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Top 12 Animation Scholarships in March 2023
Animation enlivens the world, but how will you give life to your dream of studying animation? Believe it or not, there are ample scholarships for animators. See for yourself with the animation scholarships listed below!
Jump ahead to:
- Top animation scholarships
- Other animation scholarships
- Upcoming animation scholarships
- How to win animation scholarships
- Resources for students studying animation
- Frequently asked questions
- Other scholarships to explore
The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies: If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!
* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
Scholarships360 Exclusive The Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship is open to all students who want some extra help paying for their education. Whether you are a high school student who hopes to… Sponsored Easy scholarship from Nitro College open to all high school, college, community and graduate students. Sponsored Easy scholarship from Niche open to high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Offered by Women in Animation The Women in Animation Scholarship is funded by Women in Animation (WIA), an organization that brings together the global animation community to empower and advocate for people of underrepresented gender… This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications. Offered by Cardsdirect.com Are you an incoming or current full-time college student over 17 years of age? Further, do you have a love for art and the holiday season? If so, consider applying… This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications. Offered by Walt Disney & UNCF Are you a high achieving Black, college junior who aspires to work off-camera in the entertainment industry? The Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program could be a great opportunity… This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications. Offered by IvyPanda The $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship is funded by IvyPanda, an organization “designed to improve the educational outcomes and learning capabilities of students around the world by connecting them with… This scholarship might not currently be accepting applications. Most scholarship programs only accept applications a few months ahead of their annual deadline. We’ve estimated this deadline based on last year’s deadline in order to help you plan out your scholarship applications. Sponsored Open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students. Sponsored Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to high school students in the class of 2024, 2026, and 2026. Sponsored Easy scholarship from Niche open to all high school, college, and graduate students.Top 12 Animation Scholarships in March 2023
** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.
$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
$25,000 No Essay Scholarship
Women in Animation Scholarship
Future Designer Scholarship
Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program
$1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship
$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship
Niche $2,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
How to win animation scholarships
Many animation scholarships require students to submit examples of their work as part of their application. Some scholarships are even set up as competitions in which students showcase their animation skills through a project. As such, it’s important to put your best foot forward and submit a piece of work that reflects your skills as an animator. If you have multiple projects that you’d like to showcase, you should consider putting together a portfolio of your best pieces.
You may also be asked to submit an essay as part of your application. This is your chance to write about why you chose to pursue animation, and what you aim to accomplish within your field. Scholarship review committees read tons of applications, so it’s important to write an essay that stands out from the crowd!
If you need help with your essay, we have many resources to point you in the right direction. We can walk you through how to start and how to end an essay, how to write an essay about yourself, and how to write a 250 and 500 word essay. You can also check out our overview of common scholarship essay prompts (and how to respond to them) if you’re looking for additional inspiration.
Resources for students studying animation
There are several great organizations aimed at supporting animation students and professional animators. Here are a few that you should consider joining if you’d like to further your skills and network with industry professionals:
Society for Animation Studies (SAS)
SAS is an international organization dedicated to the study of animation history and theory. The society holds annual conferences around the world, as well as smaller local events. This is a great group to join if you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of animation.
Women in Animation
This organization’s mission is to advance women in the field of animation. WIA offers job boards, mentorship programs, educational events, and other professional development opportunities for women.
International Animated Film Society (ASIFA)
Founded over 35 years ago, ASIFA is dedicated to supporting and encouraging animation education. The organization hosts a variety of networking events, workshops, and film screenings both locally and internationally.
Animation World Network (AWN)
AWN is an excellent website to follow if you’re looking to stay on top of news and trends within the world of animation. AWN also offers a job board for students interested in animation careers.
Frequently asked questions
Are there scholarships for animation?
Yes, there are a variety of scholarship opportunities for students studying animation. However, you may find that scholarships for animation are nestled within the larger category of the arts. For example, the Academy of Special Dreams Scholarship is open to students pursuing a course of study related to art. And since animation is a form of art, animation students are welcome to apply! Check out our top art scholarships if you’re seeking related opportunities.
What college do most animators go to?
The Savannah College of Art and Design, the California Institute of the Arts, and the Ringling College of Art and Design are ranked as some of the best animation schools in the U.S. That being said, each program is unique and you should do your own research to determine which school is best for you.
Is animation a good career?
Animation can be a fun and exciting career for students interested in the arts. After all, what could be better than seeing your drawings come to life on the big screen? In addition to being rewarding, animation can be lucrative as well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median pay of special effects artists and animators is $78,790 per year. Plus, jobs are expected to grow by 5 percent throughout the 2020s.