Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in one of the following disciplines: graphic design, illustration, interactive design, or photography, and be enrolled at an accredited college or university in the United States for the upcoming school year as a full-time student. In making selections, jurors consider and prioritize quality of submitted work, financial need, underrepresented and BIPOC students, academic record, recommendations, and strength of written purpose statements. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required and financial need must be demonstrated via FAFSA.
Scholarships are 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 or $750 cash are also awarded. Each scholarship is paid directly to the recipient’s school and applied toward tuition. A one-year AIGA membership is also awarded to recipients. AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships benefit underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students who are studying photography, illustration, and design disciplines in colleges and universities in the United States. Scholarships are awarded annually to encourage social and environmental responsibility and cultural awareness in the next generation of artists and designers.
