Interior Design Scholarships
Combine Your Talent with People Skills and Project Management
Interested in the design and aesthetics that go into creating an interior? Interior Design majors typically possess a strong desire to design and conceptualize forms, textures and colors especially as they apply to interior spaces. Those spaces may be residential, industrial or commercial.
Students pursuing a major in Interior Design may earn baccalaureate or graduate degrees and are engaged in curricula including: design history, drawing and technical illustration, architectural concepts, graphic design, lighting and design materials.
Professionals in the field typically start at the bottom of the ladder, like other creative careers, the pay is little regardless of talent. Interior Designers collaborate with other professionals including contractors, architects and decorators. They must have impeccable people skills, an aptitude for project management and a head for business.
Scholarship Programs
The American Society of Interior Designers sponsors very competitive scholarship programs and student design competitions.
- Student Design Award Competitions reward outstanding student work with $1500 and travel expenses for the annual Interiors conference. Winning student work is showcased on the ASID website.
- Metropolis NextGeneration Design Competition is sponsored by Metropolis magazine a slick, glossy industry publication that showcases the most innovative work of architects, interior designers and interior architects. The annual competition is open to all, including students and prize money is $10,000.
The International Design and Furnishings Association sponsors student education. The IDFA is an international collection of professionals in all aspects of interior architecture and design including those in commercial and industrial fields. Scholarship and awards include:
- Charles D. Mayo Student Scholarships gives up to $1,000 to students enrolled in an interior design program. Selection is based on GPA and a personal statement on career and educational goals.
- IDFA Student Scholarships go to student members who demonstrate outstanding potential in the field of interior design. Awards are $3,000 and students must be recommended by a faculty member.
- Vercille Voss Scholarship is given to a graduate student member in the interior design field. Eligible applicants must have a letter of recommendation from a faculty member, provide a record of GPA and prepare a short essay that outlines career and educational goals.
- Ruth Clark Scholarship is designed for interior design students whose main interest is in furniture design. $1500 awards are given to outstanding applicants.
The College of Design at Iowa State University offers a number of scholarships specifically for its Interior Design majors. The advantage to a diverse design program such as that offered at ISU is the ability to collaborate with students in other design disciplines:
- International Facility Management Association-Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter sponsors an annual $1,000 scholarship for industrial design or interior design students. Candidates must have letters of recommendation from faculty, a professional resume and essay on facility management in relation to their field of study.
- Lori Beard Raymond Interior Design Scholarships go to upper level undergraduates who are getting ready to fulfill internship requirements. Applicants must conduct their internships in a major city giving them access to the best levels of professional talent. Candidates must have a financial need for the award. Funds provide expenses for the internship.
- Sandy Rogers May Interior Design Scholarships are given to students who will be studying abroad in the Rome interior design program. Funds cover travel expenses.
Interested in a small, metropolitan campus in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina? Small, but reputable Meredith College offers a couple dozen scholarships to students including the Sandra Graham Shelton Scholarship in Interior Design. This is a competitive scholarship and is basically an invitation to attend Meredith. High school seniors interested in interior design are encouraged to apply for consideration. Candidates are judged on the basis of a panel interview and a presentation of creative work. Those chosen are offered the scholarship.
Indiana University-Bloomington provides a comprehensive interior design program for students seeking the Bachelor of Science or the Master of Science. Course work in the undergraduate program includes a history of interior design, basic drawing and illustration with traditional and digital equipment, and lessons in design components such as materials and lighting. M.S. students explore curricula at a deeper level and complete thesis work. IU offers the following scholarships in interior design:
- Dorothy Helmer Award is given to a creatively outstanding student. Recipients are chosen for their portfolio of work, indicating student must be in an upper level to be considered.
- Pygmalion Awards go to interior design students whose best work is done in the graphic design phase.
