FAQ's

Gnomon’s BFA program is available to all students, both domestic and International, who have graduated from High School (or its equivalent). Gnomon’s classes are intended for students 18 years of age or above. Individuals who are 17 may be considered for the BFA program as long as they turn 18 years of age within 90 days of the start of their course and present a GPA of 3.0 or above on High School transcripts.

Gnomon operates on a rolling-admissions basis, meaning applications are accepted year-round. Students can potentially begin our BFA Degree Program at any of our four quarters per year. You can view our Academic Calendar for term dates and deadlines.

Students can complete the program in either 3 or 4 years. The length of the program is dependent on whether the student decides to take summer quarters off.

Our Admissions team is available to conduct preliminary portfolio reviews to help you determine if you’re ready to apply. You are welcome to give us a call to schedule an appointment or send an email to admissions@gnomon.edu to get started. You can also start by reviewing our Portfolio Guidelines (International and Domestic).

You do not need to submit your portfolio at the same time as the application itself. If you are planning to apply for an upcoming term, we recommend submitting your online application first—once received, you’ll be given a login to our student portal to review your other missing/received items and documents. Please bear in mind that space in each term is limited, so it’s recommended that you apply with plenty of time before the posted deadline. You can review our term dates and deadlines on our Academic Calendar.

Gnomon operates on a rolling admissions system, and internal reviews are conducted year-round. Once all application materials and requirements have been received and completed, we will conduct our review and contact you with a result within one to three weeks.

The interview exists to ensure you’re an appropriate fit for Gnomon. We’re seeking candidates who are researched about their industry, passionate, creative, and dedicated to success.

Due to the advanced nature of our curriculum and high volume of coursework, it is recommended that full-time students focus primarily on their studies while attending.

Students who have earned college credits from other institutions can be reviewed for credit. Whether or not credits are transferrable depends on course curriculum and student performance.

Gnomon will consider AP scores of 4 or 5 for credit, for general education classes only. AP Studio art credits will not be considered.

Yes. Gnomon is approved by the US Department of Education to offer financial aid, including Federal Pell Grants, Work-Study, Direct Loans, and Parent PLUS Loans to those who qualify. For more information, please contact finaid@gnomon.edu.

No—applications are only required for students who wish to pursue full-time programs, including our 2-year Digital Production for Entertainment and BFA Degree in Digital Production. Individual courses are open for registration. You can view the registration opportunities for each term on our Academic Calendar. Individual classes are not degree nor certificate-awarding.

We do not offer on-campus housing but can assist you with finding housing or student roommates in the Los Angeles area. You are welcome to contact our Admissions Office for assistance at admissions@gnomon.edu.

We offer Open Houses, which is a great opportunity to tour our campus, speak with Admissions representatives, and learn more about the Entertainment industry and our educational options. You can view our open house schedule for more details. If you are unable to attend, you can set up a personal tour and appointment by contacting our Admissions department at admissions@gnomon.edu, or by calling during business hours.

Gnomon’s Certificate Program is available to all students, both domestic and International, who have graduated from High School (or its equivalent). Gnomon’s classes are intended for students 18 years of age or above.

Gnomon operates on a rolling admissions basis, meaning applications are accepted year-round. Students can potentially begin our Certificate Program at any of our four quarters per year. You can view our Academic Calendar for term dates and deadlines.

The Certificate Program is designed to take students two (2) years to complete.

Our Admissions team is available to conduct preliminary portfolio reviews to help you determine if you’re ready to apply. You are welcome to give us a call to schedule an appointment or send an email to admissions@gnomon.edu to get started. You can also start by reviewing our Portfolio Guidelines (International and Domestic).

You do not need to submit your portfolio at the same time as the application itself. If you are planning to apply for an upcoming term, we recommend submitting your online application first—once received, you’ll be given a login to our student portal to review your other missing/received items and documents. Please bear in mind that space in each term is limited, so it’s recommended that you apply with plenty of time before the posted deadline. You can review our term dates and deadlines on our Academic Calendar.

Gnomon operates on a rolling admissions system, and internal reviews are conducted year-round. Once all application materials and requirements have been received and completed, we will conduct our review and contact you with a result within one to three weeks.

The interview exists to ensure you’re an appropriate fit for Gnomon. We’re seeking candidates who are researched about their industry, passionate, creative, and dedicated to success.

Due to the advanced nature of our curriculum and high volume of coursework, it is recommended that full-time students focus primarily on their studies while attending.

Students who have earned college credits from other institutions can be reviewed for credit. Whether or not credits are transferrable depends on course curriculum and student performance.

Yes. Gnomon is approved by the US Department of Education to offer financial aid, including Federal Pell Grants, Work-Study, Direct Loans, and Parent PLUS Loans to those who qualify. For more information, please contact finaid@gnomon.edu.

No—applications are only required for students who wish to pursue full-time programs, including our 2-year Certificate in Digital Production and BFA Degree in Digital Production. Individual courses are open for registration. You can view the registration opportunities for each term on our Academic Calendar. Individual classes are not degree nor certificate-awarding.

We do not offer on-campus housing but can assist you with finding housing or student roommates in the Los Angeles area. You are welcome to contact our Admissions department for assistance at admissions@gnomon.edu.

We offer Open Houses, which is a great opportunity to tour our campus, speak with Admissions representatives, and learn more about the Entertainment industry and our educational options. You can view our open house schedule for more details. If you are unable to attend, you can set up a personal tour and appointment by contacting our Admissions Department at admissions@gnomon.edu, or by calling during business hours.

The Foundation in Art & Design (FIAD) is a curated selection of foundational art and introductory 3D courses, organized into four terms with 3–4 courses per term, lasting up to a year. It’s designed for students aiming to improve their artistic skills, build a well-rounded portfolio, and prepare for further education in digital production. Whether FIAD is the right fit depends on your experience level and personal goals. We recommend speaking with an Admissions Advisor to discuss your aspirations and determine if this path aligns with your objectives.

The Foundation in Art & Design (FIAD) is designed for individuals interested in exploring a career as a digital artist in the entertainment industry. It’s ideal for beginners or those seeking to develop fundamental art and design skills, build a college-ready art portfolio, or prepare for further education in digital production. FIAD is especially suited for students interested in a Gnomon degree or certificate program who may need further art education to either learn the skills necessary to create an admissible portfolio or to assess their interest and alignment with Gnomon’s curriculum.

The Foundation in Art & Design (FIAD) offers several key benefits:

• Portfolio Development: Students gain the skills necessary to start building a portfolio suitable for applications to Gnomon’s BFA and Certificate programs.
• Transferable Credits: The majority of FIAD courses offer credits that can transfer directly to Gnomon’s full-time programs, making it a practical first step.
• Cost-Effective Pathway: FIAD provides a cost-saving alternative to a traditional community college path, with a focus on skills and standards specific to the entertainment industry.
• Low Commitment: Students enroll one term at a time, offering the chance to explore a college-level art curriculum before making any long-term financial commitments.

FIAD is ideal for those who want to explore digital arts in an accessible, supportive environment before committing to a full-time program.

Choosing between beginning with FIAD or applying directly to the BFA depends on your portfolio readiness and goals. FIAD is ideal for students who don’t yet have the admissible portfolio required for BFA admission or for those who want to explore a college-level art curriculum before committing to a full BFA program. A key advantage of FIAD is that most credits are transferable to the BFA program (upon acceptance), effectively reducing the overall BFA tuition by treating these credits as a tuition discount.

If you already have a portfolio that meets BFA requirements, going straight into the BFA may be the best option. Talk to an Admissions Advisor for guidance on which path is best for you.

Students are welcome to sign up for individual courses outside of the Foundation studies if they are looking to start with one course or take fewer classes each term. We recommend speaking with an Admissions Advisor for recommendations based on your goals.

Students looking to enroll in FIAD Courses must have a High School diploma or equivalent. Gnomon’s courses are intended for students 18 years of age or above. Individuals who are 17 may be considered for the Foundation in Art & Design as long as they turn 18 years of age within 90 days of the start of their course and present a GPA of 3.0 or above on High School transcripts. Please visit the How to Enroll section for more information.

Yes— you do not need a portfolio. However, we recommend speaking with an Admissions advisor to ensure the courses will be appropriate for you based on your skill level and goals.

The Foundation in Art & Design is a curated selection of individual courses, not a formal program, so there is no application or acceptance process. Students who meet the enrollment requirements may enroll directly in FIAD courses. For more details, please visit the How to Enroll section.

Gnomon's Foundation in Art & Design commences twice per year, in the Spring and Fall terms. Please see the Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines.

FIAD students are enrolled in 3 or 4 courses per term. Each course meets once per week for 10 consecutive weeks. The days and times of the classes vary each term, and are non-negotiable.

Yes—the FIAD is made up of college-level courses that are transferrable to Gnomon’s full time programs. These courses include classwork, homework, and grades.

Yes, students must meet a minimum requirement of a 2.0 quarterly grade point average (GPA) in order to be enrolled in a future quarter (term) of FIAD courses.

Students who do not meet the minimum GPA standard will not be allowed to enroll in future Foundation in Art & Design terms. However, students are welcome to enroll in individual, standalone courses outside of the Foundation in Art & Design.

Gnomon caps classroom size at 18 students for all courses.

No. Individual courses within the Foundation are intended for artistic development and do not provide a diploma or certificate.

While the FIAD is designed to be taken in four consecutive quarters, the sections are modular and may be taken individually, based on availability. You can speak with an Admissions Advisor for more information regarding attending a single term of the FIAD.

The Foundation in Art & Design course of study is focused on foundational artistic growth and introductory skills. It is not designed to produce production-ready artists but rather to help students build essential skills and prepare for further education in digital arts.

Yes. 12 of the 13 courses within the FIAD, totaling 35 credits, are transferable to Gnomon’s BFA degree program. For students who successfully complete the FIAD and are later accepted into the BFA, the transfer credits significantly reduce the overall BFA tuition cost—an amount that exceeds the cost of FIAD tuition. This effectively makes FIAD a cost-neutral investment in the long term, and, for many students, it offers a more economical path toward a degree than attending community college prior to transferring into Gnomon’s BFA program.

For more information and guidance specific to your situation, contact admissions@gnomon.edu.

Since the Foundation in Art & Design is comprised of individual courses and is not a program, Federal Student Aid is not available. However, private education loans are available and can cover tuition and estimated living expenses. Interested students may contact the Financial Aid Office for more details.

Scholarships are not currently available for the Foundation.

FIAD students have access to a range of valuable resources, including academic mentorship, Gnomon’s specialized library with industry-focused materials, extensive learning resources, and professional-grade workstations that mirror those used in top studios. Perhaps the greatest resource, however, is immersion in Gnomon’s community of instructors and full-time program students—giving FIAD students the chance to learn from industry professionals and connect with peers who share their passion, providing insight, inspiration, and networking opportunities as they start their journey.

A transcript is official if it:

1. bears the authorizing signature and the official seal of the issuing institution and is sent directly by the school or college to the Admissions office

   OR

2. is sealed in a school or college envelope and mailed or delivered to Admissions by the individual. br If you open the envelope, the transcript is no longer official. Gnomon also accepts electronic transcript submission. | Records from schools abroad must be originals, official, and in the native language, accompanied by official English translations.

Gnomon will accept passing scores from either the GED, HiSET, TASC, or CHSPE exams for equivalency. For more information on approved academic documents, you may contact our Admissions department at admissions@gnomon.edu.

Gnomon specializes in computer graphics education and employs top-tier industry professionals. High School Summer Camp courses are specifically designed to introduce students to the software, hardware, and techniques used in film and game production.

No, there is no assigned homework.

No. Classes are not for credit and not graded.

No. These classes are designed for artistic development and are not credit-based.

Classes are capped at 18 students.

Yes. Parking is available in the lot and structure at the corner of Cahuenga and Romaine, one block South of Gnomon’s campus. For parking validation, please see the Gnomon Front Desk. Short-term street parking is also available for convenient drop-off and pick-up.

Gnomon will provide free lunch each day of camp, as well as water and snacks periodically throughout the day. The lunch options provided will include a meat and vegetarian option each day.

If the camper has specific allergies, they are encouraged to bring their own snacks and lunch. Gnomon will provide access to a refrigerator for daily storage.

The optional provided lunch is free and not included in the cost of tuition. We do not offer discounted tuition to students who decide to forego the provided lunch.

The total cost for one week is $849.00 which includes daily lunch.

Students enrolled are not required to bring materials, however, students may want an easy way to store their digital artwork files at the conclusion of the camp. We recommend an 8GB USB drive or a cloud service subscription to easily transport and save files.

Drop requests received before the first day of Summer Camp will be given a 100% refund. Drop requests received before the second day of Summer Camp will be given an 80% refund. No refunds will be given after the second day of Summer Camp.

Please email your drop/refund requests to Registrar. Tuition refunds are based on the date your written drop request is received via email. Refunds will not be honored without a written request.

Refunds will be made within 45 days of the date of cancellation. Requests will be processed during regular business hours: Monday through Friday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm.

This information, along with detailed policies, emergency protocols, and staff contacts will be sent to enrolled students prior to the week of Summer Camp.

For additional questions, please feel free to contact our Admissions Office at 323.466.6663 or by email.

Yes. Gnomon provides campus tours and one-on-one consultations. Please contact Admissions or call us at 323.466.6663 to schedule a tour.

Gnomon is located in the NoHo West lot in North Hollywood, CA.

6150 Laurel Canyon Blvd.,
North Hollywood, CA 91606

While vaccinations and up-to-date booster vaccinations are recommended, they are not required at this time.

For more information on current health and safety protocols related to COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 Information Page.

To be considered for the Summer Camp, Gnomon requires all applicants to submit 2 – 3 samples of artwork. We also require that applicants answer the questions on the application form, provide one teacher/coach/mentor recommendation, and complete an interview with an Admissions Representative. The purpose of this interview is for Gnomon to gauge a student’s personal interest in the arts, as well as their readiness for the rigors of the camp curriculum. If accepted, the Admissions team will provide a confirmation email, instructions on payment, and information regarding the next steps.

All application forms and materials must be submitted no later than June 18th, 2023.

Gnomon's High School Summer Camp is open to all students currently enrolled in High School or entering High School in the Fall who will be at least 14 years of age by the first day of camp.

You may enroll if you are 18 and recently graduated, however, Gnomon provides multiple courses and program options for post-high school students that may be more appropriate. Please contact Admissions for further information and guidance.

Gnomon's High School classes were developed for beginners having little to no experience with 3D software applications. While the summer camp experience was designed to be fun, students should be prepared for up to six (6) hours of in-class instruction per day. For this reason, only applicants who demonstrate an interest in digital arts are selected for the camp.

All questions can be directed to the Admissions Office. To schedule a one-on-one consultation or a campus tour, please contact us at admissions@gnomon.edu or 323.466.6663. Our admissions representatives are happy to help guide you.

No. Your past high school grades are not considered at Gnomon. We place more value on your desire to learn and to create.

Yes, if you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or guardian's signature on the Medical and Personal Likeness Release form.

Yes, as long as you are enrolled in high school or a high school equivalent program.

Visit our How To Apply page for specific enrollment information.

We accept artwork from one or more of the following mediums: pencil drawing, painting, sculpture, digital painting, graphic design, motion graphics, 3D art, or animation. The artwork must be 100% original.

The Application Form allows students to rank their desired courses by order of preference. If you are selected, we will make our best effort to place you in a class based on your preference. Students will be informed of their class enrollment at the time payment is collected.

Please allow up to 10 business days for us to process your enrollment form. Due to limited seating and high demand, spaces cannot be guaranteed.

Students who are selected for the camp will be contacted for payment within 10 business days.

We do not offer scholarships or grants for the High School Summer Camp at this time.

Gnomon offers courses for all skill levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. Whether a particular course is appropriate for you depends on your prior experience as well as your personal development goals. We recommend speaking with an Admissions Advisor to determine if this is the right path for you.

Yes! Students interested in taking individual courses, either on-campus or online, may benefit from a conversation with an Admissions Advisor. Advisors can help you choose courses that are designed to meet your specific goals, taking into consideration your current skill level, weekly schedule, timeline, and budget. If you'd like help choosing courses, please contact our Admissions Office.

Students looking to enroll in individual courses must be 18 years of age or above. Please visit the How to Enroll section for more information.

Yes, you do not need a portfolio to enroll in individual courses. However, we recommend speaking with an Admissions Advisor to ensure the courses will be appropriate for you based on your skill level and goals.

No, there is no formal process of admission. Please visit the How to Enroll section for more information on how to register.

You may start your individual course(s) at the beginning of any of our four quarterly terms: Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall. For more information, please see the Academic Calendar.

Gnomon caps classroom size at 18 students for all courses.

No. Individual courses are intended for artistic development and do not provide a diploma or certificate.

In many cases, yes. Specific courses taken at Gnomon are transferrable to Gnomon’s BFA Degree and Certificate programs. For more information, contact admissions@gnomon.edu.

As individual courses are not part of a program, Federal Student Aid is not available. However, private education loans are available and can cover tuition and estimated living expenses. Interested students may contact the Financial Aid Office for more details.

Scholarships are not currently available for individual courses.

Yes. Gnomon’s individual courses are college-level, for-credit classes. These courses include classwork, homework, and grades.

Each class session is scheduled within a 3-hour block. A class will typically consist of homework review, a short Q&A session, and lecture.

Courses will generally span 10 weeks in length, meeting once per week on a scheduled day and time. Some courses may be offered in a variety of schedule formats. Please check the course schedule for course schedule information.

You should expect to spend 9 to 13 hours a week on in-class coursework and homework, per class.

No. All registered Gnomon students have access to our computer labs, outfitted with production-level workstations and applicable software. Access to the computer labs begins the first week of the term in which you are registered and concludes at the end of the term.

For students who plan to work on a home computer, we recommend acquiring student versions of applicable software.

As with any live class, at some point, a class will need to be canceled or rescheduled. If an instructor needs to postpone a class, the administrative staff will simply extend the class one week. A notification will be sent to the class with information pertinent to the re-schedule. The class will generally meet as scheduled the following week.

If you are unable to attend a class session, simply notify your instructor. Absences may not exceed 30% of the total course time. Students who do not maintain 70% attendance may receive an unsatisfactory grade.

Gnomon is sensitive to the fact that a great deal of information is given in course lectures. Students are encouraged to audio record lectures with instructor permission only, but please note that students must not film lectures, either with a camera or their cell phones, under any circumstances.

Yes!  You can set up a personal campus tour and appointment by contacting our Admissions Office at admissions@gnomon.edu, or by calling our front office at 323.466.6663 during business hours.

Distance education (online) courses are delivered via live broadcast on a preset schedule and are not pre-recorded.

Due to a regulation released by the U.S. Department of Education for higher education institutions, Gnomon's online course offerings are only available to residents of California and those residing outside of the United States.

Gnomon is committed to delivering the highest level of instruction possible, both online and in the classroom. To ensure that you are equipped for success in our online learning environment, we have prepared a quick Self-Evaluation Survey that, if answered honestly, will quickly assess your readiness for online learning success.

Gnomon offers courses for all skill levels, ranging from beginner to advanced. Whether a particular course is appropriate for you depends on your prior experience as well as your personal development goals. We recommend speaking with an Admissions Advisor to determine if this is the right path for you.

You will need a high speed internet connection to view the online lectures. A minimum 1.5 Mbps connection is required.

You can test your internet speed at speedtest.net.

Students taking Gnomon Online classes must meet the minimum system requirements in addition to any additional system specifications required by the software used in the course. You will need a high speed (1.5 Mbps or faster) connection.

For PC-based students:

• Internet Explorer 7.0, Mozilla Firefox 4.0, Google Chrome 5.0 (JavaScript and Java enabled) or the latest version of each web browser
• Windows 8, 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server
• Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection (1.5 Mbps bandwidth recommended)
• Dual-core 2.4GHz CPU or faster with 2GB of RAM (recommended)
• Webcam

For Mac-based students:

• Safari 3.0, Firefox 4.0, Google Chrome 5.0 (JavaScript and Java enabled) or the latest version of each web browser
• Mac OS X 10.5 – Leopard or newer
• Intel processor (1GB of RAM or better recommended)
• Cable modem, DSL, or better Internet connection (1.5 Mbps bandwidth recommended)
• Webcam

Some wireless connections have a higher occurrence of dropped signals than others. Some issues are simply caused by interference, and others can be attributed to the wireless router. If you are experiencing an issue with dropped or faulty connectivity, it is recommended that you swap over to a hard wired internet connection.

Webcams are mandatory.

All students enrolled in an online course are required to have a working webcam for each class session. Instructors will validate attendance at the beginning of each class using your webcam presence. Failure to have a working webcam will result in the instructor marking the student absent for that class session.

Webcams allow students to communicate directly with the instructor of the class without the distractions of using the chat module in the application. This helps to facilitate a more interactive experience for both the student and instructor.

Not at this time. Lectures are delivered live and in real-time. The interactive experience is, in our opinion, the most effective way to learn. It is therefore the responsibility of the student to take notes and ask questions during the class.

As with any live class, at some point, a class will need to be canceled or rescheduled. If an instructor needs to postpone a class, the administrative staff will simply extend the class one week. A notification will be sent to the class with information pertinent to the re-schedule. The class will generally meet as scheduled the following week.

If you are unable to attend a class session, simply notify your instructor. As you will be missing out on valuable information, you will want to use the forums to see if other students in the class can share their notes or fill you in on what was missed that week. Absences may not exceed 30% of the total course time. Students who do not maintain 70% attendance may receive an unsatisfactory grade.

Each class session is scheduled within a 3-hour block. A class will typically consist of homework review, a short Q&A session, and a lecture.

Courses will generally span 10 weeks in length, meeting once per week on a scheduled day and time. Some courses may be offered in a variety of schedule formats. Please check the course schedule for course schedule information.

Yes. You can expect to spend at least 7-10 hours per week on homework, per class – this will vary depending on the course. This time is spent on weekly assignments, research, tests, and final project submissions.

Yes. Depending on the amount of information in a given week’s lecture, homework reviews may be limited to only a select number of students each week. Homework critiques will be performed in the live classroom session. Some weeks, the instructor may perform in-depth critiques of everyone’s work. If you require help or review on a specific assignment, please let the instructor know at the beginning of class or post your work to the course discussion forum for peer feedback.

You should expect to spend 95 to 130 hours towards each class over the course of a term, or 9 and a half to 13 hours a week.

Students will be responsible for supplying their own computer equipment, software, broadband internet access, and other materials for assignments. Many software developers offer free, personal learning editions of their software. Many also offer educational pricing directly through their websites. Students may also purchase educational versions of most software through studica.com only after student verification is completed. Some software developers require enrollment in full bachelor's degree programs to qualify for the educational versions of their software.

If you are looking for Autodesk software, you may download educational versions of their software at students.autodesk.com.

No. At this time, we do not offer any certificates for taking online classes.

No, only students enrolled in our certificate or degree programs are eligible for Federal Financial Aid, and private education loans are only offered to students who attend classes on campus.

Visit our Academics page for more information on our full-time programs.

No—applications are only required for students who wish to pursue full-time programs, including our BFA program and our 2-year Certificate in Digital Production program. Individual courses are open for registration. You can view the registration opportunities for each term on our academic calendar.

Our Admissions team is available to conduct preliminary portfolio reviews to help you determine if you’re ready to apply. You are welcome to give us a call to schedule an appointment, or send an email to Admissions to get started. You can also start by reviewing our portfolio guidelines.

You do not need to submit your portfolio at the same time as the application itself. If you are planning to apply for an upcoming term, we recommend submitting your online application first—once received, you’ll be given a login to our student portal to review your other missing/received items and documents. Please bear in mind that space in each term is limited, so it’s recommended that you apply with plenty of time before the posted deadline. You can review our term dates and deadlines on our academic calendar.

Gnomon operates on a rolling admissions system, and internal reviews are conducted year-round. Once all application materials and requirements have been received and completed, we will conduct our review and contact you with a result within one to three weeks.

The interview exists to ensure you’re an appropriate fit for Gnomon. We’re seeking candidates who are researched about their industry, passionate, creative, and dedicated to success.

Students who have earned college credits from other institutions can be reviewed for credit. Whether or not credits are transferrable depends on which courses were taken and performance in each.

No- certificates are only awarded upon graduation from a full-time program at Gnomon. You can, however, request a transcript upon completion of your class.

Although Gnomon does not own or operate campus or non-campus student housing, we aim to provide incoming students with the necessary information and resources to assist in their housing search. We recommend students begin to explore housing options several months before their expected move-in date.

Gnomon has established a relationship with Kapi Residences to provide students with off-campus, furnished student apartments just minutes from campus. For more information on Kapi Residences and other options, please see the Housing & Visitor’s Guide or visit our Housing section.

Due to the advanced nature of our courses and programs and high volume of projects and homework, it is recommended that full-time students focus primarily on their studies while attending.

We offer Open Houses, which is a great opportunity to tour our campus, speak with Admissions representatives, and learn more about the Entertainment industry and our educational options. You can view our open house schedule for more details. If you are unable to attend, you can set up a personal tour and appointment by contacting our Admissions department, or by calling during business hours.

A transcript is official if it bears the authorizing signature and the official seal of the issuing institution and is sent directly by the school or college to the Admissions office or sealed in a school or college envelope and mailed or delivered to Admissions by you. If you open the envelope, the transcript is no longer official. Gnomon also accepts electronic transcript submission.

Records from schools abroad must be originals, official, and in the native language, accompanied by official English translations.

The Admissions office will keep transcripts and other credentials it receives for one calendar year.

Gnomon will accept passing scores from either the GED, HiSET, TASC, or CHSPE exams for equivalency. For more information on approved academic documents, you may contact our Admissions department at admissions@gnomon.edu.

Gnomon is authorized by the government to offer Federal financial aid to those who qualify and are accepted and enrolled into a full-time program.

For students registering in individual courses, or courses within the Foundation in Art & Design series, Federal assistance is not available. However, a private education loan may be considered as an alternative. For more information about private education loans, please email the Financial Aid Office.

All students interested in seeking Federal financial assistance will need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov. Include Gnomon’s school code, 040764 so that it will be directly sent to us for review.

Gnomon offers two programs that are eligible:

1. BFA Degree in Digital Production
2. 2-year Certificate in Digital Production

Gnomon offers Federal Student Aid through the FAFSA: Pell Grants, Supplemental Education Opportunity Grants, Work-Study, Direct Loans for students, and Direct PLUS Loans for parents of dependent students. In addition, Gnomon offers the California state Cal Grant and private education loans.

Yes. Many families mistakenly think they don’t qualify and prevent themselves from receiving financial aid by failing to apply. In addition, there are a few sources of aid such as Federal Unsubsidized Direct Loans and PLUS loans that are available regardless of financial need. The FAFSA application is free so it doesn’t hurt to apply.

When you complete the FAFSA, you will answer questions that determine dependency status. If you are considered dependent, you will be required to enter your parents’ tax information for consideration. This will affect the amount of aid you would be eligible for. If your answers determine that you are independent, you will not be asked for your parents’ information.

For more information on dependency status, click HERE.

Federal Direct Loans include many benefits such as fixed interest rates and various repayment plans not typically offered with private education loans. In contrast, private loans are credit-based and generally more expensive than Federal student loans because of higher interest rates.

Detailed information about these differences can be found HERE.

To prepare for the FAFSA, please watch this short video.

When you are ready, go to studentaid.gov to complete the FAFSA online.

A new Financial Aid award year begins each July and covers Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters. You must renew your FAFSA every year. You can now apply for next year’s FAFSA as early as October 1st of this year. To receive maximum consideration for aid, it is best to complete the FAFSA at least eight weeks prior to the start date of the term you wish to enter.

Yes. In order to receive Federal aid from year to year, you must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The FAFSA covers the time between July 1st of one year to June 30th of the next. You can file the FAFSA starting October 1st in the year prior to the year you want to apply for. If necessary, you may estimate your taxes to complete the form, but we recommend waiting until you’ve completed your taxes.

The first step is completing the (FAFSA) online at studentaid.gov. Our school code is 040764. Once we receive the FAFSA, we can create an estimate for your entire program within a day or two. From there, we will schedule a meeting with you to discuss your options. You can even do this before you apply for admission. Just give us a call or send us an email when you have the FAFSA completed and we can get started.

Not necessarily. Your Federal financial aid eligibility does transfer from school to school. Students planning to transfer to another school should contact the Financial Aid Office at both schools to find out what is required.

It depends. The government limits the amount of Federal Direct Loan aid students can receive. As long as you have not defaulted on your previous loans, these are the maximums you are allowed to borrow:

Dependent - Up to $31,000

Independent - Up to $57,500

If you are an eligible non-citizen with an Alien Registration number you could qualify for Federal financial aid. Generally, if you have a “green card” (in other words, if you are a permanent resident), you will be considered an “eligible noncitizen” and will be able to get Federal financial aid if you meet the other basic eligibility criteria. Full details of the immigration status that qualifies you as an eligible noncitizen are listed here for Non U.S. Citizens.

Federal financial aid is limited and does not even cover our tuition in full. Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans can help with living expenses as well as covering remaining tuition for those students who are determined to be dependent. For independent students, a private education loan would be the best option. For more information contact finaid@gnomon.edu.

The Financial Aid Office offers private education loan options from College Ave and Sallie Mae. These loans are used to help make up the difference between Federal financial aid and the total cost of attending Gnomon, including estimated living expenses. Unlike Federal Direct Loans, approval for a private education loan is based on your personal credit history and that of your co-signer (these loans will most likely require a co-signer).

Begin with Gnomon’s Financial Aid Office. Contact us at (323) 466-6663 or by email at finaid@gnomon.edu. You will be directed accordingly from there. The Financial Aid Office is open Monday through Friday, from 10am to 6pm; however, additional days and times may be available by appointment.

That depends on when you withdraw. You have the ability to withdraw anytime during the first seven days of any term without penalty. If you withdraw during the first six weeks of a quarter, we are required to prorate your charges and financial aid and send back any funds that are considered ‘unearned.’ If you withdraw between terms, there is no refund. In addition, if you borrowed Federal Direct Loans, you must complete Exit Counseling as part of your obligation to the Federal government. If you’d prefer, the Financial Aid Office can set up a meeting to go over your repayment options and advise you about what to expect during repayment status. Usually, students have a 6-month grace period after graduation (or withdrawal) before repayment begins. You will need to contact your loan servicer (the agency that the government has assigned to service your loan) within 6 months after you graduate or withdraw.

No—all applicants are considered for scholarships when they are reviewed for admission. You do not need to submit anything additional.

In order to be eligible for consideration, candidates must be an applicant to a Gnomon full-time program–either our BFA program or our Certificate program. Applicants must have completed all application requirements prior to the corresponding deadline and have no previous record of acceptance or enrollment in a Gnomon full-time program.

Recipients will be notified by the Admissions Office. The scholarship award amount and other details will be included in the applicant’s letter of acceptance.

No—scholarships are only available to students who are admitted to full-time programs at Gnomon.

FAFSA http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

Federal Student Aid by the Department of Education http://studentaid.ed.gov/

finaid@gnomon.edu

No—applications are only required for students who wish to pursue full-time programs, including our BFA program and our 2-year Certificate in Digital Production program. Individual courses are open for registration. You can view the registration opportunities for each term on our academic calendar.

Our Admissions team is available to conduct preliminary portfolio reviews to help you determine if you’re ready to apply. You are welcome to give us a call to schedule an appointment, or send an email to Admissions to get started. You can also start by reviewing our portfolio guidelines.

You do not need to submit your portfolio at the same time as the application itself. If you are planning to apply for an upcoming term, we recommend submitting your online application first—once received, you’ll be given a login to our student portal to review your other missing/received items and documents. Please bear in mind that space in each term is limited, so it’s recommended that you apply with plenty of time before the posted deadline. You can review our term dates and deadlines on our academic calendar.

Gnomon operates on a rolling admissions system, and internal reviews are conducted year-round. Once all application materials and requirements have been received and completed, we will conduct our review and contact you with a result within one to three weeks.

The interview exists to ensure you’re an appropriate fit for Gnomon. We’re seeking candidates who are researched about their industry, passionate, creative, and dedicated to success.

Students who have earned college credits from other institutions can be reviewed for credit. Whether or not credits are transferrable depends on which courses were taken and performance in each.

No- certificates are only awarded upon graduation from a full-time program at Gnomon. You can, however, request a transcript upon completion of your class.

Although Gnomon does not own or operate campus or non-campus student housing, we aim to provide incoming students with the necessary information and resources to assist in their housing search. We recommend students begin to explore housing options several months before their expected move-in date.

Gnomon has established a relationship with Kapi Residences to provide students with off-campus, furnished student apartments just minutes from campus. For more information on Kapi Residences and other options, please see the Housing & Visitor’s Guide or visit our Housing section.

Due to the advanced nature of our courses and programs and high volume of projects and homework, it is recommended that full-time students focus primarily on their studies while attending.

We offer Open Houses, which is a great opportunity to tour our campus, speak with Admissions representatives, and learn more about the Entertainment industry and our educational options. You can view our open house schedule for more details. If you are unable to attend, you can set up a personal tour and appointment by contacting our Admissions department, or by calling during business hours.

A transcript is official if it bears the authorizing signature and the official seal of the issuing institution and is sent directly by the school or college to the Admissions office or sealed in a school or college envelope and mailed or delivered to Admissions by you. If you open the envelope, the transcript is no longer official. Gnomon also accepts electronic transcript submissions.

Records from schools abroad must be originals, official, and in the native language. In addition, international transcripts must be accompanied by an official English translation and evaluation by one of the following agencies only:

• The International Education Research Foundation
• Academic Evaluation Services
• The Foundation for International Services
• World Education Services

Any costs incurred as a result of evaluation and translation services are the responsibility of the applicant and may range from approximately $75 to $200 U.S. dollars. Processing times may range from 2–4 weeks, depending on the agency. Rush services are usually available for an additional fee. Evaluations and translations issued by agencies other than the ones listed above will not be accepted.

The Admissions office will keep transcripts and other credentials it receives for one calendar year.

In many cases, yes, however, your secondary school transcript and/or diploma must be evaluated for equivalency to a United States high school diploma by one of the four agencies listed above.

Before sending your academic documents to one of the above listed evaluation agencies, you may check secondary school equivalency to the U.S. high school diploma, here:

http://www.immihelp.com/immigration/high-school-diploma-equivalents.html

In most cases, yes. If your official evaluation states that your degree is the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution, you do not need to supply additional high school documentation, however, evaluation and translation requirements still apply.

If you earned a bachelor’s degree or higher at a regionally accredited U.S. institution, or if your official evaluation indicates the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree or higher earned at a regionally accredited U.S. institution, you do not need to supply additional high school documentation.

Please visit the American Council on Education website for information about General Equivalency Diploma testing.

The TOEFL test is offered via Internet-based testing (iBT). Tests will be administered on fixed dates. For detailed schedule information, please visit http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL/tclists/IBT_a.html.

The exam consists of four sections: reading, listening, speaking and writing. The total appointment time is approximately four and one half hours.

Scores will be posted online within two weeks of the test date. Login to your online TOEFL iBT account, enter the ETS ID received when you registered and click on the "View Scores" link. Your scores are also mailed to the universities or institutions you selected when you registered. A score report posting schedule for each test administration is available on the TOEFL iBT test site.

Allow 7–10 days for mail delivery in the United States. We recommend that you take the test two to three months before your earliest application deadline.

Gnomon’s TOEFL code is 9168. You do not need to specify a department code, only the university code 9168.

TOEFL test scores should be sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to Gnomon (Code 9168).

TOEFL scores are valid for two years after the test date. Scores will be considered expired if the test was taken more than two years prior to submission of the application.

Gnomon will accept scores from either module: Academic or General Training. To meet Gnomon's minimum standard, applicants must attain a band score of at least 6 on a 9-point scale.

IELTS has four parts — Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes), and Speaking (11–14 minutes). The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening, Reading, and Writing tests are done in one sitting. The Speaking test may be on the same day or up to seven days before or after the other tests. Find out more and see a test sample.

Your Test Report Form will be posted to you 13 calendar days after your test date. All test centers will post your Test Report Form to you. Keep your Test Report Form in a secure place as you only receive one copy. Some test centers provide SMS alerts and an online results service.

Contact your local test center to find out more.

IETLS scores are valid for two years after the test date; scores will be considered expired if the test was taken more than two years prior to submission of the application.

Applicants must order one or more Test Result Forms (TRF) when registering to take the test. You are responsible for providing Gnomon with an official TRF of your IELTS. Forms can be sent to:

Gnomon
Attn: Admissions
6150 Laurel Canyon Blvd.,
North Hollywood, CA 91606

No—all applicants are considered for scholarships when they are reviewed for admission. You do not need to submit anything additional.

In order to be eligible for consideration, candidates must be an applicant to a Gnomon full-time program – either our BFA program or our Certificate program. Applicants must have completed all application requirements prior to the corresponding deadline and have no previous record of acceptance or enrollment in a Gnomon full-time program.

Recipients will be notified by the Admissions Office. The scholarship award amount and other details will be included in the applicant’s letter of acceptance.

Yes—all applicants are considered for scholarships regardless of country of citizenship. However, Gnomon Scholarship awards may not be included as proof of funding or be used to reduce the minimum funding amount required on the Certification of Finances Form.