Summer Session

Scholarships, Tuition & Fees

All Ox-Bow summer classes are available as for-credit or non-credit enrollments. Students who complete a for-credit course will receive credit through the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Ox-Bow’s for-credit tuition is the same as SAIC’s per credit. Students may also be able to use their financial aid award from SAIC toward degree credit tuition for courses.

An essential part of the magic of Ox-Bow is getting to know its domestic architecture, sharing meals, and living amongst fellow students, faculty, and staff. Room and Board fees cover lodging during the session and three meals per day. Both single and shared rooms are available.

Scholarships

Merit Scholarship funds can apply toward any core course for-credit or non-credit enrollment. Applications are submitted through the Ox-Bow website, are based on the prospective student’s portfolio and response to short essay questions, and are reviewed by a panel of diverse arts professionals with experience at Ox-Bow. Awards are typically partial and communicated to the student at least one-week prior to open registration so that they can claim their spot in class. 

The Merit Scholarship deadline is Sunday, March 10 at midnight CST / 1 a.m. EST.

The Ox-Bow Need Based Scholarship

The Need Based Scholarship can apply toward any core course for-credit or non-credit enrollment for students who demonstrate financial need. If awarded, this scholarship will offset the cost of room and board. Applications for this scholarship are informational, not portfolio based, and are reviewed by the Ox-Bow Scholarship Committee on a rolling basis.

If a student is interested in a Need Based Scholarship for their summer 2024 enrollment, they should submit that application by Monday, March 20 by midnight CST / 1:00 a.m. EST. Awards will be communicated to the student at least one-week prior to open registration.

Ox-Bow Work Scholarships: Ox-Bow will award a number of work scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis to students enrolling in Ox-Bow classes for-credit. The work scholarship is equivalent to 50% of the cost of shared room and board while attending Ox-Bow. Work Scholarship students work 13 hours per week while on campus in one of the following jobs: kitchen, housekeeping, grounds and maintenance. 

Work scholarships can only be claimed in person at Ox-Bow's registration event in the Neiman Center, 37 S Wabash, 2nd floor, starting at 8:30 a.m. CST / 9:30 a.m. EST on March 25, 2024

Tuition

Ox-Bow’s for-credit tuition is the same as SAIC’s per credit. Students may also be able to use their financial aid award from SAIC toward degree credit tuition for courses.

Other Fees

*Lab fees are only associated with in-person classes and are listed with course descriptions. They cover essential class materials supplied by Ox-Bow, including fuel costs (if applicable), and the cost of maintaining the studios. Please note that students may incur other material costs, depending on the scale and scope of their projects. All fees are due at the time of registration.

Room & Board

Room and Board costs are available in two tiers to accommodate those who would prefer a single room. Single Rooms are limited and we encourage those interested to register quickly.

Please note, Ox-Bow’s registrar does not work from Ox-Bow’s campus in Saugatuck, MI and will not be available via the campus phone. Any questions regarding registration should be directed to our main email, ox-bow@oxbow.org. 

Drop Policy

Please read carefully, Ox-Bow's drop policy is not the same as SAIC's drop policy.

If a student drops their course from the time of registration until three weeks before the start of their class. they will receive a full refund minus a $250 drop fee. If a student drops within three weeks of the start date of their class, no refunds will be given. Requests to drop must be submitted in writing to the Ox-Bow registrar via email. It is not possible to drop an Ox-Bow class through the SAIC Self Service or through the SAIC registrar.

In cases of a documented emergency, students may go through SAIC’s refund review process. 

If any participant tests positive for COVID-19 within 5 days of the first day of class, they will receive a credit to attend a future Ox-Bow class of the same credit type and amount. Proof of test results is required.

Ox-Bow is dedicated to providing students with the experience described in the catalog, but cannot guarantee the listed faculty. In the rare event that a faculty cannot instruct their class due to an emergency, a replacement of similar expertise will be provided. Faculty replacement does not make a student eligible for a refund.

In the event that Ox-Bow must cancel a course due to low enrollment or for any other reason, full refunds will be given.

Please contact Ox-Bow’s registrar at oxbow@ox-bow.org for the refund review forms and information. Ox-Bow reserves the right to adapt this drop policy, per evolving COVID-19 Guidelines and recommendations.