For students pursuing a career in interior design, the cost of education can be a major barrier to overcome. However, there are numerous scholarships available to help offset the financial burden and make your dreams of becoming a designer a reality. In this article, we have compiled a list of 14 scholarships specifically for interior design students. From national organizations to local foundations, these opportunities offer financial assistance, mentorship, and networking opportunities. So, if you’re a budding interior designer looking for ways to fund your education, keep reading to discover the various scholarships that may be available to you.
Robert W. Thunen Memorial Scholarship – $1,000-$5,000
Offered by the San Francisco chapter of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the Robert W. Thunen Memorial Scholarship is annually awarded to students pursuing careers in illumination. Applicants must be full-time rising juniors, seniors, or graduate students at an accredited college or university in Northern California, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington. All applicants must be studying illumination, and graduate applicants must be “undertaking a lighting-centered project as part of work towards a graduate degree.”
NEWH Clifford R. Tuttle Scholarship – $5,000
The NEWH Clifford R. Tuttle Scholarship, sponsored by ForrestPerkins/Perkins Eastman, awards $5,000 to interior design students with a hospitality focus. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program, meet a minimum overall GPA requirement of 3.0 (or 83-86% equivalent), and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship recipients must be able to attend the awards event in NYC with paid airfare/lodging provided.
NEWH Fabric Innovations Legacy Scholarship – $10,000
The NEWH Fabric Innovations Legacy Scholarship, sponsored by Fabric Innovations, awards $10,000 to hospitality management or interior design students attending college in Florida or at Cornell or New York University. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program, meet a minimum overall GPA requirement of 3.0 (or 83-86% equivalent), and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship recipients must be able to attend the awards event in NYC with paid airfare/lodging provided.
NEWH Green Voice Design Competition – $7,500
The NEWH Green Voice Design Competition is an annual contest that provides students with a chance to create projects that show off their sustainable design skills. Applicants must be interior design or architecture students. Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in a four-year program, and graduate applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college. Students may work individually or in teams of two. In addition to scholarship money, winners receive a paid trip to an awards event in New York.
NEWH Harvey Nudelman Scholarship – $5,000
The NEWH Harvey Nudelman Scholarship, sponsored by Fabricut Contract and FR One, awards $5,000 to interior design students pursuing a career in hospitality. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program, meet a minimum overall GPA requirement of 3.0 (or 83-86% equivalent), and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship recipients must be able to attend the awards event at HD EXPO in Las Vegas, Nevada. with paid airfare/lodging provided.
NEWH ICON of Industry Scholarship – $7,500
The NEWH ICON of Industry Scholarship awards $7,500 to interior design student with a hospitality career focus. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program, meet a minimum overall GPA requirement of 3.0 (or 83-86% equivalent), and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship recipients must be able to attend the awards event in NYC with paid airfare/lodging provided.
NEWH Interior Design Scholarship – $10,000
The NEWH Interior Design Scholarship, sponsored by P/Kaufmann Contract, awards $10,000 to interior design students (with a career focus in hospitality) at Fashion Institute of Technology-NY, Pace University, Parsons School of Design-The New School, Paul Smith’s College, New York School of Interior Design, or Pratt Institute. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program, meet a minimum overall GPA requirement of 3.0 (or 83-86% equivalent), and demonstrate financial need. Scholarship recipients must be able to attend the awards event in NYC with paid airfare/lodging provided.
NEWH Los Angeles Founding Chapter Scholarship – Up to $25,000
The NEWH Los Angeles Founding Chapter Scholarship is annually awarded to LA-based students pursuing a major and career objective within the hospitality industry. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program in Los Angeles, Southern California, and zip codes 900-935. Additionally, applicants must meet a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent) and demonstrate financial need.
ASID Foundation Legacy Scholarship for Graduate Students – $4,000
Offered by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the ASID Foundation Legacy Scholarship for Graduate Students is annually awarded to graduate students pursuing careers in interior design. Applicants must be enrolled in or accepted to a graduate-level interior design program at an accredited university. The scholarship is awarded on the basis of students’ academic accomplishments, creative achievements, and personal statements.
ASID Foundation Legacy Scholarship for Undergraduate Students – $4,000
Offered by the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the ASID Foundation Legacy Scholarship for Undergraduate Students is annually awarded to junior or senior year of undergraduate study enrolled in at least a three-year accredited program of interior design. Applicants must write a 500-word portfolio statement, as well as a personal statement, and submit a transcript, design portfolio, letter of recommendation, biographical statement, and a headshot.
David Barrett Memorial Scholarship – $12,000
Offered by the American Society of Interior Designers, the David Barrett Memorial Scholarship is awarded twice of each year to students who practice classical design elements and use traditional materials. Applicants must be undergraduate or graduate students with plans to pursue careers in interior design.
CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship – $5,000
Administered by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), the CBC Spouses Education Scholarship offers a one-time award of $5,000 each to 10 winners. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; be African American or Black; be preparing to pursue or currently pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree full-time at an accredited college or university (includes current high school seniors); be pursuing a career in the visual arts with an eligible major; have a minimum 2.5 GPA on 4.0 scale; and exhibit leadership and be active in community. Visual arts include architecture, ceramics, drawing, fashion, graphic design, illustration, interior design, painting, photography, sketching, and video production.
D. Colman Witte Scholarship – $500-$6,000
Offered by the Philadelphia Foundation, the D. Colman Witte Scholarship is annually awarded to high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing education in art, architecture, or interior design. Applicants must attend (or plan to attend) a college or university in the Philadelphia region, study (or plan to study) art, architecture, or interior design, and meet a minimum GPA requirement of 2.75.
Vectorworks Design Scholarship – $3,000 (Round 1), $7,000 (Round 2)
Vectorworks, a company that produces 3D design software, offers a scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students in disciplines related to architecture, landscape architecture, entertainment, and interior design. Applicants are invited to submit a finished design that they have created. Designs may have been created for a class project or outside of class. Winning applicants will receive a monetary scholarship as well as a license for Vectorworks design software and training in the software. Applicants may not reside in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria.
In conclusion, the journey to finding the perfect scholarship doesn’t have to be daunting. Whether you’re just beginning your search or looking to expand your options, our comprehensive scholarship directory offers a wide range of opportunities catering to diverse academic interests and backgrounds. For a more personalized approach, consider leveraging the power of TUN AI, our innovative tool designed to match you with scholarships uniquely suited to your profile. Start exploring today and take a step closer to securing the financial support you need for your educational journey.