Art and Design Scholarships

We are committed to helping you invest in your future. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarship awards at both the university and department levels. This includes four scholarships that are available to incoming freshmen and transfer students! Please see eligibility requirements below: 

Updated full eligibility requirements are listed on the current year application.
All incoming freshman or transfer students intending to major in Art are eligible.

    Financial Need

    Awarded based on financial need, emphasizing promoting Native Americans in the Arts.

    Eligibility:
    1: Meet Office of Financial Aid requirements for financial aid.
    2: Signed Art major*
    3: Minimum GPA in Art of 2.5 for first-year students, 3.0 for all other students.
    4: Must be a full-time student for the Fall & Spring semesters of the award year
    5: Previous recipients may reapply

    Native American & Other

    Preference is given to Native Americans, all art majors may apply.

    Eligibility:
    1: A tribal ID from a State or Federally recognized Native American tribe (if applicable)
    2: Signed Art major*
    3: Minimum GPA in Art of 2.5 for first-year students, 3.0 for all other levels
    4: Previous recipients may reapply

    In support of Senior Year Presentations/ Exhibitions 

    Established in 2001 by Evart and Dorothy Ardis in honor of his sister Katherine Ardis Ux, former art department faculty member and accomplished artist. This endowment supports awards for undergraduate students entering their senior year pursuing a degree in the Department of Art and Design within the College of Arts and Media. Preference given to students who intend to pursue further study or conduct research in the field of art in a master’s program or other type of structured art program after completing their undergraduate degree.

    Eligibility:
    1: Senior standing at CMU for Fall & Spring semesters of the award year
    2: Signed Art major*
    3. Must be a full-time student for the Fall & Spring semesters of the award year (unless fewer than 12 credits are needed for graduation)
    4: Previous recipients may not reapply

    Open

    Eligibility:
    1: Freshmen, Sophomore, or Junior standing at CMU for Fall & Spring semesters of the award year
    2: Signed Art major*
    3: Minimum GPA in Art of 2.5 for first-year students, 3.5 for all other levels
    4: Previous recipients may reapply

    Multi Media Design Minor

    This scholarship was established in 2021 by Cody Williams ’17 and Katia Koerner ‘17. Cody and Katia were classmates at CMU and have remained friends since graduating.
    First preference is given to students enrolled in the Multimedia Design minor. Second preference will be given to Graphic Design and/or Animation majors. All art majors may apply.

    Eligibility:
    1: Junior or Senior Standing at CMU for Fall & Spring semesters of the award year
    2: Minimum GPA in Art of 3.0
    3: Must be a full-time student for the Fall & Spring semesters of the award year       
    4: Previous recipients may not reapply

    Open for Junior or Seniors

    Eligibility:
    1: Junior or Senior standing at CMU for Fall & Spring semesters of the award year (minimum of 9 credit hours per semester)
    2: Signed Art major*
    3: Minimum GPA in Art of 3.5
    4: Previous recipients may not reapply

    Open

    Eligibility:
    1: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior or Senior standing for Fall & Spring semesters of the award year
    2: Minimum GPA of 3.2
    3: Must be a full-time student for the Fall & Spring semesters of the award year

    Art and design study away scholarships

    These scholarships are awarded in the Fall for the following Summer.

      1-week summer workshop (including room & board) at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, TN

      Eligibility:
      Junior or Senior standing at CMU
      Signed Art major
      Minimum GPA in Art of 3.0
      Must be a full-time student

      Eligibility:
      Signed Art major
      Minimum GPA 3.0
      Non-renewable

      Study Away Application

      Eligibility:
      Signed Art major
      Junior status (at the time of application)
      Must be a full-time student for the entire academic year
      Non-renewable

      Warriner Hall Image

      University-level scholarships

      Financial aid opportunities are available at the University's Financial Aid Site. Learn more about tuition and fees or find out your costs by using the CMU Cost of Attendance Calculator.

      Incoming freshmen who have applied to CMU are automatically considered for CMU's Merit Scholarships. Submit a complete application including all supporting materials by December 1 for priority consideration.