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Program NewsFashion Design

Fashion Scholarship Opportunities

Nicole Murphy
October 8, 2020
7 min read

Updated: 11/3/2020 @ 3:30PM

 

Welcome to the Thomas Jefferson University Fashion Design + Fashion Design Management Program Scholarship Resource Guide.  This guide will allow you to access the most current and coveted design scholarships and competitions from around the globe. Our Faculty and Industry Mentors are here to offer you guidance as you navigate and apply for these esteemed scholarships. Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

 

  • Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF)
    • https://www.fashionscholarshipfund.org/
    • The Fashion Scholarship Fund is dedicated to supporting the careers of promising fashion school students. Each year, FSF awards over $1.2 million to help students succeed in all areas of the fashion industry
    • CRITERIA:
      • Minimum overall GPA of 3.2
      • Must be a full-time sophomore, junior, or senior student at a FSF member school
      • Seniors graduating in December 2020 or January 2021 can still apply
      • Contact Carly Kusy for more details
    • PRIZE: $5000 scholarship awarded to multiple recipients; top finalists may compete for higher prizes
    • OFFICIAL DEADLINE: OCTOBER 12,2020 *Must email Carly Kusy Carly.Kusy@jefferson.edu if interested in applying*

 

  • CFDA Scholarship
    • https://cfda.com/programs/students/gucci-changemakers-x-cfda-scholars-by-design-award
    • The Council of Fashion Designers in American (CFDA) sponsors a scholarship every year for its CFDA partner schools. CFDA have not released the project prompt for 2020 yet.
    • CRITERIA:
      • Full-time, year-three undergraduate fashion student of an American college or university
      • Accepted specializations include: Apparel, Accessories, Jewelry, Materials, Technical Design
      • The CFDA will accept up to 10 submissions per school as endorsed by the school’s Dean, Chair, Director or equivalent.
    • PRIZE: Award (2) $25,000 scholarships each year
    • OFFICIAL DEADLINE: TBA (usually spring semester)

 

  • Black Talent in Design and Fashion Fund
    • https://www.blacktalentfund.com/
    • Black Talent in Design and Fashion Fund’s initiative is to directly fund Black students studying to enter the fashion or footwear industries.
    • CRITERIA:
      • Full time undergraduate of color enrolled in accredited college/university
      • Fashion design and management majors eligible
      • Culminative GPA of 2.5+
    • PRIZE: One $500 scholarship awarded
    • APPLICATION DUE DATE: 9/30/2020

 

  • Eileen West/ UFC
    • https://underfashionclub.org/
    • Each year since 2018, the Under Fashion Club (UFC) has sponsored a scholarship competition for Thomas Jefferson Fashion Design students in memory of late sleepwear designer Eileen West.
    • CRITERIA:
      • For junior level students only
      • Applicant must have overall GPA of 3.0 or higher in most recently completed semester.
      • Applicant must submit all documents required (Application, Resume, Personal Statement, Illustrations) by the specified deadline.
      • Applicant must be interviewed by members of the SAIG Committee representing the Underfashion Club, Inc. For the interview applicant should bring his/her portfolio and 2-3 projects.
    • PRIZE: Scholarship amounts have historically been awarded up to $15,000; multiple winners
    • APPLICATION DEADLINE: TBA (usually December)

 

  • Make It with Wool Contest
    • https://makeitwithwool.com/
    • National Make it with Wool is a once a year sewing and design competition that is supported by the American Sheep Industry. A fashion design competition is sponsored specifically for college students in fashion design majors.
    • CRITERIA:
      • Only students currently pursuing a degree in a college-level fashion or apparel design program may participate.
      • Garment may be created for the participant or another/ model.
      • See website for fabric requirements
    • PRIZE: Winner will receive a $1000 scholarship from the American Wool Council and a trip to the Make It with Wool Sewing Contest in January.
    • APPLICATION DEADLINE: Must be postmarked by November 1, 2020.

 

  • Martinson Fund
    • Jefferson students only. Students can apply through InfoReady
    • This grant is made possible by the generosity of Eileen Martinson, alumna (Class of ’86) and chair of our Board of Trustees. The Martinson Capstone Awards provide funding for students to use as part of their projects. Capstone projects and similar junior and senior level major projects will be considered.
    • CRITERIA:
      • Must be a junior or senior student working on capstone project to apply
      • Must have the support of at least one faculty member
    • PRIZE: Can apply for specific funding amount
    • APPLICATION DEADLINE: TBA

 

 

  • Joe’s Black Book Scholarship Competition
    • https://www.joesblackbook.com/scholarship/project-brief
    • Joe’s Black Book is an organization within the fashion industry that looks to connect companies to freelancer and other collaborators. This scholarship seeks to support the next generation of designers.
    • CRITERIA:
      • Junior level students only
      • Must specify womenswear or menswear design
    • PRIZE: (2) $10,000 scholarships- one for womenswear and one for menswear
    • APPLICATION DEADLINE: TBA- usually early spring

 

  • Gucci Changemaker
    • https://equilibrium.gucci.com/gucci-changemakers-north-america-scholarship-programs/
    • The Gucci Changemaker fund aims to provide scholarship opportunities to diverse undergraduate students with unmet financial need interested in the fashion industry.
    • CRITERIA:
      • Open to graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled undergraduate students attending an accredited four-year college or university in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree within North America.
      • Scholarship amount based on unmet financial need and students can reapply each year
    • PRIZE: up to $20,000 each year
    • APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 29, 2021
  • Season Zero
    • https://www.fredsegal.com/pages/season-zero-design-contest
    • Sponsored by Fred Segal and Black in Fashion Council
    • CRITERIA:
      • Must be designer in the fashion or creative industry without a current brick and mortar or retail footprint
      • Must submit 10-15 digital files of personal designs, brand bio, brand vision, and an optional brand video
    • PRIZE:
      • $10,000 prize and pop-up showcasing your work at Fred Segal’s store in LA + mentorship opportunities
      • Second and Third places are awarded $5000 each
    • APPLICATION DEADLINE: November 2, 2020

 

  • Elevate Grant and Mentorship Program- Stitch Fix
    • https://www.stitchfix.com/impact/elevate-grant-program
    • This grant/mentorship program sponsored by Stitch Fix is designed to support early-stage underrepresented entrepreneurs in fashion
    • CRITERIA:
      • Must be an early-stage (minimum 2 years operation) fashion/ apparel business operating in the US
      • Company must be majority BIPOC-owned
    • PRIZE:
      • 5 Recipients will receive $25,000 grant for business expenses and advisory support
      • Business mentorship opportunities with Katrina Lake, CEO of Stitch Fix, and Brandice Daniel, Harlem Fashion Row founder.
      • Wholesale orders of your product will be placed to sell on the Stitch Fix platform
    • APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 31, 2020

 

FASHION PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS

 

  • Harlem’s Fashion Row
    • https://www.harlemsfashionrow.com/
    • Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR) is an organization dedicated to uplift designers of color. Through unique partnerships, fashion shows, and funding opportunities, this social company gives a voice to multicultural designers.

 

  • Your Friends in New York
    • Sponsored by Kerby Jean-Raymond (Pyer Moss) and Kerang
    • Launching 2021

 

  • Tory Burch Foundation
    • http://www.toryburchfoundation.org/
    • The Tory Burch Foundation was founded by the designer in 2009 as a way to support womens empowerment and entrepreneurs.
    • This organization provides support through loan programs, education workshops, and mentoring/networking communities for small-businesses and entrepreneurs.

 

  • Vogue Talents x African Fashion Foundation
    • https://www.vogue.it/vogue-talents/article/scouting-for-africa-2020-african-fashion-foundation
    • “Scouting for Africa 2020is the name of this project conceived by Vogue Talents and African Fashion Foundation (AFF) with the support of IFFAC. African Fashion Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports and promotes African designers providing them with educational opportunities and the tools to succeed in the fashion industry.”
    • APPLICATION CRITERIA:
      • Open to all African designers, living in Africa or anywhere else in the world
      • images of the latest two collections specifying the relevant season;
      • a biography
      • a list of stockists
      • application form
    • PRIZE: opportunity to showcase his/her clothing creations or accessories in a special corner of Palazzo Cusaniduring Milan Fashion Week
    • APPLICATION DEADLINE: 2021 Deadline TBA

 

  • WGSN Future Makers Mentorship Program
    • https://www.wgsn.com/blogs/future-makers-introducing-the-wgsn-mentoring-scheme/
    • This six month mentorship program is awarded to 10 mentees from around the globe and runs every six months from 2020 to 2022.
    • CRITERIA:
      • Must be over the age of 18
      • Must have a background in or aspire to a career in design or fashion
      • Must be able to commit to the full six-month programme, attending monthly online meetings with your mentor
      • Describe how you are being held back in your career aspirations, with the aim of creating a diverse and inclusive group of mentees
    • PRIZE: (10) individuals will be awarded 6-month internships with WGSN
    • APPLICATION DEADLINE: TBA for spring

 

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