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Top 25 Graphic Design Scholarships in June 2023
Graphic design is an incredibly versatile field — graphic design students may go on to find careers in publishing, marketing, corporate positions, freelance work for artists or venues, or even video game design. Graphic design scholarships exist in many forms, including awards for undergraduate, graduate, and vocational schools. These scholarships are a great way for aspiring graphic design professionals to pay for their degree!
Jump ahead to:
- Top graphic design scholarships
- How to win scholarships for graphic design
- Resources for students studying graphic design
- Frequently asked questions
- Additional scholarship categories to explore
Keep on reading to learn more about the top graphic design scholarships for students looking to break into this rewarding field!
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.
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… Easy scholarship from Nitro College open to all high school, college, community and graduate students. Open to all high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. The Foundation for Outdoor Advertising Research and Education (FOARE) Scholarship Program is funded by the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA), an organization that looks to be a… 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… Are you a current or incoming college student pursuing a degree in a printing-related field, graphic communication, or publishing? If so, consider applying for the PGSF Full-Time Students Scholarship! The… The PGSF Part-Time Students Scholarship is open to part-time students interested in a career in graphic communications, printing technology or management, or publishing. Applicants must be enrolled in a printing… TLMI 4 Year College Degree Scholarship Program selection is based on academic achievement, a demonstrated interest in the tag, label and package printing industry, a statement of goals, a personal… Introducing the TLMI 2 Year College Degree Scholarship Program! This prestigious scholarship is awarded to students who have shown academic excellence and a passion for the tag, label, and package… The Support Creativity Scholarship is a golden opportunity for aspiring creatives in select majors who are eager to hone their skills at esteemed higher education institutions in the New York… The WJA Student Scholarships are funded by the Women's Jewelry Association, an organization that helps women in the jewelry and watch industries advance and develop professionally through networking, education, leadership… The AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships are funded by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), an organization that “advances design as a professional craft, strategic advantage, and vital cultural force.” Every… The Knoll Diversity Advancement Design Scholarships for Black Students assists students who identify as black that reside in the United States and Canada who plan to continue their education at… The Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship is funded by the Society of Illustrators, an organization that looks to promote the art of illustration, appreciate its history and evolving nature through… The Coating and Graphic Arts Scholarship aims to provide financial assistance to selected students in colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher learning who are majoring in scientific or technical… Are you a current or incoming college student planning to major in design, marketing, art, film, communications, or another creative field? If so, consider applying for the Gucci Changemakers North… Are you a woman or non-binary college student looking to pursue a career in a creative field? If so, consider applying for the Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship! The scholarship is… Are you a Black or African American college student in the Washington metropolitan area? If so, you may be eligible for the Richard B. Watkins Scholarship! The scholarship is open…Top 18 Graphic Design Scholarships in June 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
Niche $15,000 No Essay Scholarship
Foundation for Outdoor Advertising Research and Education (FOARE) Scholarship Program
Future Designer Scholarship
PGSF Full-Time Students Scholarship
PGSF Part-Time Students Scholarship
TLMI 4 Year College Degree Scholarship Program
TLMI 2 Year College Degree Scholarship Program
Support Creativity Scholarship
WJA Student Scholarships
AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships
Knoll Diversity Advancement Design Scholarships for Black Students
The Society of Illustrators Student Scholarship
Coating and Graphic Arts Division Scholarship
Gucci Changemakers North America Scholarship
Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship
Richard B. Watkins Scholarship
How to win scholarships for graphic design
If you’re applying for graphic design scholarships, you may be required to submit examples of your work that showcase your skills. If this is the case, try to be selective with the pieces that you include in your application. It’s important to showcase only your very best work so that you can put your best foot forward with scholarship committees. Check out our guide on creating a portfolio to learn how to put together a compelling collection of work.
You may also be required to submit an essay as part of your application. As with any scholarship essay, it’s important to demonstrate your passion and goals when applying for graphic design scholarships. Scholarship committees often read thousands of applications, so you’ll want to write an essay that stands out from the crowd.
Fortunately, we have many resources to help you write a top-notch essay. These include guides on writing 250 or 500 word essays, writing an essay about yourself, and writing a winning scholarship essay. You can also take a look at our overview of the most common scholarship essay prompts.
Resources for students studying graphic design
The great thing about studying graphic design is that there are so many resources you can leverage to learn new skills and network with industry professionals. Here are a few professional organizations dedicated to graphic design that you should check out:
American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
AIGA is the world’s largest and most well-known professional design association. This organization offers a host of great resources for graphic design students, including job boards, training tutorials, design competitions, and annual conferences. AIGA offers memberships for students and designers of all types and experience levels.
The Society of Illustrators
Illustration is a branch of graphic design focused on drawing. If drawing is your specialty, you should consider joining the Society of Illustrators! This professional association offers art competitions, educational programs, as well as local meet-ups and annual conferences.
Graphic Artists Guild
This organization is dedicated to helping graphic artists and designers build and maintain successful careers. Members benefit from educational and business resources, virtual and in-person social / educational events, and advocacy for fair working conditions.
The following organizations are also dedicated to supporting graphic designers:
- Society for News Design
- International Council of Design
- D&AD
- Art Directors Club
- Society for Experimental Graphic Design
Frequently asked questions about graphic design scholarships
What college should I go to if I want to be a graphic designer?
The Rhode Island School of Design, Yale University, and Art Center College of Design are known for having strong graphic design programs. That being said, every school has its own specialties. It’s always a good idea to research the department of each school to see if it is in line with your interests and graphic design strengths.
Is graphic design a good major?
Graphic design is a highly versatile major that opens the door to many creative careers. It allows for intersections between the corporate world and visual arts, and can be a perfect field of study to both fuel your passion project and pay the bills.
Do graphic designers get paid well?
Payscale.com found the median salary of graphic designers to be $45,939. Salaries vary widely among graphic designers, as some may work for a small startup, while others could work for a huge corporation. Additionally, many graphic designers are freelance, while others are full-time employees. These factors can all change graphic designers’ pay dramatically.
Explore these other scholarship categories
- Top art scholarships
- Top animation scholarships
- Top scholarships for women
- Top scholarships for college students
- Top scholarships for high school seniors
