Access Funds FAQ

Are the Access Funds classes free?

No, but Loft Access Funding provides a 95% reduction in tuition for a class. The recipient pays the remaining 5% cost, which will vary depending on the regular price of the class. If you cancel before the class begins, we will not be able to provide a refund as the 5% rate helps cover the costs to run our Access Fund program. We appreciate your understanding of this policy and support of the Access Fund program!

I received an Access Fund email and I see a class I want to take, now what? 

Once you receive an email list of Access Fund classes and decide on the class you’d like to take, you must contact a Loft staff member by email or phone in order to receive an Access Funds code. Please state which class you would like to sign up for in your message. Education staff can be reached at [email protected], or 612-379-8999. Spots are awarded on a first come, first served basis, and limited spots are available for each class. You’ll be given a code to enter in the “Coupon Code”  box when you’re checking out online. Loft staff can also assist you with registration over the phone. You must repeat this process each time you’d like to register for an Access Fund class so staff is able to track the number of seats available for each specific class. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us with this process!

Why haven’t I received an Access Funds email in a couple of weeks?

Access Fund notifications are sent out on a rolling basis. We typically send out class notices as seats become available, about one to two weeks before class start dates. Depending on where we fall in our class schedule, several weeks may pass without Access Funds updates. December, January, May, and August are fairly quiet times at the Loft! 

I have a specific class in mind, but it hasn’t been offered for Access Fundis yet. Can I get a seat in it?

Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee funds for specific classes ahead of time, though we do our best to offer a wide range of options across all genres. Only classes listed in our Access Funds updates are available. 

A note for families interested in enrolling children in youth classes:

The Loft is able to offer Access Funds for youth classes through the Hearst Foundation and provide a 95% discount on the cost of tuition. If you are interested in one of these seats for your child, please indicate interest in Access Funds for youth classes via this form.

The Loft also offers Access Funds through Minnesota Afterschool Advance (MAA). These help reduce the cost of youth class tuition by 75%. For more information, please visit MAA’s website here.

If you have any questions about access funds for youth or adults, please contact the Loft’s education department at 612-379-8999 or [email protected].

What kind of creative writing classes are offered to the pool?

Our offerings cover the range of all of our genres, levels, times, and durations– from single sessions to 12-week classes. We hope you will find a class or two relevant to your writing interests and goals within the year you apply and join our Access Fund pool.

Is there a limit on the number of classes I can take once in the Access Fund pool?

Nope! We just ask that you be considerate of other pool participants by not registering for a class while currently enrolled in another. For example, please refrain from registering for two multi-week classes at once. However, feel free to register for multiple Saturday classes, since these are single session classes occurring on different dates. 

How long may I remain in the pool?

Our Access Fund relies on an “honor system” from all of our wonderful participants. We are happy to provide funding to as many students as possible; however, if your financial situation were to change and you are no longer eligible for the Access Fund program we trust that you would reach out to us to be removed from the pool. 

We may ask accepted applicants to re-submit documentation of their assistance in the future, though we do not do so on a regular basis. So for now, as long as appropriate classroom conduct and basic attendance standards are kept high, rest assured you'll remain in the Loft Access Fund pool. The only reason you would be removed from the pool is if you specifically unsubscribe from our mailing list. Choosing to unsubscribe means you will no longer receive any Access Fund updates, and must resubmit an Access Fund application if you wish to be added back to the pool. 

Does the Loft offer any other options for financial support? 

For class tuition, we offer payment plans through Sezzle, accessed during checkout. This option is available to everyone. 

We offer separate Access Fund applications for other Loft programs such as the Year-Long Writing Projects, which typically opens in the fall.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.