A limited number of merit scholarships are available from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Applicants to SAIC are evaluated for merit scholarships when they send in their portfolio for an admissions review. Portfolios with working themes and demonstrated continuity are viewed optimistically. Students with exceptional portfolios are recommended to compete for merit scholarships. Nominations are forwarded for a blind review to the Merit Review Committee. Only new students who have applied by the deadline and have been granted admission to the school may compete for the merit scholarships. Each academic year there are fall and spring deadlines for applications.
Indiana State University at Terre Haute offers the Violet Helen Rich Scholarship each year to one or two students in the amount of $1,500. The scholarship is available to undergraduate students who are juniors or seniors studying art with a concentration in painting. There is no formal application for this art department scholarship. Based on faculty selections, the scholarship committee makes recommendations to the Department Chairperson. The scholarship may be renewed for a second year provided the recipient is recommended again by the scholarship committee.
Scholarship aid is available to students from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City. The Silas H. Rhodes Merit Scholarship is a merit-based award named for the founder of the SVA. All freshman and transfer students who submit their application and portfolio on time, and who have a grade point average of 3.0 or better, will automatically be considered for the scholarship. A separate application for the scholarship is not required. Winners will be notified of their award. Applicants will also find information on other merit-based scholarships and needs-based grants at the SVA website.
Trustee scholarships are available from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) for students who demonstrate exceptional artistic and academic achievement. It is not required to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for trustee scholarships. Up to five trustee scholarships of at least $10,000 are awarded each year, and they may be renewed provided students remain in good academic standing. Application information is available from the RISD financial aid office.
High school students may apply for the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. Students need to register online for submission forms, and must submit work to a regional affiliate of the awards. A teacher, parent or guardian must sign the submission form. Award winners receive notification within 1 to 3 months of submission. Only award winners are notified.