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2025-26 Tuition

For the Academic Year May 2024–April 2025

Annual Tuition: $54,000

      Tuition is paid for 3 years, for the Course of Study.

Dissertation Preparation Fee: $2800 per semester.

      Most dissertations require 4–6 semesters of Dissertation Preparation.

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Estimated Annual Costs

Travel $2370

Meals $1005

Books $884

Total $4,259

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Travel, Food & Lodging

Annual Tuition includes most residency costs. IDSVA provides room and board during the two-week  residency at Spannocchia Castle, and covers lodging costs at all other residency locations. IDSVA also covers the cost of travel during a residency period, as for example, from Rome to Spannocchia, and for all museum admissions. Students are responsible for travel cost to and from residency locations, as for example, between their home and Italy, and between their home and Mexico City. In all locations except for Spannocchia Castle, students are responsible for most of their own meals. There are no other fees.

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Federal Student Loans at IDSVA

To apply for financial aid, applicants should complete the FAFSA , and enter the IDSVA school code: G41888.

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Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans

Unsubsidized Loans are available to all graduate students. Students can receive up to $20,284 per year to cover tuition and costs.

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Federal Direct Graduate

Direct PLUS Loans are also available up to the cost of attendance.

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Loan Deferment

All current and prior federal student loans can be deferred while students are enrolled at least half-time.

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Loan Repayment

There is a new income-driven repayment plan called SAVE, which is offering more generous terms than prior plans. An income-driven repayment plan sets a monthly payment at an amount that is intended to be affordable based on your income and family size. Graduates with lower income can qualify for $0 monthly payments. The SAVE plan does not accrue interest while you are in repayment. Read more details in this Hyperallergic article.

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Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program after 10 years of payment.  

The SAVE plan will grant loan forgiveness on any balance after 25 years.

Scholarships & Tuition

How can I pay for IDSVA?

We offer generous scholarships, and our low-residency format allows IDSVA students to keep their job while working on the degree. IDSVA students also qualify for Federally Guaranteed Student Loans that can help with tuition and the cost of living. When you graduate from IDSVA and it’s time to start paying back your student loan, we can show you how to set up a monthly payment plan that never exceeds your ability to pay.

We can help make sure that your student loan payments won’t be a burden on your monthly income. IDSVA can make the economics of a world-class PhD work for you!

Federal Student Loans2025-26 Tuition and Costs
Art Philosophy student at the Venice Biennale in 2013

IDSVA Scholarships

Scholarships range from $2,000 to $27,000 annually, during the three-year course of study. Ninety percent of IDSVA students receive a scholarship, based on a combination of need and merit.

If you would like to be considered for an IDSVA scholarship, please submit the FAFSA at the same time as the rest of your application. Go to Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and enter the IDSVA school code: G41888.

IDSVA David Diskell fellows

David Driskell Fellowship

IDSVA awards one David Driskell Fellowship with each incoming cohort. Driskell Fellows are students of color who show promise in carrying forward David Driskell's mission to encourage worldwide community and equality through art.

The Driskell Fellowship provides an annual scholarship of 50% of tuition over the three-year course of study. David Driskell (1931–2020) was elected to the National Academy in 2000 and honored at the University of Maryland by the establishment of the David C. Driskell Center for the Study of Visual Arts and Culture of African Americans and the African Diaspora in 2001. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2018. A member of the IDSVA Visiting Faculty since 2007, Dr. Driskell was awarded an IDSVA Honorary Doctorate in 2013 in recognition of his lifelong career as an artist, scholar, and world leading spiritual philanthropist.

Learn more about our recent David Driskell Fellows.

The Whitney in NYC in 2019

Fellowships and Teaching Assistantships

In conferral with the Core Faculty, the Director of the School appoints TAs and awards writing fellowships, teaching fellowships, and post-doctoral fellowships. TA Appointments and awards are given to students on the basis of need and funding support. TAs are given to 2nd and 3rd year students, while Fellowships are awarded to those that are in their 3rd year and beyond. Modest stipends are granted to IDSVA Fellows and TAs, usually $2,000 per course.

The Trotsky Museum in Mexico City

Outside Scholarships

We have compiled a short list of scholarships, grants and fellowships you may be eligible for here, along with links for more extensive, and searchable, databases. Nearly all of these outside opportunities are for the dissertation period, and do not cover the first three years of the course of study.

Learn More about Outside Scholarships
Coastal image from low-residency Ph.D. program in the arts

Veteran Benefits

IDSVA is approved for the use of the GI Bill® benefits, and participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program. GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S government website.

IDSVA Student, Nil Santana

“IDSVA's generous financial support made it possible for me to get through the program on a meager adjunct salary. These days I'm known as Dr. Nil Santana, Associate Professor, Abilene Christian University! THANK YOU IDSVA!”

Dr. Nil Santana, IDSVA PhD ’13
Tenured Associate Professor, Abilene Christian University, Texas

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The PhD for Artist-Philosophers
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