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Top Video Scholarships in January 2023
There are scholarships out there that want you to express yourself via video. If you enjoy making videos to communicate a message, you may as well do so and earn a scholarship while you’re at it! So if you want to showcase your video work in order to gain financial help with school, then these video scholarships are for you. Check out our list of top video scholarships and start filming today! And if you are a prospective or current film student, you won’t want to miss our list of top film scholarships.
Jump ahead to…
- Top video scholarships
- Tips for making a winning video
- Frequently asked questions about video scholarships
- Explore these additional categories
Top video scholarships
Project Yellow Light/Hunter Garner Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to high school upperclassmen and college students who submit a video, billboard design, or radio spot to encourage safe driving habits.
- Amount: $8,000
- Deadline: Varies
CJ Pony Parts Scholarship Video Contest
- Eligibility: Open to high school seniors who submit a video about Mustang and are planning on enrolling in a post-secondary institution next semester.
- Amount: $500
- Deadline: April 15th & October 15th, every year
Young Filmmakers Contest
- Eligibility: Open to students in grade 3 through age 25 who submit a short video talking about climate and environmental action.
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: June 25, 2023
Knoji Corporate Responsbility & Brand Values Scholarship
- Eligibility: Open to college students who submit a short video about a brand they support and why.
- Amount: $1,500
- Deadline: Biannual
Tips for making a winning video
- Practice and perfect your script thoroughly before you even think about shooting. Practice giving your speech to friends and family member so you have a natural repertoire worked up before you even get in front of the camera
- Memorize your script well enough that you are not relying too heavily on reading when you shoot your video
- Try to make sure you have good lighting when shooting your video. Even though the scholarship may not be entirely decided based on shooting quality, it can help keep the judges interested and show that you put effort into it
- Make sure to read the rules thoroughly. They often will state if they prefer a webcam-shot video or one shot by a friend or family member. They often also include length requirements, and potentially a format requirement for submission
- Put effort into your editing. If the rules allow for it, make a nice title card and show that you’ve created a polished product
Frequently asked questions about video scholarships
Can you get a scholarship for videography?
Yes, you can! While this list is primarily aimed towards scholarships for any subject that involve a video component, there are also film scholarships. These are aimed towards students who intend to study film and videography. Our list of film scholarships is a great place to start when looking into this.
Do I need to major in film to get a video scholarship?
You don’t! There are video scholarships out there for any subject. This list contains video scholarships for students majoring in journalism, visual arts, and many that are open to studnets of any major. The only thing that makes a video scholarship is that your application will include a video.
How should I dress for a scholarship video?
The answer to this question can vary slightly based on the specific scholarship and the impression you want to give. However, a safe bet is usually dressing business casual. You can always dress more formal than this if you like, but usually, you shouldn’t be less formal. Remember that how you dress can help you stand out to the scholarship reviewers. If you have any formal clothes with an especially noticeable flair, you may consider wearing them to leave a strong impression, as long as they are appropriate.
Will I be penalized if I don’t have a good camera for video scholarships?
Most video scholarships will not outwardly penalize you for bad camera quality. They are more interested in the message you are getting across than how polished it is. That being said, presentation will probably have an unconscious effect on the reviewers, and anything you can do to ensure its clarity can be a good idea. This can be as easy as finding a visually appealing background and good lighting. You might also try to borrow a camera or use one at your high school, if possible.
Upcoming video scholarships
Breakthrough Junior Challenge Scholarship
- Eligibility: Students ages 13 to 18 who create a physics, life sciences, or mathematics video project
- Amount: $250,000
- Opens: April 2023
