| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | January 25, 2027 (2027 cycle) | April 19, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): $2,400–$5,200; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Free attendance; check separate expenses (2027 cycle) | $2,750 (2027 cycle) |
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| Financial aid | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): Deposit to secure a spot after acceptance: $1,000. Waived or adjusted when alternative arrangements or financial aid are awarded.; Need-based financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Application fee: $0; Deposit to reserve a spot: $100. Due once the application is approved; Suggested spending money: $100–$150 (2027 cycle) |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 (provider uses rising grades) | Grades 9–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Grades 10–11; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to rising grades 9–12; Requirement: No prior engineering experience or STEM classes required | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 9–12 when applying; Requirement: Has not attended MFAA in the past | Requirement: Open to grades 10–11; Requirement: Open in the summer after sophomore or junior year (students finishing grade 10 or 11); Requirement: One year of chemistry or physics |
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| Session dates or duration | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 8, 2026; Ends August 7, 2026; 3–6 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts May 30, 2027; Ends June 12, 2027; 2 weeks (2027 cycle) | Starts June 7, 2027; Ends July 22, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person / Online | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | San Jose, CA | Springfield, MO | Terre Haute, IN |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Application and interview review occur in receipt order while seats remain. BlueStamp does not publish applicant counts, acceptance rates, aid rates, cohort size for the next cycle, or a guaranteed decision. Application materials: Student interview with a parent or guardian present | Selection: A panel of artists and arts educators adjudicates the complete application, essay, school evaluation, and discipline portfolio or audition. MFAA publishes no applicant count, cohort size, acceptance rate, or scoring weights on the official pages. Application materials: Essay of about 500 words; Portfolio (visual arts, creative writing), performance video (theatre, dance, vocal, instrumental) or audio files/scores (electronic music, composition) | Selection: Earlier 2026 instructions described selective application followed by first-come session placement after approval. Confirm the current 2027 review and placement process; no acceptance rate is published. Application materials: Recommendation from a counselor or teacher |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24 |
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