Animation Fee: Questions and Answers

Dear students,

We’re writing to share more information about the upcoming Animation course fee that will be implemented next fall. Thank you for submitting your questions; we’ve outlined key details and responses to common questions below. If you have further questions, please contact Academic Affairs at academic_affairs@mcad.edu.

Is the fee per semester or is it a fee for each class taken? Say I take three Animation classes all in one semester.

• It is a fee per class, per semester. So in this example, a student would be charged $150 total for the semester.

When does this fee go into effect?

• This will start in the 2026-27 academic year.

What distinguishes the Animation Lab fee from other concentrations in the Media Arts department's lab access?

• One main differentiator is the Animation Tech position, which other Media Arts concentrations do not have. Another is the software licenses and services dedicated to Animation, including but not limited to Toon Boom Suite, Maxon ZBrush, Cloud Rendering, and others.

Are other Departments or other Concentrations subject to a similar fee that often use Computer labs, workstations, studio spaces, etc?

• All students are subject to the Technology Fee, which funds campus labs, workstations, and related resources across the college. The Animation Lab Fee provides support that goes beyond what these fees cover.

When was this decision made and what was the thought process behind it?

• In Fall 2025, it became clear that the cost of specialized software and equipment was increasing and consuming a larger portion of our budget. At the same time, we recognize the importance of regular investment in the resources necessary to deliver a high-quality learning experience, ensuring students have access to industry-standard tools and materials that prepare them for real-world opportunities. As we evaluated how to address these rising costs, we considered several options, including a flat program fee, a scaled technology fee, and a per-course fee. Ultimately, we determined that a per-course fee is the most equitable approach, as it directly aligns costs with actual resource use.

I did not plan for this fee and can’t cover the cost. What can I do?

• Every student receives a “cost of attendance” letter from Financial Aid. The letter states how much a student should budget each year for materials and supplies. The animation fee is a “materials” cost for those classes. Work with Financial Aid to be sure you are accessing all of the aid available to you.

Why is MCAD charging an Animation fee? Other schools don’t charge a fee.

• Our research showed that many do, anywhere from $2,300-2,505 per semester as a differential tuition for Animation majors, to per-course lab fees of $50 for digital-heavy courses.

Some upper-level courses are more self-directed in terms of medium and software choice. Is the fee tied to the fact that these are required courses within the major?

• All core courses within the Animation program carry a fee due to the specialized software used in these classes.

Will people who aren't animation majors but take the intro class have to pay the fee?

• Yes. The fee is charged per class. Intro to Animation will also be charged a per course fee. Students taking Animation classes as part of their minor will also be charged a per course fee.

How long do you plan to uphold this charge?

• The fee will be implemented in academic year 2026-27, and will continue if we deem it is supporting our facilities and services as it is intended. We will assess its effectiveness and make a determination for continuing the fee structure in the future.

Could we get a better breakdown of what the money will actually be used to improve within the studio?

• In general, it will be used for Animation hardware, software, and support within the studio and across the Animation program to ensure students have access to industry-standard tools, materials, and opportunities. Going forward, we will determine specific spending on an annual basis as needs arise.

Shouldn’t the upkeep of the studio be part of what our tuition is used for? Why is this charge needed on top of the amount you're already getting from us?

• The fee is not associated with the upkeep of the studio only, but for the support, hardware, and software for Animation courses.

Does this only apply only to the computer/animation lab usage, or does it apply to general use of any of the softwares these courses need at all for these classes?

• It applies to both the computer/animation lab usages and the general use of the animation-focused software. See above.

For those that do not use or need the on-campus Animation lab spaces and choose not to use Toon Boom/other software, can these students opt out of this fee?

• All students enrolled in core requirement Animation classes are assessed the fee and cannot opt out.