Niche College Scholarship

Design Scholarships

Presentation can be everything. If it wasn’t, those culinary geniuses on "Iron Chef" would spend less time making their ingredients match and more time making them taste yummy. It’s hard to be proud of a dish that doesn’t look right and it’s not as fun to give a gift when the bow and paper don’t match. If you don’t believe me, ask the guys from Apple: They used the theory to turn fruit into an empire.

Whether you’re interested in interior design, textile design, graphic design or any other type of design, don’t let anyone fool you into thinking looks don’t matter. Sometimes they do and if you’re a design student, they matter most of the time. Good ads and product designs require creativity (and a background in advertising and marketing) but know-how is just as important. Degrees in design can prepare college students for successful careers in the industry. And while affording an education may feel like an insurmountable problem, it doesn’t have to be one.

A number of scholarship funds have been created with design students in mind. To find information about design scholarships, students can conduct a free scholarship search at Scholarships.com. At Scholarships.com, students will find tips for saving money, college funding resources and, of course, myriad information about scholarships and grants that can help them obtain a degree in design. Check out just a few of these design scholarships below.

Betty Harlan Memorial Art Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    February 1, 2024

The Betty Harlan Memorial Art Scholarship provides educational resources to students pursuing a degree in the visual arts. Applicants must answer the essay prompt: "Considering the background and criteria of this scholarship, why are you the best candidate? Discuss your involvement in organizations and activities that focus on the visual arts." This scholarship has certain eligibility ... Read more

Davidson Fellows Scholarship

  • Amount
    $50,000
  • Deadline
    February 15, 2024

The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards scholarships to extraordinary young people, 18 and under, who have completed a significant piece of work. Application categories are Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box. Davidson Fellows are honored every year in Washington, D.C. with Congressional meetings and a special reception. Applicants must ... Read more

Frederick R. Layton Art Scholarship

  • Amount
    $3,000
  • Deadline
    February 28, 2024

The Frederick R. Layton Art Scholarship is a scholarship available to current Mount Mary students who are enrolled in a major in an arts and design academic area. Multiple scholarships of up to $3,000 each are awarded every year. Eligible applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student in an undergraduate program, have completed at least one college art course at Mount Mary University or ... Read more

LAGRANT Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships

  • Amount
    $2,500
  • Deadline
    February 29, 2024

Each year, The LAGRANT Foundation provides scholarships to undergraduate and graduate ethnic minority students who are attending accredited institutions and are pursuing careers in the fields of advertising, marketing or public relations. The scholarship recipients will receive a trip to either New York City, Portland, OR, or Minneapolis, MN where they will participate in career building ... Read more

GRCF Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Minority Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    March 1, 2024

The Grand Rapids Community Foundation's Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Minority Scholarship is awarded to students of color (African-American, Hispanic-American, Native-American, AAPI) attending a non-profit public or private college or university in Western Michigan, majoring in Fine Arts (including all visual and performing art forms). Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship, be a ... Read more

IFDAEF Scholarships

  • Amount
    $4,000
  • Deadline
    March 31, 2024

The International Furnishing and Design Association offers scholarships to students majoring in interior design or a related design/furnishing program. Scholarships are awarded to both undergrad and graduate students who are currently enrolled in an accredited institution, either full-time or part-time, and studying interior design, furniture design, sustainable design, textile design or a ... Read more

Tom Tolen Educational Scholarship

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    April 1, 2024

To be eligible for the Tom Tolen Educational Scholarship, applicants must: be enrolled in an accredited class or program in an accredited educational institution; be in an approved curricula including architecture, architectural engineering, electrical engineering, interior design, landscape design, theater, or broadcasting, accredited by the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology ... Read more

Alan Lucas Educational Scholarships

  • Amount
    $1,500
  • Deadline
    April 1, 2024

Applications for the Alan Lucas Educational Scholarships may be submitted by full-time students who desire to study propose to pursue lighting education or research as part of their undergraduate, graduate or doctoral studies. Applications for the Alan Lucas Memorial Educational Scholarships may be made by those who will be a junior, senior, or graduate student in an accredited four year college ... Read more

Robert W. Thunen Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    April 1, 2024

Applications for the Thunen Memorial Scholarship may be submitted by full-time students who desire to study illumination as a career. Applications for the Thunen Memorial Scholarship may be made by those who will be an undergraduate junior, senior or graduate student (Fall semester only) in an accredited four year college or university located in Northern California, Nevada, Oregon or ... Read more

Iowa Scholarships for the Arts

  • Amount
    $2,500
  • Deadline
    April 3, 2024

The Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs empowers Iowa to build and sustain culturally vibrant communities by connecting Iowans to the people, places and points of pride that define our state. Throughout our generosity, financial aid is offered. Iowa Scholarship for the Arts is an award to help support student's future arts education. Applicants must be outstanding Iowa high school seniors who ... Read more

CMAA Mid-Atlantic Chapter Scholarship

  • Amount
    $3,500
  • Deadline
    April 14, 2024

To be eligible for the CMAA Mid-Atlantic Chapter Scholarship, applicants must: be actively enrolled in an approved area of study and must have a minimum of one full academic year remaining prior to completing the degree being pursued (graduate and undergraduate programs are accepted [CM, Architecture, Engineering]); how a strong interest in a career in CM, as demonstrated by a response to the ... Read more

CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship

  • Amount
    $3,000
  • Deadline
    April 14, 2024

The CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship is for full time African-American or Black students pursuing a degree in visual arts including, but not limited to, architecture, ceramics, drawing, fashion, graphic design, illustration, interior design, painting, photography, sketching, video production and other decorative arts.

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident who is ... Read more

Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship

  • Amount
    $2,000
  • Deadline
    April 15, 2024

The mission of the Nellie Martin Carman Scholarship is to acknowledge, support, and empower exceptional graduating high school seniors of King, Snohomish, and Pierce Counties by providing financial assistance for an education at their college of choice within Washington state. Over 1,000 of the most promising high school graduates from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties have attended college ... Read more

BHW Scholarship

  • Amount
    $3,000
  • Deadline
    April 15, 2024

Women who are pursuing an undergraduate or master's degree and are majoring in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics during the academic year following the deadline for applications. Applications open in January and are due each April 15th. The winner will be announced on May 15th. We want to give each applicant's submission consideration and cannot do so in the short period we had ... Read more

AAUW Returning Scholar Scholarship

  • Amount
    $3,000
  • Deadline
    April 15, 2024

The AAUW Elmhurst Area Branch NFP is offering grants to local women who need financial assistance to continue their education at the undergraduate or graduate level. An applicant may be studying full or part time and must meet the following criteria: be a resident of Elmhurst, Addison, Bensenville, Berkeley, Northlake, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, or Villa Park; be continuing education after ... Read more

David Barrett Memorial Scholarship

  • Amount
    $12,000
  • Deadline
    April 20, 2024

The David Barrett Memorial Scholarship is awarded biennially to recognize the work of an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student who demonstrates an interest and ability in utilizing classical design elements and traditional materials in their work. Classical design is aligned with Greek and Roman design principals. Please be creative and innovative in how this is translated in your work. ... Read more

ASID Legacy Scholarship for Graduate Students

  • Amount
    $4,000
  • Deadline
    April 20, 2024

The ASID Foundation Legacy Scholarship is open to students who are enrolled in or have been accepted for admission to a graduate-level interior design program at an accredited university. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic accomplishment, creative achievement, and personal statement. Applicants must write an essay on the following subject: "As an interior designer, how will ... Read more

ASID Joel Polsky Prize

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    April 20, 2024

Given annually, the Joel Polsky Prize recognizes outstanding academic contributions to interior design through print or digital communication. This year, the ASID Foundation is seeking submissions focusing on the impact of design on health and wellness. Submissions should address the needs of the public, designers, and students on topics such as, educational research, behavioral science, business ... Read more

ASID Legacy Scholarship for Undergraduates

  • Amount
    $4,000
  • Deadline
    April 20, 2024

The Legacy Scholarship is open to all students in their junior or senior year of undergraduate study enrolled in at least a three-year accredited program of interior design. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic accomplishment, creative achievement, and personal statement. The jury will evaluate entries on academic record, presentation skills, design and planning competency, ... Read more

AAF-Greater Evansville Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    April 21, 2024

The AAF-Greater Evansville awards scholarships to deserving high school and/or college students yearly in April. To be eligible, students must plan to pursue a career in advertising, marketing, public relations or graphic design. The applicant must be graduating from a high school or currently attending college in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Gibson, Pike in Indiana or Edwards, White, Wabash, ... Read more

Microsoft Imagine Cup

  • Amount
    $50,000
  • Deadline
    April 23, 2024

The Imagine Cup Games Competition is a global contest for the best new student games and the winning team will take home $50,000 (US). Create a desktop or tablet game using Windows, or a mobile game using Windows Phone, or a browser game using Windows Azure and you could win big at the Imagine Cup World Finals in Seattle.

Many of our competitions are intended for teams, so you may also need ... Read more

Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation

  • Amount
    $20,000
  • Deadline
    May 1, 2024

The Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation was organized in 1956 by concerned industry leaders as a nonprofit, private, industry-directed corporation to develop and dispense scholarship and fellow assistance to talented young people who are interested in graphic communications careers. Applicants may be high school seniors or students enrolled in a post-secondary program as full-time students ... Read more

TLMI Two-Year Degree Scholarship

  • Amount
    $2,500
  • Deadline
    May 1, 2024

To be eligible for the TLMI Two-Year Degree Scholarship, applicants must be enrolled full-time in an accredited two-year college or technical program in the United States or Canada and must be pursuing a degree in printing. Major course work should include courses which are relevant to the tag, label and/or package printing industry. These courses can include (but are not limited to): Management, ... Read more

TLMI Four-Year Degree Scholarship

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    May 1, 2024

To be eligible for the TLMI Four-Year Degree Scholarship, applicants must attend, full-time, an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada. The four-year college program scholarship is reserved for junior and senior year students only. Major course work should include courses which are relevant to the tag, label and/or package printing industry. These courses can include (but ... Read more

IFMA Foundation Scholarship Program

  • Amount
    $10,000
  • Deadline
    May 2, 2024

The IFMA Foundation scholarship program awards scholarships that range in value from $1,500 - $10,000 dollars, and are awarded to undergraduate and graduate students that are enrolled in facility management or facility management-related programs (FM related programs include, but are not limited to, construction management, architecture, interior design and some engineering disciplines).

To be ... Read more

Betty Stevens-Frecknall Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    May 31, 2024

The Betty Stevens-Frecknall Scholarship is a prestigious national academic scholarship that is not limited to a particular college or university. Recipients must be full-time university students pursuing an academic degree in an information technology field. The selection committee will choose the scholarship recipients on the basis of scholastic ability, leadership potential and financial ... Read more

Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship

  • Amount
    $1,000
  • Deadline
    May 31, 2024

The Against The Grain Artistic Scholarship provides financial assistance and promotion of Asian American college students pursuing a major in the performing, visual arts, journalism and/or mass communications. To be eligible, applicants must: be of at least 25% Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity; be a citizen, national or legal permanent resident of the U.S.; have a 3.0 GPA; have ... Read more

Media Fellows Scholarship

  • Amount
    $5,000
  • Deadline
    June 30, 2024

The Washington Media Scholars Foundation provides the opportunity for college students to gain firsthand knowledge of the public policy advertising world through scholarship and networking opportunities. The Media Fellows program is the Foundation’s essay-based scholarship program, striving to provide financial assistance to undergraduate college students with interests at the intersection of ... Read more

The Fulbright Program

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    Varies

Through our unique international educational and cultural exchange programs, Fulbright’s diverse and dynamic network of scholars, alumni and global partners fosters mutual understanding between the United States and partner nations, shares knowledge across communities, and improves lives around the world. Since its establishment in 1946 by Congress, the Fulbright Program has given more than ... Read more

Trident Technical College Workforce Pathways Scholarship

  • Amount
    Varies
  • Deadline
    Varies

Trident Technical College (TTC) Division of Education is offering a limited number of State-Funded Scholarships for workforce training programs (until funds are expended). This is a separate opportunity from the funds that are available to pay for academic courses at Trident Technical College. The Workforce Pathways Scholarship is funded by the South Carolina General Assembly through the South ... Read more

Last Reviewed: September 2023