Are you a current or prospective college student interested in studying photography? There are many photography scholarships available to assist you with your tuition costs. Scholarships are awards provided by organizations, businesses, and colleges and universities. They help college students pay for their tuition and accomplish their educational and career goals. With college tuition on the rise around the world, researching and finding scholarships for photography students is an excellent idea. It may seem like a time-consuming process. But it will pay off in the long run. To help get you started, the list below briefly describes 30 scholarships for photography. To see more of our scholarships, click here.
1. The Inge Morath Award
The members of Magnum Photos created the Inge Morath Award. It has received its funding by several photographers over the years. The purpose of this award is to assist one female photographer under the age of 30 with completing her documentary project. Each applicant will be assessed by the photographer members of Magnum Photos as well as a representative of the Morath Estate. After each applicant’s submission is evaluated, a winner of the award and several finalists will be selected.
2. YoungArts Competition
The YoungArts competition is open to artists of various stripes, including photographers. Artists must be currently in grades 8-12. The competition awards so much more than just a cash prize. Winners get access to professional development, residency, exhibition, and performance opportunities. Sure, they gain access to grants and funding. But also are admitted to a private network of winners and patrons. This network is meant to provide support in a variety of forms for the rest of the artist’s career.
3. Janie Moore Greene Scholarship Grant
The Janie Moore Greene Scholarship Grant is awarded to one student each year. The award is distributed by the NANPA Foundation. This scholarship was created by Janie Moore Greene, a successful photographer, and writer. Applicants must be a current college student. They must be studying photography or accepted to a college to study photography. This can be a two-year, four-year, or a graduate institution. The winner of this scholarship grant will receive $1,000 directly toward their tuition.
4. NANPA Summit College Photography Scholarship Program
The NANPA Summit College Photography Scholarship Program was formed by the NANPA Foundation. This scholarship allows college students to take part in a field-based storytelling project. The project should utilize nature photography, marketing and videography. Twelve students are selected to participate in this project. Each will be required to spend a week taking pictures, recording videos, and editing. They will create a marketing piece that a nature center or program may use. Applicants must be at least 19 years old. They must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program.
All majors are welcome to apply.
5. Anchell International Documentary Photography Scholarship
Anchell Photography, Inc. offers the Anchell International Documentary Photography Scholarship. This scholarship is to promote engagement in social issues. The organization wishes to support the creation of socially conscious documentary photography. All undergraduate and graduate college students are encouraged to apply. All majors are accepted. Submissions must tell a story of what is being photographed. They must clearly document a subject. This can be a place, an event, a group of people, a person, environmental issues. The project should express the feelings of the photographer through the photographs. The prize is $1,000.
Brief Content Warning: The above website does contain samples of artistic nude photography.
6. The Dow Jones News Fund Workshop
Since 1968, the Dow Jones News Fund has been featuring a summer workshop annually. The purpose of this workshop is to encourage and inspire high school students. Especially those interested in journalism, to pursue their dreams. The DJNF is aware of the many barriers standing in the way of students who wish to become journalists. So they created the workshop to financially assist aspiring journalists. Each individual participating in this workshop will write and report on health and wellness topics. They will also take photos, record videos, and edit their work.
7. The Ian Parry Scholarship
The Ian Parry Scholarship honors Ian Parry. Ian is a photojournalist who passed away in 1989 while reporting for The Sunday Times. Parry’s picture editor, Aidan Sullivan, along with friends and family, created the scholarship. The scholarship consists of an international photographic competition. The competition is for individuals studying photography full-time or under 24 years old. The competition is divided into two categories. The first is the Sunday Times Award of Achievement. The second is the Canon Award for Potential.
Both competitions have the same requirements. Winners will be chosen based on the strength of their submissions. All applicants must submit a portfolio. They will also include along a proposal of a project that they would like to take part in if they were to win the scholarship. Each winner will be awarded $3,500 toward their project.
8. The James Alan Cox Foundation Scholarship
Each year, The James Alan Cox Foundation provides a scholarship to financially assist student photojournalists and photographers. This scholarship is for talented student photographers or students passionate about photography. Applicants must be in high school preparing to attend college or already enrolled in a college or technical school. The award will be determined based on the applicant’s demonstrated need for financial assistance.
9. Bob Lynn Grant
The Bob Lynn Grant was formed by the National Press Photographers Foundation. It is a grant for student and professional photojournalists who are interested in creating projects to make a difference. This is important to the National Press Photographers Foundation. The Foundation has a tremendous amount of experience with helping. It fully supports the responsibility of making a difference. Applicants are required to create stories that show the sad parts of America, whether local or national. The goal of doing this is to use your photographs and words to make a difference. The winner will receive a $4,000 grant.
10. Bodie McDowell Scholarship
The Bodie McDowell Scholarship is offered by the Outdoor Writers Association of America. Applicants must submit letters of recommendation. They must also submit examples of their work. They also must have specific goals in outdoor communications. Only students studying an outdoor communications field are considered. Eligible fields include photography, film, print, art, and broadcasting. Three winners are typically selected for this scholarship. The scholarship award may vary based on each recipient’s submission. Generally it will be between $1,000 and $5,000.
11. Quill & Scroll Student Scholarship
Quill & Scroll offers multiple scholarships. These scholarships are available to Quill & Scroll members. They are also available to the winners of the International Writing, Photography, and Multimedia Contest. Also included are the Yearbook Excellence Contest and Blogging Competition. All applicants must be freshman college students. They must be pursuing a degree in journalism or a closely related field. Recipients of the scholarship may use it toward tuition or room and board at any college. The amount will be determined based on each applicant’s qualifications. It typically ranges from $500 to $1,500. Scholarship awards will be paid in two installments.
12. Project Launch Grant
The Project Launch Grant was implemented by Center. This is an organization dedicated to advancing the photographic arts. This grant is directed toward exceptional photographers working on a documentary project or a series of fine art. Grant recipients will receive a cash award to help them complete their projects. One winner and two runners-up will be selected. The winner will be awarded $5,000. The two runners-up will receive $1,000 each. Preference will be given to individuals who have already completed their projects or are near completion.
13. Ivan Burnham Scholarship
The Ivan Burnham Scholarship was developed by the Vermont Professional Photographers Association. It is only available for professional members of the Vermont Professional Photographers Association. The scholarship is available only to members in good standing. Members must be paid up on dues. The winner should explain their planned use of the scholarship within one year. And must use it within 18 months.
14. Getty Images Inclusion Scholarship
Getty Images offers the Getty Images Inclusion Scholarship. This scholarship promotes diversity and inclusion in the photography and photojournalism field. Getty Images is partnering with minority journalism and photography associations around the world. All in an effort to offer this unique scholarship program. The goal is to support emerging talent in minority groups. This done by offering aspiring photojournalists financial support to pursue their education. This will hopefully lead to successful careers in the field. Four winners will be chosen. Each will receive $10,000 toward their college tuition.
15. AIGA Worldstudio Scholarship
AIGA offers scholarships for college students studying art and design. The scholarships are directed toward underrepresented and economically disadvantaged college students. They must be pursuing a degree in photography or other design fields. The goal of the scholarships is to increase diversity in the creative fields. The recipients are chosen based on talent, financial need, and dedication to giving back to the community through their art. Around 20 winners are selected. They will typically receive $2,500 each toward their tuition.
16. Brown/Folwell Storytelling Scholarship
James and Rebecca Brown established the Brown/Folwell Storytelling Scholarship. It’s offered by the National Press Photographer Foundation. Undergraduate and graduate college students studying photojournalism are encouraged to apply. Each applicant must submit a portfolio. The portfolio should focus on storytelling in video and still pictures. More information about the scholarship is available on the website.
17. The Alexia Grant Competition
The Alexia Foundation sponsors the Alexia Grant Competition for visual storytellers. The objective of this competition is to expose the social injustices that have been going on for more than three decades. Student and professional photographers are welcome to apply. Winners will be given financial support to produce stories that create change. Each story should aim to make the world a better place. The competition is open to students at the University of Syracuse. The prize includes tuition and fees to enroll in three courses at the Newhouse School. Winners receive a $1,000 stipend and can become a research assistant to the Alexia Chair. The research assistant position is paid.
18. Future Designer Scholarship
Each year, the Future Designer Scholarship is awarded by CardsDirect Inc. This consists of choosing one person to be the designer of CardsDirect Inc.’s next top-selling holiday card. The winner of this scholarship will receive $2,500 toward their college tuition. Their card design will be featured on CardsDirect’s website. To apply for this scholarship, you must create an exceptional design for a holiday card and send it in. Applicants must be at least 17 years old and accepted or enrolled in a college institution.
19. CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation offers the CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship. It provides financial assistance to Black students pursuing an education in the visual arts. The following majors are welcome to apply:
- photography
- architecture
- ceramics
- fashion
- drawing
- graphic design
- painting
- illustration
- sketching
- interior design
- video production, etc.
Ten students are selected to receive this scholarship. Each will be awarded $3,000 toward their college tuition.
20. Kodak Professional Photography Endowed Scholarship
The Columbia College Chicago launched the Kodak Professional Photography Endowed Scholarship. The goal is to financially assist undergraduate photography majors. Applicants for this scholarship must have completed at least one year of college. and have at least one full year of college remaining. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA. They must submit a portfolio of 15 to 20 photos. They must provide a statement of work explaining the photos submitted. The scholarship winner will receive $5,400 toward their college tuition. Half of the award will be provided in the fall semester, and the other half will be provided in the spring semester.
21. Fields-of-Corn Photo Contest
The Fields-of-Corn Photo Contest is funded by the National Corn Growers Association. It encourages amateur and professional photographers to tell a story about farming field corn. Individuals must submit high-resolution photos showing corn growth from seed to harvest. They must also include photos of the families who grow the corn. All participants must live in the United States. The winner will be chosen based on how many Facebook likes are received on the organization’s website. Whether or not you intend to go for the scholarship, check out the website. I guarantee you’ve never seen such beautiful photos of corn fields.
22. National Press Photographers Foundation
The National Press Photographers Foundation offers tons of grants and scholarships. Some of the scholarships and grants are for undergraduate students. Others are open to a wider variety of photographers. Any number of these grants and scholarships might be appealing to you. The goals range from spotlighting environmental issues to a general betterment of human kind. Most of the scholarships award around $2,000. The grants go up to $15,000 but the competition will be fierce as these are open to professional photographers.
23. Pretty Lightroom Presets Annual Scholarship
Pretty Presets for Lightroom offers the Pretty Lightroom Presents Annual Scholarship. It acknowledges the importance of attending college and the role it plays in each person’s professional and personal life. This scholarship was created to help assist college students with their tuition. To apply, applicants must write an essay of 800 to 1,000 words. They must provide screenshots and photos to visually explain their written points. All submissions will be reviewed by judges at Lightroompresets.com. The winner will receive $500 toward their college tuition. Only high school seniors or college students in the United States or Canada will be considered.
24. Chromaluxe X Lucie Foundation Fine Art Scholarship
The Lucie Foundation partners with ChromoLuxe to offer an outstanding scholarship opportunity. This one is for for fine art photographers. This Fine Art Scholarship is available for new and established artists. They must be interested in helping with a fine art project that has already been started. Alternatively they may intend to develop their own project proposal consisting of fine art. The winner will be awarded $3,000.
25. The National Geographic Student Expeditions Scholarship Program
The National Geographic Society offers the National Geographic Student Expeditions Scholarship Program. It’s to provide students with a unique educational experience in the summer months. The scholarship provides learning opportunities and diverse experiences for selected students. Applicants must be enrolled in middle school or high school. They must be legal residents of the United States or Canada. Preference is given to students whose parents’ combined annual income is $50,000 or less.
26. W. Eugene Smith Grant in Humanistic Photography
The W. Eugene Smith Memorial Fund is a not-for-profit corporation. It offers The W. Eugene Smith Grant. Each year, this grant is presented to one photographer in honor of W. Eugene Smith. Smith spent 45 years as a photographic essayist. This grant assists photographers with starting or completing a photographic project. The judges assess project proposals. They then determine who will most likely use captivating photojournalism to address a variety of issues. These include social change, humanitarian concerns, and the human condition. Applicants must submit a 600-word project proposal describing their project. They must provide a biography and CV. They must also send in provisional or ongoing work from a project that could use the grant to be completed.
27. Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest
Annually, the Smithsonian Magazine runs a photo contest. There is one winner chosen along with 60 finalists. The finalists and winner are determined by online votes on the Smithsonian Magazine website. Each applicant entering this contest may submit up to 15 photos for each category (total of 90 photos). The six categories are:
- natural world
- travel
- people
- the American experience
- altered images
- mobile
Ten finalists will be chosen per category. A winner will be chosen for each category. Out of all 60 finalists, a grand prize winner is selected. The grand prize winner will be awarded $2,500. The category winners and the readers’ choice winner will receive $500 each.
28. Marion Barr Stanfield Art Scholarship
The Unitarian Universalist Association offers The Marion Barr Stanfield Art Scholarship. It’s is open to Unitarian Universalist undergraduate and graduate students preparing for a career in fine arts. Eligible majors include photography, painting, sculpture, and drawing. The recipient will be selected based on
- financial need
- relationship with Unitarian Universalist
- enrollment in an accredited college
In addition, the selected recipient will be an individual that the Unitarian Universalist Association believes will promote their values.
29. The Stephanie Amster Design Scholarship
The Stephanie Amster Design Scholarship is awarded by Illinois State University School of Art. It’s for students possessing significant artistic potential and talent. This scholarship is for students specializing in photography, visual communications, or three-dimensional design. Only current or future students of Illinois State University will be considered. Applicants must fill out an application form. They must submit a portfolio. They must also provide supporting evidence to their application. The awardee will be selected based on their overall artistic performance and ability.
30. Nikon Storytellers Scholarship
The Nikon Storytellers Scholarship was established fairly recently, back around 2017. It doesn’t appear to have any dedicated website listing the criteria for each year’s scholarship competition. We advise following Nikon on social media accounts. It appears they have made announcements regarding the scholarships on various platforms. The may also announce the scholarship on the website below. The scholarship awards multiple (up to ten) $10,000 scholarships every year. The program is open to visual arts students at accredited colleges or universities. Students must have satisfactory grades.
Going to college may seem unaffordable, especially for those into the visual arts. But visual arts scholarships are a good way to bridge the gap. As you can see, there are many scholarships available for:
- high school students
- students currently enrolled in college
- graduate students interested in the field of photography
Do your research and apply for as many photography scholarships as possible each year. You may be able to receive help financially to pursue your passion and become a professional photographer.
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