AIGA Worldstudio Scholarship

The AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships program helps students achieve their educational goals and give back to their communities through their work. Since its inception in 1995, nearly $1.4 million dollars has been awarded to more than 800 college students of art and design.

Who is this scholarship for?
• Students enrolled full-time at a U.S. college or university during the 2023/2024 academic year, undergraduate or graduate level
• Students who are majoring in photography, illustration, or design with a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Students with positive social agendas and financial barriers
• Students who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, military or veterans, neurodivergent, or with disabilities

We encourage you to share this opportunity with an eligible design student today!

This is your go-to guide containing all you need to know about eligibility, the application and portfolio requirements, selection and notification process, required financial documentation, and more for your AIGA Worldstudio Scholarship application.

The application for the 2023/2024 academic school year will officially open on February 14, 2023. The deadline to apply is April 7, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. PT. All deadlines are final. Exceptions will not be made. Please be sure to read the application instructions in full.

Students will be notified of award status in July/August. Awards will be announced in October (subject to change).

Scholarships are typically awarded in amounts of $2,500–$3,750. One or two top awards may be given in an amount up to $5,000 at the jury’s discretion. Honorable mention prizes in the amount of $500–$750 cash are also awarded. A one-year AIGA membership is also awarded to recipients.

Eligibility Requirements
Education

NEW! Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in the disciplines of graphic design, illustration, or photography. Note: Apply in the category that best matches your major.
Applicants must be matriculated (or planning to matriculate) at accredited colleges and universities in the United States for the Fall 2023/Spring 2024 academic year and must maintain full-time status for the entire year.
Citizenship

Applicants must be citizens of the United States or be in possession of a Green Card (formally known as a Permanent Resident Card or Form I-551).
Additional Criteria

Financial need and talent are primary factors in the review and selection process.
Applicants must provide complete financial aid information with confirmation from the school’s financial aid officer.
A Portfolio of work samples and a written statement of purpose must also be provided to demonstrate talent and commitment to giving back to the community. A.I. Generated or Assisted art is not eligible. We will not consider A.I. text-to-image generated work samples or self-portraits.
Though not a requirement, diversity is a significant factor considered in jury decisions. AIGA considers race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability and disability, age, and other factors (e.g., military service) that shape creative perspective and professional experience when reviewing applications.
FOLLOW US

2023–2024 Application Cycle
Application opens
February 2, 2023

Application closes
April 7, 2023

Earliest notification
July 2023

Earliest announcement
October 2023

Apply Now
Resources
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Application Guide & FAQs
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AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships

Scholarship Application Components
In order to complete an application, you must have an AIGA account. Setting up an account is free. You can request a password to see if you have an existing account, and you can create a new account when you click Apply. AIGA Membership is encouraged, but it is not a requirement. Juror decisions are not based on membership status.

To edit your application, you may log back in until the deadline of April 7, 2023. All deadlines are final

1. Applicant Information
Name
School ID
SSN (may be required for tax purposes only if you are selected for an award)
Date and location of your birth
Racial/ethnic identity
Current address (during the academic year)
Permanent address (in-between semesters)
2. School Information and Transcripts
3. Financial Information
4. Written Statement of Purpose
5. Self Portrait and Portfolio Requirements
6. Letters of Recommendation