Access Funds FAQ
Access Fund FAQs
Are the Access Funds classes free?
No, but Loft Access Funding provides a 95% reduction in tuition. 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 offerings and decide on the class you’d like to take, please follow the given instructions and fill out the Access Funds Request Form to receive an Access Funds code. Seats for most Access Funds-eligible offerings are available on a first come, first served basis, and limited spots are available for each class. If awarded a seat, you will 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 offering so staff is able to track the number of seats available for each 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 Funds 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 a form in Submittable.
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 event relevant to your writing interests and goals.
Is there a limit on the number of classes I can take once in the Access Fund pool?
To ensure offerings are accessible for as many as possible, we ask that prospective students limit their requests to:
- One single-session course and one multi-session course per student per term (Winter/Spring, Summer, Fall) to ensure classes are accessible for as many as possible. For example, please refrain from registering for two multi-week classes at once.
- You may request class seats with any other combination of offerings from Lit!Commons, Year-Long Writing Project, Lit!Series, and more.
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, you will 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.
What is the Access Funds process for Year-Long Writing Projects?
We offer separate Access Fund applications for the Year-Long Writing Projects, which typically opens in the fall for winter cohort and spring for summer cohort. There is one funded spot in each cohort. To apply for a seat, apply to join the Access Fund Pool and indicate your interest in the Year-Long Writing Project. Answer the short answer questions, provide a short writing sample, and provide any additional eligibility documentation. The Loft will reach out to finalists to schedule a final interview with the teaching artist and notify award recipients of results 1-2 weeks before the Year-Long cohort starts.
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.
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