30 Great Graphic Design Scholarships for Graphic & Website Design Majors

1. VCUArts: Outstanding Graphic Design Junior

DEADLINE: Spring 2015

Students enrolled in VCU’s School of the Arts are eligible for this scholarship as long as they’re enrolled full-time in the school’s graphic design program. In order to qualify, students must be in their third year of study and must be able to demonstrate excellent design skills, top grades, and other academic achievements within the department. The scholarship application is available offline only, and must be requested from the School of Arts department chair in order for students to apply. Academic transcripts and letters of recommendation may be required.

Contact

Outstanding Graphic Design Junior
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

2. VCUArts: Outstanding Graphic Design Senior

DEADLINE: Spring 2015

The Outstanding Graphic Design Senior scholarship is virtually identical to the one offered to students in their junior year of study. Like that award, this one is available only to VCU students who are enrolled in their fourth and final year of the school’s on-campus graphic design degree program. Students must be able to demonstrate outstanding scholarship and academic achievement, and must be prepared to submit a transcript, a portfolio, and letters of recommendation, along with the application. As with the junior-level scholarship, the application for this one must be requested in person and filed with the department chair.

Contact

Outstanding Graphic Design Senior
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

3. NEHW: The Hospitality Industry Network

DEADLINE: February 1, 2015

The Hospitality Industry Network offers a highly competitive scholarship to students in a hospitality-related field. Graphic design, interestingly enough, does qualify for this award. Students must show demonstrated financial need, sometimes by submitting the FAFSA or a statement of annual income. Along with financial need, students should be prepared to submit transcripts that show at least a 3.0 GPA as well as letters of recommendation that attest to their qualities of leadership and academic prestige at their university. Applications are available online at the NEHW website, with the deadline falling on the first day of February each year.

Contact

NEHW: The Hospitality Industry Network Scholarship
P.O. Box 322
Shawano, WI 54166
Phone: (800) 593-6394

4. Skowhegan Residency Program

DEADLINE: February 1, 2015

Skowhegan is legendary among graphic design students and others in arts-related fields. The program is a mid-summer residency program that brings artistically minded students to a central location in the United States. There, the students work together to develop their skills and solve common problems. Skowhegan is an excellent addition to the graphic designer’s resume and an excellent networking opportunity. Though the tuition for the event is $5,500, scholarship opportunities exist for students with demonstrated financial need as long as they apply before the first day of February in the year they wish to attend the program.

Contact

Skowhegan Residency Program
Skowhegan School of Painting & Sculpture
200 Park Avenue South, Suite 1116
New York, NY 10003-1503
Phone: (212) 529-0505
Email: mail@skowheganart.org

5. Phi Kappa Phi: National Fellowship Award / Lauren A. Woods Graduate Scholarship

DEADLINE: February 32, 2014

Offered through the VCU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the organization for design students, the Lauren A. Woods Graduate Scholarship is designed for upper-levels students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a design-related field. The program requires submission of a portfolio and transcript, and students who have won the award in the past have been able to show a significant rack record of academic achievement, career success, and demonstrated leadership capacity on campus and elsewhere. Though there is no hard GPA requirement, students are typically advised to have at least a 3.0 GPA in order to compete soundly for this award.

Contact

Lauren A. Woods Graduate Scholarship
VCU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi: The Honors College
701 W. Grace Street
Box 843010
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787
Email: rgdavis@vcu.edu

6. Phi Kappa Phi: Wayne C. Hall Undergraduate Scholarship for a Rising Senior

DEADLINE: February 3, 2014

The Wayne C. Hall award is available only to third-year students who will be entering into their fourth year of study. This program requires at least a 3.5 GPA in order to qualify, and students must be both a full-time student and eligible for induction into Phi Kappa Phi during their last year on campus. The award totals up to $3,000 over the course of the student’s final year of study and cannot be renewed should the student require additional semester on campus. Official transcripts, a current resume, and a personal statement must be submitted along with the application packet in order for students to be considered.

Contact

Wayne C. Hall Undergraduate Scholarship for a Rising Senior
VCU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi: The Honors College
701 W. Grace Street
Box 843010
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787
Email: rgdavis@vcu.edu

7. Phi Kappa Phi: Susan E. Kennedy Scholarship for Graduate Students

DEADLINE: February 3, 2014

This $3,000 scholarship from Phi Kappa Phi is open to all design students enrolled in a graduate-level program. Issued by individual chapters of this student organization, students must submit a resume, personal statement, and transcript in order to qualify. Two letters of recommendation must also be submitted with the single-page application available to students online. Applicants must be able to show that their work has helped to advance women in the workplace, and their submission will be evaluated based on both their academic characteristics and the quality of their overall submission.

Contact

Susan E. Kennedy Scholarship for Graduate Students
VCU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi: The Honors College
701 W. Grace Street
Box 843010
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787
Email: rgdavis@vcu.edu

8. Naomi Winston Scholarship in Art

DEADLINE: February 3, 2014

Established by the National Society of Arts and Letters, this memorial scholarship seeks to reward designers and visual industry professionals between the ages of 16 and 22 for their original works of art. The program requires submission of a digital portfolio on a CD, along with an official application and any material works completed by the artist and deemed essential for scholarship qualification. The funds can be used for personal advancement, tuition expenses, or private training, and will be sent directly to the named tutor, teacher, or institution named on the official application. The award totals up to $5,000.

Contact

Naomi Winston Scholarship in Art
National Society of Arts and Letters
Catriona Tudor Erler, President
965 Pintail Lane
Charlottesville, VA 22903
Phone: (434) 953-6780
Email: Catriona@CatrionaTudorErler.com

9. Phi Kappa Phi: School of the Arts Award for Undergraduate Students

DEADLINE: February 3, 2014

Available only to students who are members of the VCU chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, this scholarship rewards students in their third or fourth year of study for outstanding achievement and work within a campus-based design or art program. The scholarship requires a minimum GPA of 3.5 and is considered among the most selective scholarship offered by the school’s Phi Kappa Phi chapter.

Contact

School of the Arts Award for Undergraduate Students
VCU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi: The Honors College
701 W. Grace Street
Box 843010
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787
Email: rgdavis@vcu.edu

10. Phi Kappa Phi: Robert G. Davis Service Scholarship

DEADLINE: February 3, 2014

The Robert G. Davis Service Scholarship is designed to reward students with an exemplary record of serving either the VCU campus or the surrounding community. In addition to the application materials, students must submit a personal statement describing their service activities. An academic transcript, two recommendations, and an updated resume are also required for students to qualify.

Contact

Robert G. Davis Service Scholarship
VCU Chapter of Phi Kappa Phi: The Honors College
701 W. Grace Street
Box 843010
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787
Email: rgdavis@vcu.edu

11. PACME Student Award

DEADLINE: February 25, 2014

VCU graphic design students are eligible for this award, which totals up to $500 and is designed to celebrate on-campus diversity. Students should submit the application, which requires a personal statement and academic transcript, while explaining how their time on campus has been committed to the cause of greater diversity in student programs or organizations. Students who can show how they’ve contributed to better cross-cultural communications on-campus are eligible for an addition award of up to $250.

Contact

PACME Student Award
907 Floyd Ave.
P.O. Box 843080
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-6672
Email: omsa@vcu.edu

12. VCU Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship – Summer Fellowship

DEADLINE: March 1, 2014

Those who wish to spend their summer months engaging in creative thinking and scholarly research should submit the application for this unique fellowship by March 1. The program, open only to graphic design students who attend VCU, will allow for a multi-week, on-campus research and collaboration opportunity. The program requires an academic transcript, letters of recommendation, and extensive essays that show a student’s creative works and potential for strong research and writing while participating in the program.

Contact

VCU Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787
Email: hhill@vcu.edu

13. “Frame My Future” Scholarship Contest 2014

DEADLINE: March 5, 2014

This national scholarship is maintained by DiplomaFrame.com, which awards students with a lucrative scholarship if their creativity measures up. All students are asked to create a picture that showcase how their current studies will impact their future achievement. The most creative submissions win, and an award is announced each spring for the following academic year. The award cannot be renewed, but students are eligible to reapply for the “Frame My Future” contest each year during their undergraduate enrollment.

Contact

“Frame My Future” Scholarship Contest
Church Hill Classics
594 Pepper Street
Monroe, CT 06468
Phone: (203) 268-1535
Email: info@diplomaframe.com

14. VCUarts: Dean’s Scholarship in Graphic Design

DEADLINE: March 7, 2014

Winners of this scholarship are hand-selected by the Dean of the VCU School of the Arts. An application is required, and can be obtained by contacting the design department chair during the first half of the spring semester. In order to qualify for the Dean’s Scholarship program, students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA and they must be prepared to showcase their leadership capacity both inside and outside the classroom on campus. Students’ studies and extracurriculars must reflect similar levels of achievement. The scholarship cannot be renewed, and will be awarded evenly across two semesters.

Contact

Dean’s Scholarship in Graphic Design
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

15. The Akira Ouchi Graphic Design Scholarship

DEADLINE: March 7, 2014

Widely available to all VCU design students, the Ouchi scholarship is available without a formal application. Students who are enrolled in the School of the Arts, and in a graphic design program, will be automatically considered each year as long as they submit their FAFSA. The program is only available to continuing students, however, which does exclude both freshman design students and those who are transferring from another institution. The award renews each year based on academic and financial qualifications and has no minimum GPA required other than the guidelines used to determine satisfactory academic progress.

Contact

The Akira Ouchi Graphic Design Scholarship
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

16. Robert & Joye Ledford Undergraduate Scholarship – GDES

DEADLINE: March 14, 2014

This VCU-based program is available only to students of that university. Furthermore, any student who wishes to qualify for this undergraduate reward must be a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia. There is no formal application process. Instead, the scholarship is awarded based on demonstrated financial need when the student submits their annual FAFSA to the financial aid office. The program can renew each year if the student remains enrolled in their design program and continues to have financial need for the scholarship.

Contact

Robert & Joye Ledford Undergraduate Scholarship
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

17. Vernon Daniel Smith Memorial Scholarship in Graphic Design

DEADLINE: March 14, 2014

Students are automatically entered into consideration for this memorial scholarship as long as they’re full-time VCU students, enrolled in the school’s design program, and able to demonstrate sufficient financial need by submitting their annual FAFSA documentation. The program requires students to have obtained experience in the industry, which can be shown on-campus by requesting academic credit for internships pursued in the surrounding community either during the academic year or during summer breaks.

Contact

Vernon Daniel Smith Memorial Scholarship in Graphic Design
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

18. Philip B. Meggs Memorial Scholarship Fund – GDES

DEADLINE: March 28, 2014

This unique program is available only to graphic design students who are entering their last semester in the School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. The award is given each December and June, based on when the student is expecting to graduate. Those who wish to qualify for the award must submit a formal application that includes academic transcripts, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and proof of off-campus leadership and work experience opportunities that set them apart from their fellow seniors.

Contact

Philip B. Meggs Memorial Scholarship Fund
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

19. Virginia Pride Scholarship

DEADLINE: May 30, 2014

Virginia Pride is the single largest LGBT advocacy group in the commonwealth, and its goal is to award its scholarship to any LGBT student who is either a permanent resident o the state or a student at one of Virginia’s many colleges and universities. The award is given to the student who shows financial need, demonstrated LGBT leadership and advocacy, and on-campus scholarship that ranks highly compared to other students. The program closes May 30 and offers several awards of varying sizes to students in the state over the summer.

Contact

Virginia Pride Scholarship
PO Box 17706
Richmond, VA 23226
Phone: (804) 592-1093
Email: info@vapride.org

20. Fierro Family Italian American Cultural Association of VA Scholarship

DEADLINE: July 1, 2014

VCU students who attend classes at the Monroe Park campus will be eligible for this unique scholarship that celebrates the Italian-American heritage of many of the state’s students. Students must be able to show financial need for the scholarship, along with a solid track record of strong academic performance. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required by the Italian-American Cultural Association of Virginia in order for students to qualify for this award.

Contact

Fierro Family Italian American Cultural Association of VA Scholarship
Virginia Commonwealth University
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

21. American Academy in Rome

DEADLINE: November 1, 2014

There is perhaps no better opportunity for aspiring designers and artists than to study in Rome, where the modern design industry is flourishing and establishing a new global precedent. The American Academy in Rome offers its “Rome Prize,” available to roughly 30 students across the country each year. Those who wish to qualify for the program must be able to show demonstrated academic achievement, hands-on job experience off-campus, and leadership capacity in their role at a university. A full stipend, which includes housing, meals, and associated expenses, is awarded in the fall after the November 1 deadline has closed.

Contact

American Academy in Rome
7 East 60 Street
New York, NY 10022
Phone: (212) 751-7200

22. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship Program

DEADLINE: November 3, 2014

The Jack Kent Cooke award is one of the most lucrative for low-income students who can demonstrate financial need and academic achievement. In order to qualify, students must be able to show an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2, have related work experience, and be entering their senior year on campus. Students who qualify for the scholarship will be awarded up to $50,000 for up to six years of study at either the undergraduate or graduate levels. The award size varies based on the student’s need, the price of their education, and the number of qualified applicants each year.

Contact

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Graduate Scholarship Program
44325 Woodridge Parkway
Lansdowne, VA 20176
Phone: (703) 723-8000
Email: website@jkcf.org

23. Design Sponge Scholarship

DEADLINE: November 14, 2014

Design Sponge is an arts-related blog that offers students a chance to showcase their design talents and earn a scholarship based on their skills. There is a different award for each design-related endeavor, with prizes that range from $250 to $2,500 based on how highly the student places and how many qualified submissions are received by the Design Sponge team. The program cannot be renewed, but students are encouraged to apply each year during their undergraduate studies.

24. VCUarts Undergraduate Research Grant

DEADLINE: November 24, 2014

Students enrolled in the VCU School of the Art are eligible for this undergraduate research award. In order the qualify, students must be in good academic standing and must be willing to contribute a significant amount of their time to research in one of the university’s ongoing studies of interest. The application is due by November 24, 2014, and the program covers several thousand dollars in student tuition expenses during the academic year when they complete the necessary research assistantship.

Contact

VCUarts Undergraduate Research Grant
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

25. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Homeboard Scholarship

DEADLINE: November 28, 2014

To qualify for this award, students who attend VCU must be in their second, third, or fourth years of undergraduate study. The program is also available to graduate students. In addition to academic requirements, residency requirements apply and students must be residents of the Virginia cities of Richmond, Powhatan, Chesterfield, Goochland or Hanover. An application and personal statement must be submitted, and students should have at least a 2.0 GPA to qualify.

Contact

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Homeboard Scholarship
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

26. Hatcher 4-Year Merit Scholarship in the Arts

DEADLINE: December 1, 2014

Only entering freshman can qualify for this award, as long as they elect to attend Virginia Commonwealth University. The program lasts all four years of their undergraduate study, however. Students must maintain no less than a 3.0 GPA and must complete at least 28 credit hours each academic year in order to remain eligible for the funds provided. An application is required, and students are more likely to earn the award if they apply early.

Contact

Hatcher 4-Year Merit Scholarship in the Arts
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

27. Doris Lansing 4-Year Merit Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 1, 2014

Offered by the VCU School of the Arts, incoming freshmen are considered for this scholarship as long as they submit an official application after they have been admitted. Students are considered for this program if they elect to major in design and are able to show sufficient academic achievement during their time in high school by submitting an official transcript and personal statement. The award requires an ongoing GPA of at least 3.0 and completion of at least 28 semester hours each year. If those requirements are met, the merit award is automatically renewed each year until graduation.

Contact

Doris Lansing 4-Year Merit Scholarship
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

28. Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship

DEADLINE: December 1, 2014

The Kate Neal Kinley award offers up to $20,000 in scholarship funds to music students and those involved in architecture. For graphic design students, the maximum award stands at $9,000. To qualify, applicants must show good moral character and demonstrate a consistent pattern of high achievement within their major. The scholarship is available to any student enrolled in an accredited, full-time or part-time institution with one of the relevant majors.

Contact

Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship Committee
College of Fine and Applied Arts
University of Illinois
100 Architecture Building
608 E. Lorado Taft Dr.
Champaign, IL 61820
Phone: (217) 333-1661
Email: faa@illinois.edu

29. Michael B. Huntley 4-Year Merit Scholarship

DEADLINE: December 4, 2014

All students who apply as freshmen to the School of the Arts at VCU are considered for this four-year merit award. Their eligibility will be based on their high school GPA and other documents that show leadership prior to campus attendance. To receive the award for all four years, a 3.0 GPA must be maintained. Students must take at least 28 credits per year in order to continue receiving the scholarship funds as part of their annual aid package.

Contact

Michael B. Huntley Merit Scholarship
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

30. VCU Dean’s International Study Grant

DEADLINE: January 23, 2015

This unique international scholarship is open only to students of Virginia Commonwealth University. The award is given to students taking part in a non-VCU international program, and requires both a cumulative 3.0 GPA and a major-specific GPA of at least 3.5. The student must show evidence of enrollment in an international program and must provide transcripts, a personal statement, and recommendations in order to be considered for the award money.

Contact

Dean’s International Study Grant
Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts
325 North Harrison Street
PO Box 842519
Richmond, VA 23284
Phone: (804) 828-2787

Tuition costs are going nowhere but up, but graphic design students who take a bit of initiative can offset those costs in a dramatic way. Those who wish to minimize their student debt load have a large number of prestigious, lucrative scholarships for graphic design to choose from that will vastly improve their debt load and long-term fiscal stability after they complete the program and seek full-time employment in the industry.

Related Resources: