50 Top Scholarships For Animation Degrees

Animation has enlivened virtually everyone’s childhood. And it doesn’t stop there, animation plays a role in marketing, advertising, entertainment and high art. Those with a calling to be animators are willing to pursue their art whether the world vindicates their talent or not. And that’s where scholarships come into play. For individuals seeking the best instruction on animation, and not wanting to get deeply into debt to become animators, we have good news! There are many scholarships available to animation degree students. Check out 50 of the most lucrative below.

IMAGE SOURCE: Pixabay, public domain

Worldstudio AIGA Scholarship

• 3000
• AIGA is the design field’s profession’s oldest and largest professional membership organization. The AIGA Worldstudio Scholarships benefit underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students who are majoring in fields of photography, illustration, and graphic design. Basic scholarships are $2,000–$3,000, but the jory may also award a top scholarship of up to $5,000.
• racial-ethnic minoritiers and other underrepresented groups

Peanuts on Parade Scholarship Fund

• 5000
• Sponsored by the Community Foundation Sonoma County, the Peanuts on Parade Scholarship Fund provides funding to students pursuing a degree in cartooning and/or animation. Applicants must be current or former residents of Sonoma County, California. Preference is given to applicants with some professional experience in the field, and to those attending the San Francisco Art Institute, Academy of Art University- San Francisco, California College of the Arts, or The Center for Cartoon Studies.

Aspiring Animation Professional Scholarship

• 1000
• The Aspiring Animation Professional Scholarship scholarship is open to high school seniors in the US who are pursuing a degree in animation or a related field (such as 3D graphics or cartooning) at an accredited post-secondary school or college.

initiAIT Scholarships

• varies (tuition discount)
• The Academy of Information Technology offers the initiAIT scholarship, which is open to new undergraduate students begining on their bachelor’s degree. Recipients get a 50% discount on tuition fees for the first and last terms of their Bachelor’s degree program.
• Australian citizens or residents

Women In Animation Scholarships

• 1500
• Women In Animation (WIA) is devoted to furthering the professional representation of women in the field of animation. WIA offers three annual scholarships to sophomore to senior women majoring in animation.
• women

WIA Phyllis Craig Scholarship

• 1000
• Women In Animation (WIA) is the only professional organization devoted to advancing women in the field of animation. WA offers a $1,000 scholarship in honor of Phyllis Craig, one of their founding members, to full-time female students majoring in animation.
• women

AIE Animation Scholarships

• varies (tuition discount)
• AIE is an Australia-based organization that provides specialized education in games, animation, and film VFX. Students pursuing either their Game Programming Stage 1 – Diploma of Digital and Interactive Games or AIE’s Graduate Diploma of Management (Learning) can apply for a scholarship to defray part of their tuition costs. Schoalrships are awarded based on academic merit and individual need, including medical, fmaily, or financial challenges.

JMC Academy Animation Scholarships

• varies (full tuition)
• JMC Academy prepares students for careers in the entertainment technology industry. The JMC Academy’s animation scholarship covers tuition fees for the first year of undergraduate study towards an animation degree. Students who continue to meet the eligibilioty criteria can apply to have their scholarship extended each year.
• Australian citizens or residents

Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarships in Animation

• 2500
• The University Hertfordshire awards the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship to new international students. Applications are weighed based on demonstrated commitment to the chose major, motivation for studying, and career aspirations after graduation.

Murphy & Cadogan Fellowships in the Fine Arts

• The Jack K. and Gertrude Murphy Award and the Edwin Anthony and Adalaine Boudreaux Cadogan Scholarships provide funding for master of fine arts students. The winner of the Murphy Award recipient is given $40,000, and Cadogan Scholarship recipients are each awarded $6,50. Winners also have their art displayed in a curated exhibition at SOMArts Cultural Center.
• San Fransisco Bay Area residents

SkillsUSA 3-D Visualization and Animation Contest

• varies
• SkillsUSA Championships are competitions that showcase the best talent in career and technical education students. The 3-D Visualization and Animation competitionenvironment where creative output must be accomplished within specific timeframes, resources and design constraints. This is a two-person team event and includes a preliminary written exam. Contestants must produce high quality images and an animated short subject using 3-D computerized images. Students are evaluated on their technical knowledge, production skills and creative abilities – including visual development and storyboarding. Competitors can also interface with and get feedback from high-profile judges with successful careers in 3-D visualization and animation.

Waubonsee Community College Foundation Animation Scholarships

• varies
• The Waubonsee Foundation provides as many as 150 individual scholarships annually based on financial need, academic performance, and community engagement. New and returning commuity students can apply.

Victor Agnoni Visual Arts Foundation Scholarship

• 1500
• Founded by Nicholas Agnoni, The Victor Agnoni Visual Arts Foundation (VAVAF) Scholarship supoorts the advancement of LGBTQ students in the creative arts, including animation. The scholarship is open to graudating high school seniors and those attending accredited undergraduate schools
• LGBTQ

Paul Franklin Scholarship for Visual Effects undergraduates

• varies (full tuition)
• Paul Franklin sponsors one full scholarshp annually for a student studting Virstual Effects (VFX) at Escape Studios, part of Pearson College London. The awardee will have their tuition fees paid in full for the duration of their academic programme (up to four years for students pursuing the integrated Masters).

The Society of Illustrators Animation Scholarships

• varies
• The Society of Illustrators awards aqbout 25 scholarships annually to undergraduates pursuing illustration, cartooning, and animation. Winners also have their art displayed at the Society’s Museum of American Illustration

Randy Pausch Scholarship Fund

• 2500
• The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) offers the Randy Pausch Scholarship to undergraduate students pursuing a degree in fields related to gaming, including animation, design, direction, and programming.

Eamonn Butler Scholarship for Computer Animation undergraduates

• varies (full tuition)
• Pearson College of London awards the Eamonn Butler Scholarship for Computer Animation to undergraduates to enroll in the BA/MArt (Hons) Art of Computer Animation degree taught through the college’s Escape Studios. The winner will have their full tuition paid, and can renew their scholarship throughout their enrollment (up to four years).

Nickelodeon “Nickfluence” Animation Scholarship

• 25000
• The Nickelodeon Animation Scholarship is offered through a partnership between Nickelodeon and non-profit Get Schooled (co-founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Viacomaward). Applicants submit an original animated short film (3 minutes or shorter) for the chance to win a $25,000 tuition grant.
• 17- to 24-year-olds

Disney Animation Program 2019

• varies (paid internship)
• Disney Animation Programs are offered as Apprenticeships, Internships, and Technology Internships, The program is paid, and runs for 8 to 12 weeks. Interns workclosely with a Disney mentor, and get hands-on experience with all areas of animation of art, narrative and film production.

Dorian De Long Art & Music Scholarship

• 2500
• Dorian De Long Arts and Music (DDAM) provides a scholarship of $1500- $2500 to be used for undergraduate tuition, fees, and other school costs. Applicants must enroll as majors in fine arts (including animation) at a college or university in Colorado

Greater Edwardsville Area Community Foundation Fine Arts Scholarship

• 1000
• Up to five students in the Edwardsville Community Unit 7 School district can receive $1,000 towards tuition costs. Students must be Edwardsville high school seniors who plan on majoring in the fine arts, including animation.

Dennis DeToye Scholarship

• 1000
• Students from one of three Edwardsville Community Unit 7 Distric Schools (EHS, MELHS or Fr. McGivney HS) can apply to receive $1,000 towards undergraduateb tuition. Students must be high school seniors who plan on majoring in any of the fine arts, including animation.

Dr. John E. Schloder Fine Arts Scholarship

• 500
• The Dr. John E. Schloder Fine Arts Scholarship is offered to graduating seniors from St. Marys Area, Elk County Catholic, Ridgway Area or Johnsonburg Area High Schools. Applicants must be planning to pursue a career in the fine arts or performing arts.

Jonathan Family Scholarship

• 750
• The Jonathan Family Scholarship is provided through the Community Foundation of Mendocino County. This scholarship is open to graduating Laytonville High School seniors who plan to major in any of the fine arts or architecture.

Danielle Faramelli Scholarship Fund

• varies
• Graduates of Valley View High School in Archbald, Pennsylvania can apply for the Danielle Faramelli Scholarship Fund, which is provided through the Scranton Area Community Fund. Applicants must plan to pursue a degree in art. The scholarship is awarded based on the demonstration of creativity, citizenship, and community service.

Charles Thorpe Scholarship in the Visual Arts

• varies
• The Charles Thorpe Scholarship in the Visual Arts is provided by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin. Applicants must be high school seniors who plan on majoring in art at the University of Wisconsin- Madison. Strong preference is given to Wausau East High School seniors.

Hallam Family Fund Scholarship

• varies
• Seniors graduating from Washington Park High School in Racine, Wisconsin can apply for the Hallam Family Fund Scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and plan on pursuing a degree at a college or technical school focusing on visual art.

Jennifer Manth Foundation Scholarship

• 2500
• The Jennifer Manth Foundation Scholarship is for graduating seniors from South Side High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana who pintend to major in fine arts, performing arts, or English.
• residents of Allen County, Indiana

Sarah K. Folino Memorial Art Scholarship

• 500
• The Elk County Community Foundation supports the Sarah K. Folino Memorial Art Scholarship, which provides funding for St. Marys Area High School seniors seeking degrees in Fine Arts or Art Education.

Jill Gardner Memorial Scholarship

• varies
• The Jill Gardner Memorial Scholarship Fund is provided through the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation. The scholarsip provides college tuition assisdtance to seniors from E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Virginia, in who have artistic talent with formal instruction in Art.

Harry Dunn Art Scholarship

• varies
• The Harry Dunn Art Scholarship is offered through the Chester County Community Foundation to honor the acheivements of illustrator and painter, Harry Dunn. The fund provides tuition assistance for students graduating from a high school in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Helen Barlow Art Scholarship Fund

• varies
• The Helen Barlow Art Scholarship Fund is awarded through the Hudson Public Schools Endowment Fund. The scholarship is open to seniors graduating from Hudson High School who indend to earn an undergraduate degree in the arts, including animation.

Eva Evans Fund

• 500
• The Lansing Educational Association Fund offers the Eva Evans Scholarship to senior students at a Lansing School District High School. Applicants must plan to major in the performing or visual arts, such as animation.

Albert and Freda Eder DeCoursey Scholarship

• The Wabash Valley Community Foundation provides scholarships for students in the region, including the Albert and Freda Eder DeCoursey Scholarship. The scholarship is open to residents of Clay County, Indiana, who have graduated (or will graduate) from a Clay County high school. Applicants must be planning to major in the visual or performing arts.

Hershey Area Art Association Scholarship

• varies
• The Hershey Area Art Association Scholarship mis open to high school seniors who are residents of Dauphin or Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. Applicants must plan to major in art, including animation, vat a college, university, or art training institute. Selections are made on the basis of art portfolio strength.

Margaret Stites Memorial ASU FAME Scholarship

• varies
• The San Angelo Area Foundation offers the Margaret Stites Memorial ASU FAME Scholarship to students of Angelo State University (ASU). The scholarship provides financial support to full-time who major in the field of visual arts.

Pearl L. Harrison Fine Arts Endowment Fund

• varies
• The Pearl L. Harrison Fine Arts Endowment Fund is provided through the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation (AKA-EAF). This scholarship provides support to students attending a 4 year HBCU (historically Black college or university) or to any college student from New Jersey who has completed one semester in Fine Arts or Music. Applicants who are art major must also minor in music, preferably piano.

Eugene Bennett for the Visual Arts

• varies
• The Eugene Bennett for the Visual Arts, which honors the painter Eugene Bennett, is sponsored by the Oregon Office of Student Access and Completion. Applicants must be graduates of a Jackson County high school who swill be pursuing a degree in visual art, such as animation.

Hallie Price Visual Arts Fund

• varies
• The Hallie Price Visual Arts Fund is offered by the Stanwood-Camano Area Foundation. Applicants must be residents of the Stanwood-Camano School District or have graduated from either Stanwood High School or Lincoln Hill High School. Students must plan to pursue a degree in visual art, and may be current college students or graduating seniors. Applicants must show artistic strength and a willingess to share thier skills within their comunity.

MacColl Johnson Fellowships

• 25000
• The Rhode Island Foundation provides the Robert and Margaret MacColl Johnson Fellowship. The fellowship provides as many as three artist fellowships each year, rotating between composers, writers, and visual artists on a three-year cycle. Three Three MacColl Johnson Fellowship Finalists also receive $3,000 each year.

Catherine W Pierce Scholarship

• 4350
• Presented by the United Negro College Fund, the Catherine W Pierce Scholarship supports full-time college students majoring in viusual art or art history. Applicants are judged on the basis of their academic transcript and response to essay prompts on educational and career goals.
• Black/African-American

Teletoon Animation Scholarship

• 10000
• Canadian broadcaster,Teletoon awards the Teletoon Animation Scholarships of amounts ranging from $5.000 to $10,000 to full-time college students studying animation and visdeo. Applicants compete based on their portfolios and an original 5-minute animated film, with the highest awards given to those judged most creative, original, and imaginative.
• Canadian citizens and residents

ASIFA-Hollywood’s Animation Educators Forum Student Scholarship

• 5000
• Animation Educators Forum (AEF) is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of animation through education, and provides the ASIFA-Hollywood’s AEF Student Scholarship. The program provides $2,500- $5,000 scholarships to college students working towards an animation degree. Applicants must be colege sophmores or higher, and graduate students may apply as well.

Support Creativity Scholarship

• 2000
• The Support Creativity Scholarship supports aspiring animators, designers, photographers, illustrators, artists, and painters in pursuing a fine art degree. Applicants are judged on the basis financial need, essay, and portfolio.
• students studying in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or New York

CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship

• 3000
• The Congressional Black Caucaus Foundation sponsors the CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship. Applicants must be full-time college students pursuing a major and career in the visual arts. As many as 10 students will receive $3,000 each.
• Black/African-American

WomenIn Scholarship

• 2500
• The the AIAS Foundation, supported by Intel, funds the WomenIn Scholarship to promote qualified women in the gaming industry. The fund awards 6 scholarships per year for full-time college education in any major that relates to video gaming, such as animation, digital design, and programming.
• women, 21 years or older

The NATAS Trustees’ Scholarship

• 10000
• The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences funds the The NATAS Trustees’ Scholarship, which supports students who plan to work in any area of the television industry, including animation. Applicants must be current high school seniors and should demonstrate that they have made a positive impact through community service.

Against the Grain Scholarship

• 1000
• The Against the Grain scholarship promotes the next generation of Asian American artists and leaders by supporting their higher education. Open to current high school seniors and college students majoring in pursuing a major in the performing or visual arts. Awardees are also invited to attend the organization’s annual charity event.
• Asian and/or Pacific Islander

Reach Honorship Program- Warner Bros. Animation/ Hanna-Barbera Honorship

• 5000
• Warner Bros. awards “Honorships” (internship-scholarship packages) to graduating high school seniors interested in the entertainment industry. The Warner Bros. Animation/ Hanna-Barbera Honorship is specific to seniors who will be going on to study animation full-time in colleghe. Winners are granted four consecutive, paid summer internships at Warner Bros. Studios in California as well as scholarship of $5,000, disbursed over the course of four years.

Arts Graduate Scholarships

• 11000
• The Alberta Heritage Scholarship Fund provides the Arts Graduate Scholarships to master’s level students in the arts. Students must be from Alberta, Canada, but can be studying in any location. The scholarship can be renewed once if eligibility is maintained.
• citizens and permanent residents of Alberta, Canada