students must be at least 15 years old
Campus housing is offered to PCAE students only in the Summer program. PCAE students staying on-campus must take three on-site classes

Interested? You can view our courses or apply here!

Available Programs

Spring Semester

Summer Semester

Fall Semester

Student Work

Supawich Weesapen

Deanne Fuentez

Maggie Harte

Learn Online

Since 2002, we have helped thousands of online art students from all over the world realize their professional and creative ambitions. Our revolutionary online courses provide the same rigorous education that we offer on campus with greater flexibility. Study on your own time, at your own pace. Take full or part-time classes. Let nothing stand in your way of pursuing your creative goals.