Fashion Scholarships
Pursuing an education in fashion isn’t all about becoming a household name and watching your creations march down a runway. It’s about being creative and refining your talent to not only make yourself marketable, but to learn what works and what doesn’t. From the designers to the stylists to those in charge of merchandising, a career in fashion can also mean a career in big business, so you need to be savvy enough to recognize not only what looks good, but how to present and sell what you’ve worked so hard to accomplish.
There is more to it, and fashion and design enthusiasts can see that. By majoring in fashion, students can realize their creative streak and refine their talent. Unfortunately, there are only so many Giorgio Armanis and Donatella Versaces, so students who want to make it big must work hard. Fashion doesn't stop when class lets out. Internships, travel (maybe even studying abroad), work, and work, and work are all a part of the industry.
Fashion scholarships exist in both the fields of design and merchandising and, as they will be competitive, you’ll most likely need to show a scholarship committee why you’re their best bet for a particular award in the form of designs you’ve come up with or other creative outlets you’ve pursued. Many will be awarded in the form of competitions, so you should be prepared to be judged against other bright talents from across the country. Fashion scholarships through schools specializing in fashion and merchandising will usually take not only your creativity into account but your academic achievements, as well, so it wouldn’t hurt to work on your GPA in between preparing those design portfolios.
We’ve pulled some examples of fashion scholarships from the Scholarships.com database and listed them below. For more examples of fashion scholarships, conduct a free scholarships search, indicating your major in your profile. You can also look for scholarship awards based on other criteria, because if you’re interested in fashion, you’re probably a creative individual who may be eligible to win a number of other scholarships outside the realm of fashion.
Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF) Scholarship Awards
Application Deadlines:
May 31, Annually
Each year, the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation (DMEF), awards scholarships on a competitive basis to undergraduate and graduate students who show a commitment to pursuing careers in direct/interactive marketing. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence and demonstrated interest in the direct/interactive marketing field.
To be eligible for this award, applicants must:
[...] More
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
Application Deadlines:
December 01, Annually
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) for Young Professionals is a full-year work-study fellowship program with a strong focus on cultural exchange. CBYX annually provides 75 young Americans with an understanding of everyday life, education, and professional training in Germany. The program begins in July and includes two months of intensive German language training in Germany (no prior [...] More
FIDM Designer of Tomorrow Scholarship Competition
Application Deadlines:
April 30, Annually
The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) Scholarship Competition is open to all U.S high school seniors or graduates who have not had any prior training in the category of the competition they are entering. In previous years, entrant projects included: creating a promotional plan for a major fashion retailer; designing a poster for a trendy line of sportswear; creating an ideal [...] More
Ruth Whitney Scholarship from Glamour Magazine
Application Deadlines:
January 30, Annually
The Ruth Whitney scholarship is awarded to a college student who has had some experience in writing, reporting or design and who has a demonstrated interest in magazine journalism or publishing.
Eligibility:
- High school seniors who are permanent residents of NY, NJ, CT or PA, attend a high school in one of these states, and will graduate in the summer.
- College undergraduate students who [...] More
Stella Blum Research Grant
Application Deadlines:
May 01, Annually
The Stella Blum Research Grant is intended to assist the research of a current undergraduate or graduate student who is a member of the Costume Society of America and working in the field of North American costume. This $2,000 grant is awarded to the student to provide financial assistance with research; an additional travel component of up to $500 is awarded as a stipend to allow the recipient [...] More
YMA Fashion Scholarship Fund
Application Deadlines:
November 15, Annually
The YMA Scholarship Fund is a national nonprofit association consisting of influential members of the fashion community, dedicated to promoting the education of the fashion arts and business by granting scholarships to talented students and facilitating internships, mentorships and career programs. The fund gives 80 $5,000 awards annually, with an additional four $25,000 awards given to [...] More
WJA Womens Jewelry Scholarship
Application Deadlines:
January 31, Annually
To empower both its female members and students in the jewelry, watch and related industries, the Women's Jewelry Association offers two types of educational financial aid, student scholarship and member grants.
Student scholarships, in varying amounts starting at $500 and as high as $7,000, are available to female students (including WJA members) who are enrolled in fine jewelry and watch [...] More