Animation Scholarships
Cartoon and Illustrate Your Way to a Career
Animation programs are often an integral part of a good art and design program. Students participating in animation programs are often required to complete general coursework in graphics and computer design along with traditional illustration, film and photographic techniques.
Professionals may pursue careers in film, television, commercial advertising and design as well as business and industry. Be prepared to go head-to-head with ultra-talented students who fiercely vie for the most competitive positions in notable studios and design firms.
Besides the scholarship programs we have found, make sure to explore opportunities at any art school that offers an animation degree.
Scholarship Programs
Animation students studying in the Film Studies program at the University of Colorado-Boulder are part of a very competitive program. Students regularly win internships at the venerable Sundance Institute. Animation students may apply for University Research Opportunity Grants that help fund thesis work. Students who show financial need may also receive Student Fellowships for travel to national seminars and conferences related to film and animation.
Worldstudio Foundation is not-for-profit organization whose mission is to encourage and develop the careers and interests of artists. One primary goal is providing scholarships to a wide array of students enrolled in all kinds of art programs, including animation students. Worldstudio gives preference to students demonstrating a combination of talent in their field as well as economic disadvantage, the more socially engaging the work, the better.
Rhythm and Hues, a company specializing in high-level computer graphics, also sponsors some very competitive scholarships. Students studying graphics modeling and computer animation may compete for generous tuition support. The company's goal is two-fold: provide educational resources particularly for talented students whose economic background could seriously stunt their professional growth, and recruiting top talent for their busy studio.
Interested in character animation or game development animation? The Art Institute of California-San Francisco provides a well-rounded arts program in game development and animation studies designed to train commercial artists who are prepared to compete with the best practicing artists and hit the ground running in a commercial studio environment. Students applying for acceptance into the Media Arts and Animation program may apply for scholarships that provide a generous bulk of tuition funding based on need and creative talent. Auxiliary student competitions include:
- Animation students may also compete for the HP/Saytek Animation Competition. Students with a talent for the art form may submit a short animation film for judging. Awards provide full travel expenses for the SIGGRAPH annual conference.
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services sponsored Teddy Project is made possible in conjunction with the national AI schools. Students in all locations may participate in the project, which is designed to generate a full 60-second public service announcement in an animated format.
Not to be confused with the previous, the San Francisco Art Institute provides an impressive array of scholarships for students, including those pursuing the Design and Technology track. This program of study offers skills courses in animation that are built off a foundation in design and computer graphics, film and photographic technologies and methods:
- Undergraduate Competitive Scholarships are an automatic consideration given to every new applicant. The selection is based on a range of criteria including academic record, financial need and certainly portfolio of work submitted.
- Freshman Competitive Scholarships may award up to a whopping $15,000 to recipients. Outstanding academics and promising portfolio combine in the selection process. Students who can maintain a superior academic record and produce consistently innovative and creatively impressive work may receive the same award for the duration of their degree.
- Dean's Scholarships also bestow monetary riches to academically talented students. Recipients earn a maximum $32,000 for a four-year program.
- Osher Memorial Scholarships are not exclusive to SFAI, but are an integral part of their financial support program. New students must come into the program with a 3.25 GPA and be able to maintain that to be eligible. Up to $22,000 available over the life of a four-year degree program.
In memory of a beloved colleague and talented animator, the Women in Animation organization established the Phyllis Craig Scholarship Fund for female student animators. Talented students may vie for the $1,000 awards, which also include a membership to the organization.
