A Running List of Brand-Sponsored Scholarships for Students Pursuing Fashion

Fashionista
·13 min read

While the dream of pursuing a degree in fashion occupies the minds of many aspiring designers, merchandisers, marketers and other creatives, the reality of funding said education can be daunting. Today, the average cost of college in the U.S. is just over $36,000 per student per year, according to a 2023 report from Education Data Initiative. Tack on student loans (along with rising interest rates), and a bachelor's degree could potentially exceed $500,000.

Navigating how you're going to pay for college can feel disheartening. However, many established fashion brands have responded to the exorbitant cost of education by creating scholarships to help foster the growth of the next generation of industry professionals, from school-specific awards to national contests. Some, such as The Clear Cut Scholarship Fund and CWC Fellows program are specifically focused on supporting BIPOC students often underrepresented in the industry. Many offer mentorship in addition to monetary support, offering valuable insight and opportunity for professional growth beyond the academic sector.

Below, we've compiled a list of fashion-focused scholarships to keep your eye on — many of which are accepting applications now. We'll continue to update this list as more scholarships become available.

General scholarships

Creatives Want Change Fellows

Next Deadline: Feb. 27, 2024.
Qualifications: Current high school students who self-identify as Black, African-American or of African descent after their freshman year can submit an application along with a high school transcript and a photo to attend pre-college summer programs in fashion design. No portfolio is required, but students can include one, along with a website or reference Instagram account. Programs are available to students at all high school ages after the completion of their freshman year.
Amount: Full tuition of a partner pre-college summer program, including any application fees, as well as a stipend for necessary supplies.
How to apply: Visit here; Summer 2024 application linked here.

Gucci Changemakers Scholarship Program

Next Deadline: Feb. 9, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Qualifications: Students with at least two semesters left at the start of the 2024 fall semester at an accredited community college or four-year university, including graduating high school seniors, are eligible; special consideration will be given to those who live and study in one of the 12 Gucci Changemakers Impact Cities and plan to or already attend a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) in North America. Applicants must major in any discipline that demonstrates an interest in the fashion industry, such as design, art, fashion, merchandising, retail, supply chain management, data/CRM, business/finance/marketing/branding, etc.
Amount: One-year scholarship for up to $20,000, based on financial needs, to 12 students.
How to apply: Visit here.

Fashion Scholarship Fund Scholars

Next Deadline: Oct. 14, 2024 at 8:59 a.m. PST.
Qualifications: Full-time sophomores, juniors or seniors (graduating Spring 2025) enrolled in an FSF member school are eligible. To apply, contact the FSF educator at your member school for login details to enter the Case Study Scholarship Competition.
Amount: At least 100 scholarships awarded, totaling over $1.4 million. The four highest-scoring Scholar Finalists in the annual Case Study Scholarship Program will compete for the FSF's $25,000 Chairman's Award, presenting their case studies to a panel of judges. Scholarship recipients may join the FSF Mentor Program to have access to internship and job opportunities; they're also invited to the FSF Awards Gala in New York City.
How to apply: 2025 Case Study Prompts will be published in February 2024; applicants should contact their school's FSF Educator Partner for more information.

Virgil Abloh "Post-Modern" Scholarship Fund

Next Deadline: Oct. 14, 2024 at 8:59 a.m. PST.
Qualifications: Undergraduates of academic promise of Black, African American or African descent are eligible. Scholarships are awarded on a merit basis to students who successfully complete the FSF Case Study Competition.
Amount: More than 30 scholarships of $7,500+ each.
How to apply: Visit here.

School-specific scholarships

Gemological Institute of America: The Clear Cut Scholarship Fund

Next Deadline: Aug. 1, 2024.
Qualifications: Applicant must be a BIPOC woman who has demonstrated a desire to pursue a career in the jewelry industry. Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree at an accredited university, and submit two essays followed by several rounds of interviews with The Clear Cut.
Amount: Full tuition for The Graduate Diamonds Program at GIA, covering both the e-learning and printed course material. The scholarship provides a 6-month paid internship at The Clear Cut and mentorship from The Clear Cut's Founder and CEO, Olivia Landau. Upon internship completion, there will be an opportunity to join the gemology team as a full-time hire.
How to apply: Send application (link here) in PDF format to kyle@theclearcut.co.

Marist College: Ralph Lauren Design Scholars Program

Next Deadline: Starting with the 2024-2025 academic year.
Qualifications: Marist College students pursuing a fashion education are eligible.
Amount: $100,000 in scholarship funds over four years, plus mentorship and development opportunities, for one student.
How to apply: If attending Marist College, contact Student Financial Services.

Parsons School of Design: Disabled Fashion Student Program

Next Deadline: March 15, 2024.
Qualifications: Disabled people with lived experience who are interested in pursuing a fashion design degree and applying to BFA Fashion Design, AAS Fashion Design and MFA Fashion Design and Society at Parsons School of Design are eligible.
Amount: Tuition, living expenses and/or access costs awarded to three students.
How to apply: Visit here.

UNCF-Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation Scholarship

Next Deadline: March 14, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
Qualifications: Black/African American students (U.S. citizens or eligible citizens of an African Country and designated as international students) enrolled full-time as a junior attending the following HBCU institutions, with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale, are eligible: Bennett College, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina A&T State University, Saint Augustine's University, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, Cheyney University, Florida A&M University, Norfolk State University or Wiley College. Application materials include a letter of recommendation from a supervisor also detailing completion of at least 10 hours of community service, a current unofficial/official transcript and a 500-word essay on the topic: "How will you make the dream of a better life for others a reality for people in your community of choice?"
Amount: A two-year, renewable, need-based scholarship of up to $3,000.
How to apply: Visit here.

British Fashion Council Foundation: BA Scholarship

Next Deadline: Applications opening in June 2024.
Qualifications: Students beginning their degree or part way through, who have a confirmed place in a BA Fashion Design course at a BFC Colleges Council member university are eligible.
How to apply: Visit here.

British Fashion Council Foundation: BA Final Year Scholarship

Next Deadline: Applications opening in June 2024.
Qualifications: Students in their final year of a BA Fashion Design course at a BFC Colleges Council member university are eligible.
How to apply: Visit here.

British Fashion Council Foundation: MA Scholarship

Next Deadline: Applications open in June 2024.
Qualifications: Open to students accepted on an MA Fashion Design course at a BFC Colleges Council member university are eligible.
How to apply: Visit here.

British Fashion Council Foundation: MA Final Year Scholarship

Next Deadline: Applications opening in June 2024.
Qualifications: Students in their final year of a MA Fashion Design course at a BFC Colleges Council member university are eligible.
How to apply: Visit here.

British Fashion Council Foundation: Dior Men MA Scholarship

Next Deadline: Applications opening in June 2024.
Qualifications: Students accepted to an MA Fashion Design course at a BFC Colleges Council member university are eligible.
How to apply: Visit here.

British Fashion Council Foundation Chanel: MA Scholarship

Next Deadline: Applications opening in June 2024.
Qualifications: Students accepted on an MA Fashion Design course at a BFC Colleges Council member university are eligible.
How to apply: Visit here.

British Fashion Council Foundation: Joe Casely-Hayford MA Scholarship

Next Deadline: Applications opening in June 2024.
Qualifications: Students of Black or mixed heritage background who have an offer from or are currently studying for an MA at a BFC Colleges Council member university are eligible.
How to apply: Visit here.

Royal College of Art: Ameea Scholarship (Textiles)

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students pursuing MA Textiles at the Royal College of Art.
Eligible fee status: Home fee status.
Amount: Full fees and maintenance.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

Royal College of Art: Anne Tyrell Design Award

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students pursuing MA Fashion at the Royal College of Art.
Eligible fee status: Home and overseas fee status.
Amount: £4,000 towards fees.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

Royal College of Art: Burberry Design Scholarship

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students from under-represented communities pursuing MA Fashion, MA Textiles, MA Print, MA Digital Direction or MA Visual Communication.
Eligible fee status: Home fee status.
Amount: Full fees and maintenance.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

Royal College of Art: House of Fraser Bursary

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students pursuing any MA program at the Royal College of Art.
Eligible fee status: Home fee status.
Amount: £10,000 towards fees.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

Royal College of Art: Logitech Diversity Scholarship in Art and Design

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students from under-represented communities pursuing MA Design Products, MA Fashion, MA Service Design, MA Textiles or MA/MSc Innovation Design Engineering.
Eligible fee status: Home and overseas fee status.
Amount: Full fees.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

Royal College of Art: Marks and Spencer Bursary

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students pursuing MA Fashion at the Royal College of Art.
Eligible fee status: Home fee status.
Amount: £10,000.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

Royal College of Art: Max Mara Scholarship

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students pursuing MA Fashion at the Royal College of Art.
Eligible fee status: Home fee status.
Amount: Full fees and maintenance.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

Royal College of Art: Orla Kiely Scholarship

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students pursuing MA Textiles at the Royal College of Art.
Eligible fee status: Home fee status.
Amount: Full fees.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

Royal College of Art: Osborne & Little Bursary

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students pursuing MA Textiles at the Royal College of Art.
Eligible fee status: Home fee status.
Amount: £10,000 towards fees.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

Royal College of Art: Roger Walls Binns Bursary (Fashion)

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students pursuing MA Fashion at the Royal College of Art.
Eligible fee status: Home and overseas fee status.
Amount: £20,000. If home fee status, full tuition fee and maintenance. If overseas fee status, tuition fee discount.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

Royal College of Art: Roger Walls Binns Bursary (Textiles)

Next Deadline: Apply to become a student at the Royal College of Art by Feb. 14 at noon U.K. time. Eligible students will be notified and invited to apply to available scholarships in April 2024.
Qualifications: Students pursuing MA Textiles at the Royal College of Art.
Eligible fee status: Home and overseas fee status.
Amount: £20,000. If home fee status, full tuition fee and maintenance. If overseas fee status, tuition fee discount.
How to apply: You don't apply directly for individual awards; instead, your application will be marked against the criteria for available scholarships. For more information on available scholarships, visit here.

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