Todd Sumamno
It’s never too late to learn new things or grow your skills in what you love. Graphic designers are those who couldn’t be better to understand this principle:
Whether in art or design, you should keep learning to stay on track with fast-evolving changes in the niche, new trends coming and going at light speed, and demands a job market makes on your profession. Graphic design scholarships are among the top instruments to try for that.
Why scholarships in graphic design?
A graphic design scholarship is a financial aid package offered to students willing to make it their profession. Usually, this money comes from colleges to help aspiring graphic designers pay for study. However, scholarships are for more than just those applying to universities.
As academic writers from customwritings.com rightly note, some scholarships may come from design companies willing to train their employees or from independent philanthropists. The latter may support Design majors, helping them make connections in the industry.
There are also many scholarships that don’t have any rules for applying. Even if you’re not a graphic design student, your interest in the niche and the desire to join it will be enough to compete for a scholarship. Just think about a compelling way to demonstrate your interest to convince a committee that you’re worth their financial aid.
Top 5 graphic design scholarships to apply for in 2024
Graphic design is an attractive niche to join this year. According to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data, the median wage for graphic designers was $57,990 in 2022. Given the niche popularity, the competition will grow, and many newcomers will join it in a few years.
If you are among those who have been thinking about professional growth as a designer, now is the best time to start. Why not apply for a scholarship and take the first step toward realizing this goal?
Below are your top five graphic design scholarships to apply in 2024.
1. TLMI Four-Year College Degree Scholarship Program
- Award: $5,000
- Deadline to apply: April 5, 2024
This scholarship is for you if you’re a full-time undergraduate college student (3d-4th year of study). There will be six winners based on their academic achievements, demonstrated goals, and personal interviews with a committee.
All you need to do to apply is to have courses in Sales/Marketing, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or Management, have a 3.00 GPA minimum, and submit the form with all the required documentation on time.
2. Against the Grain Artistic Scholarship
- Award: $1,000
- Deadline to apply: May 7, 2024
The Against The Grain Artistic scholarship will go to one Asian-American college student in Visual Arts, Journalism, or Mass Communications. They will check applicants’ academic performance, letters of recommendation, a portfolio (provide up to 10 art pieces), and an essay.
The 750-word essay should answer the “How does (your) art affect change in a community?” question. Submit it with other required documents via email. Also, be ready for a phone (or in-person) interview with a committee.
If you win, the money will go to your educational institution for tuition or other related fees.
3. Barnes Scholarship
- Award: $15,000
- Deadline to apply: October 21, 2024
Four winners will be here, and each will receive the award annually for four years while they are in college to study graphic design. You can apply for the Barnes scholarship if you are a high school senior with a GPA of 3.0 or better and you’ve overcome significant challenges in your life.
The application process consists of three parts.
First, provide your basic information: contacts, test scores, and a college of your choice (mention at least six).
Then, prepare and send a resume mentioning all your credentials: academic honors, employment awards, extra activities like sports or volunteering, etc.
Finally, write an essay about the most substantial challenge you had in your life. Tell them how you overcame it and ensure you structure this essay according to the rules of academic writing.
4. Target Scholarship & Mentorship Experience
- Award: $2,500
- Deadline to apply: November 4, 2024
You can become one of two winners if you are a full-time Interior Design or Architecture student in the United States or Canada. Those chosen get the opportunity to learn from experts at the Target Corporate Offices.
How to apply?
Visit their website and submit your application form with the following documents: a letter of explanation (no longer than 600 words, PDF format) telling about yourself and why you want to build a career in design; your 6-page Project Folio; one reference from your professor, faculty member, or employer.
5. Travel Safe Abroad Scholarship Program
- Award: $1,000
- Deadline to apply: December 31, 2024
Travel Safe Abroad is a team of travelers who decided to offer a scholarship one student can use for educational costs. Their requirements are simple: Be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student.
Write a 1,200-word essay on “How to stay safe when you travel abroad” and send it in a Word format via email with your personal information. Be creative, impress them with your writing, and you’ll have a chance to get that award.
Ready to boost your graphic design skills?
We hope the above graphic design scholarships will motivate you to finalize your plans for your career in the niche and choose the most appropriate path toward it. Will you apply to any in 2024?
Even if scholarships aren’t your way to learn things, please don’t stop your professional and personal growth. In graphic design, you can find many options to boost skills and network with experts: online courses, seminars and conferences, freelance projects, communities — your design inspiration will find you everywhere. Just keep watching!
