18+ Best Animation Scholarships 2023 | Updated

It is expensive how 3D Animation courses these days. Due to the cost, most students dashed their hopes for it and looked for more affordable courses.

So, here are the best 18 Animation Scholarships you can apply for in 2023.

If you fear financial implications, these scholarships should address those concerns. Make the most of it and spread the word too.

See the table of contents and kindly navigate the options that suit you.

Best Animation Scholarships 2023

A career in animation gives birth to a world of creative possibilities. Professional animators can work or feature in the film, television, commercial advertising, and computer game design.

The animators are capable and thus have a quality educational background that covers various artistic disciplines.

Students seeking careers in animation will have to complete general coursework in graphics and computer design. 

Their coursework should include drawing and traditional illustration, cartoon animation, film, and photographic techniques.

Scholarships for students or scholars pursuing degrees and careers in animation are always competitive.

Consequently, students applying for a 3D animation scholarship should prepare. The preparation entails the submission of both their academic transcripts and a comprehensive portfolio of their artwork.

Talent is the deciding factor in Computer animation scholarships, as a board of professionals in the field will have to scrutinize the students’ work.

However, students pursuing a career in animation have chosen an exciting and artistically rewarding profession.

List of Scholarships and Grants for 3D Animation Students in 2023

•  Worldstudio AIGA Scholarship
•  Peanuts on Parade Scholarship Fund
• Aspiring Animation Professional Scholarship
• initiAIT Scholarships
• Women In Animation Scholarships
• Women In Animation – Phyllis Craig Scholarship
• AIE Animation Scholarships
• JMC Academy Animation Scholarships
• Chancellor’s International Scholarships in Animation
• Murphy & Cadogan Fellowships in the Fine Arts
• SkillsUSA 3-D Visualization and Animation Scholarship.
• Waubonsee Community College Foundation Animation Scholarships
• Creative Minds Scholarship
• Paul Franklin Scholarship for Visual Effects undergraduates
• The Society of Illustrators  Animation Scholarships
• Randy Pausch Scholarship Fund
• Eamonn Butler Scholarship for Computer Animation undergraduates
• Nickelodeon Animation Scholarship

I noticed that most of the Scholarships come from major animation Companies like Pixar, Nickelodeon, Disney, AIE, JMC, and Many Others.

These 3D Animation Opportunities are available to College Students, Undergraduates, and Master’s Degree Students.

So, we will look into these groups’ programs, Internships, and scholarships. Here are the Animation Opportunities in detail

#1. Worldstudio AIGA Scholarship

Worldstudio sponsors this annual Worldstudio AIGA Scholarship for talented art students from unfortunate and low-income earning families.

This prestigious award is mainly available to students studying various art forms, including animation.

Proceeds from private donations fund this scholarship, and this award amount varies according to the available funds in a particular year.

Award Amount: The Worldstudio AIGA Scholarship recipients receive between $2,000–$3,000.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Worldstudio AIGA Scholarship, applicants must adhere to the following criteria:

• The candidate or applicant must be a citizen of the US or at least possess a green card.
• The candidate or applicant must pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree in a discipline with plans of pursuing that discipline as a full-time career.
• Candidate or applicant must be matriculated or perhaps planning to matriculate at some accredited College and universities in the U.S.
• The candidate must have at least a 2.0 GPA.

Note that only those students who are in financial need receive this scholarship. So, students applying must provide complete Financial Aid information on the scholarship form and the form endorsed by the applicant’s Financial Aid Officer.

How to Apply

Kindly visit the scholarship provider’s website below to apply

Scholarship Link

#2. Peanuts on Parade Scholarship Fund

This prestigious Scholarship is strictly for Sonoma County, California residents who are undergraduate students enrolled full-time in a postsecondary institution majoring in Cartooning or Animation.

However, some preferential treatment is given to students with professional experience who have also been accepted to any approved and accredited art institutions in San Francisco.

However, you may have to do an interview. The number of awards and award amount may vary very often depending on the availability of funds. Candidates should also include a sample of their previous work in the application packet.

Required areas of study include animation, cartooning, and graphic design.

This program is awarded every year and is not to be repaid.

Award Amount: The peanuts on parade scholarship amount varies.

Contact Information

Mullineaux

Community Foundation Sonoma County

250 D. Street, Suite 205

Santa Rosa, CA 95404 United States

How to Apply

Kindly visit the scholarship provider’s website below to apply

Scholarship Link

Read: Best 2D & 3D Animation Schools in the USA: Cost, Requirements

#3. Aspiring Animation Professional Scholarship

This prestigious scholarship program is for high school seniors who have plans to pursue a career in animation and/or a design-related field.

This program awards ten (10) $1000 scholarships each year.

Award Amount: The Aspiring Animation Professional Scholarship recipients receive between $1,000

Eligibility

However, this prestigious scholarship award program is for high school seniors in the US pursuing an animation degree program at a good post-secondary school or college.

• The candidate or applicant must demonstrate a record of academic success
• he or she must have a passion for animation and/or a design-related field
• The academic achievement and portfolio submission of the candidate or applicant determine the final award is being determined by.
• The candidate must also submit an essay in which he or she will be discussing interest in animation and their professional ambitions.

Scholarship Deadline: Saturday, June 1

How to Apply

Kindly visit the scholarship provider’s website below to apply

Scholarship Link

#4. initiAIT Scholarships

This prestigious initiAIT scholarship program is for new undergraduate students intending to commence an AIT Bachelor Degree in the 2021 academic calendar.

This scholarship program is made available only to domestic students.

Recipients of this prestigious scholarship award get an $8,000 discount off their tuition fees, which is 50% applicable for the first term and 50% for the last term of the candidate’s Bachelor’s Degree.

Also, the initiAIT scholarship program grants applicants the privilege of using media of their choice, like animation, coding, programming, filmmaking, illustrating, storyboarding, photography, and creative writing, to solve the creative challenge for The Red’s Random Replicator.

Eligibility

For a candidate to be eligible for this scholarship, he or she must meet the following criteria:

• be a domestic student (Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident)
• have applied to AIT directly and be commencing in 2021
• must not have undertaken any previous study at a tertiary level.

Requirements

• The candidate’s ability to generate ideas and recognize those that workThe candidate’s ability to develop ideas further
• The candidate’s ability to execute ideas

Judging criteria

• Skill
• Effort
• Creativity

Furthermore, an applicant’s financial status or personal circumstances does not make the applicant qualify for the evaluation process.

Scholarship Deadline

• March 2021 – Friday, 1st March
• July 2021 – Friday, 28th June
• November 2021 – Friday, 18th October

How to Apply

Kindly visit the scholarship provider’s website below to apply for the scholarship

Scholarship Link

#5. Women In Animation Scholarships

Women in Animation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of women in the animation industry.

The Women in Animation (WIA) Animation Scholarship is an annual award for furthering up to three deserving animation students who demonstrate artistic talent, a passion for animation, a financial need, and a promising future in animation.

Applicants from schools worldwide pursuing many interests, including visual development, animation, and storyboarding, should apply.

Award Amount: 3 successful applicants will receive the WIA scholarship award worth $1500.

Eligibility Requirements

For a candidate to be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be women (or those identifying as female) who are full-time students at an institute of learning offering courses in animation accredited by a recognized accreditation organization.
• Interested applicants must be students between the Sophomore – High School Seniors’ study levels.
• The student must have a GPA of 2.85 or higher
• Applicants must be current members of WIA.

Submissions Must Include the following:

Applicants are to submit the following as supporting documents for the WIA Scholarships 2021

• 6-10 examples of fine art illustration, life drawing, photography, sculpture, character design, storyboards, animation classwork, or an animated film as a link – animated content cannot exceed 3 mins of material to view. Portfolio or reel.
• a photograph of themselves at a minimum of 150dpi resolution (300dpi preferred)
• 2 letters of recommendation
• An essay’s minimum number of words is 500

Note: The letter of recommendation and essay must be in English.

Important Dates

Deadline

September 30th

Review Period

October 1st to December 31st 

Scholarship Announcement

January 2023

How to Apply

Kindly click on the link below to apply for the WIA Scholarship 2023: https://womeninanimation.org/2019-scholarship-application-form/

For more information on the scholarship, visit the link below.

Scholarship Link

#6. Women In Animation – Phyllis Craig Scholarship

Women in Animation is a non-profit organization for the development of women in the animation industry.

This organization offers the annual cc for students (female) in an animation program accredited art school or college.

Award Amount: Women in Animation yearly provides a scholarship of $1000 to one (1) deserving student in honor of Phyllis Craig, who doubled as the founding member of Women in Animation and former head of their education committee.

Eligibility Requirements

For a candidate to be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• The candidate or applicant must be a student in an accredited animation program in the U.S. to become an animation professional.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or registered aliens with the right to work in the States.
• The applicant must have expressed a financial need.

Submissions Must Include the following:

• The applicant’s portfolio or reel.
  However, applicants should not send originals; portfolios and/or reels will not be returned.
• A 500-word essay written by the applicant outlining educational and career goals and financial needs.
• One written recommendation from a teacher or mentor.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applying for the Phyllis Craig scholarship falls on April 29th.

How to Apply

Kindly visit the scholarship provider’s website below to apply for the scholarship

Scholarship Link

#7. AIE Animation Scholarships

The Academy of Interactive Entertainment(AIE) has student scholarships based on financial need and merit.

Also, the AIE Community Outreach Scholarship helps students in a critical financial situations.

The first step of the scholarship application process is to complete the FAFSA, which will set up all federal loans and grants a student may qualify for.

If the funds from the completed FAFSA and Parent PLUS cannot cover the candidate’s tuition, that candidate can apply for an AIE Outreach Scholarship.

Award Amount: The maximum annual award for AIE Scholarships is $5000.

How to Apply

You can apply for the AIE Animation Scholarship application by contacting your local campus and sending a letter to the Head of School detailing.

Kindly visit the scholarship provider’s website below to apply for the scholarship

Scholarship Link

#8. JMC Academy Animation Scholarships

The JMC Academy Creative Industries offers this prestigious animation scholarship for Australian students. There are eighteen (18) scholarships available every year.

JMC Academy offers almost eight (8) undergraduate scholarships per campus for the following courses:

• Animation
• Digital Design
• Contemporary Music and Performance
• Songwriting
• Audio Engineering and Sound Production
• Entertainment Business Management
• Game Development
• Film and Television Production.

Candidates must have demonstrated a serious interest in pursuing a career in the creative industry.

Award Amount: This JMC Academy’s scholarships cover the tuition fees for the first year of study. In addition, the Scholarship does not cover other expenses like books, software, accommodation, etc.

Eligibility

• The candidate must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and able to demonstrate passion and aptitude for his or her chosen field of study.
• Also, the candidate must demonstrate aptitude via a portfolio or compilation of work that best reflects the candidate’s experience and interests where relevant.

Scholarship Deadline

The application deadline is 18th December.

How to Apply

Application forms can be downloaded at www.jmcacademy.edu.au or by contacting JMC Academy directly.

OR

email sydney@jmcacademy.edu.au, melbourne@jmcacademy.edu.au or brisbane@jmcacademy.edu.au

OR

Contact one of the scholarship provider’s student recruitment advisors on 1300 410 311

Scholarship Link

Also, read: 15 Best Animation Schools in Japan 2023

#9. Chancellor’s International Scholarships in Animation

The University of Hertfordshire is popular all over the globe for offering 60 Chancellor’s international scholarships worth £2,000 each.

Also, this Chancellor’s International Scholarships In Animation program is available to every new full-time student who has been assessed over fee issues and is self-funded.  

Award Amount: The value of this Chancellor’s International Scholarships In Animation award program is £2,000.

If you are eligible, our scholarship team will assess your University application.

An applicant is an international student if he or she comes from a country outside of the European Union and will pay the international fee.

All full-time undergraduate and postgraduate international students can apply for this  Chancellor’s Scholarship. It is not also available to part-time study or research students.

Students are normally notified by email to let them know if they have successfully received a Chancellor’s Scholarship award.

Students are, however, entitled to receive only one scholarship award.

How to Apply

Scholarship Link

#10. Murphy & Cadogan Fellowships in the Fine Arts

The Murphy & Cadogan Fellowships in the Fine Arts is a Scholarship for Bay Area California residents graduate students at the Academy of Art College, California College of the Arts, John F. Kennedy University, Mills College, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco State University, Stanford University or the University of California at Berkeley.

The applicant or candidate must be nominated and have completed at least one (1) semester of graduate study. In addition, he/she must submit Artwork completed within the past two (2) years.

Also, the candidate must have at least two (2) semesters before graduation

Award Amount: The value of the Murphy & Cadogan Fellowships in the Fine Arts award program is £5,000. However, the number of awards often varies.

Eligibility

To qualify for the Murphy & Cadogan Fellowships in Fine Arts, interested applicants must meet the following criteria:

• be a graduate student
• attend a university
• be a US citizen
• must not be attending high school currently
•  must study full-time
• The scholarship award is only for students studying in California
• Also, the scholarship is only for students studying Arts

Contact

Arts and Culture Program Fellow

rec@sff.org

Tel: 415-733-8523

Address

One Embarcardero Center

#1400

San Francisco, CA 94111

How to Apply

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, visit the link below.

Scholarship Link

#11. SkillsUSA 3-D Visualization and Animation Scholarship

This scholarship program, sponsored by Skills USA, is an annual 3-D Visualization and Animation award program. Nevertheless, the Skills USA Championship is Sponsored by Art Institutes.

Candidates must submit a finished animated short video using 3-D computerized images.

The winner of this prestigious scholarship is decided by a panel of industry professionals, having the scholarships go to the first, second, and third-place winners.

Candidates who are members of SkillsUSA may compete in local, state, and national championships.

Scholarship Award

Winners of the 3-D Visualization and Animation and the Television Production championships are often awarded a $10,000 tuition scholarship.

Each Art Institute has a minimal number of scholarships. Recipients also have the right to choose the Art Institute location, and the scholarships will always be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Notwithstanding, the value of the SkillsUSA 3-D Visualization and Animation Scholarship ranges from $10,000 to $20,000 to be awarded to six students.

Contact

Julie Walsh
Marketing Coordinator
Art Institutes
210 Sixth Ave, 33rd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, United States

Phone: (412) 995-7302
Fax: (412) 456-2305

http://www.artinstitutes.edu

How to Apply

For more information on the scholarship and how to apply, visit the link below.

Scholarship Link

#12. Waubonsee Community College Foundation Animation Scholarships

The Waubonsee Community College Foundation Animation Scholarships provide $500 credit for tuition. Candidates must have a minimum of 2.75 in high school or college GPA.

To apply for this Waubonsee Community College Foundation scholarship program, the candidate must submit his or her application online using the AwardSpring scholarship software.

The candidates can save their scholarship application without submitting it so that they can work at their own pace.

Scholarship Award

Successful Waubonsee Community College Foundation Animation Scholarships applicants receive $500 credit for tuition.

New Students

If you are a candidate or applicant who will be attending Waubonsee for the first time in 2023, please ensure that you complete the following steps:

• Submit a New Student Information Form.
• Receive your X-number and your student ID number from the Admissions Department.
  Oftentimes, It takes up to 24 hours to receive X-number.
• Submit your Foundation Scholarship Application – Click the “Register” button to set up your account and complete your application.

Note: Dual credit or students with an active Waubonsee email account should sign in using the link for current or returning students.

How to Apply

Applicants can submit the Waubonsee Foundation Scholarship Application via this link; https://www.waubonsee.edu/about-waubonsee/waubonsee-foundation/submit-foundation-scholarship-application

Application Deadline

Unfortunately, the application for the Waubonsee Community College Foundation Animation Scholarships ended on February 4th.

However, applicants can check this page for updates or visit the scholarship website below.

Scholarship Link

Also, see: 13 Best Animation Schools & Colleges in New York 2023

#13. Creative Minds Scholarship

This program is designed for those continuing AIT students who may not have been ready to submit a scholarship when they started at AIT. The sponsor extends an opportunity to apply for the “Creative Minds” scholarship.

The Creative Minds Scholarship program is available for domestic and international students.

Scholarship Award

Recipients or winners of this scholarship program will receive a 50% discount off their upcoming term tuition fee.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates who are eligible for this scholarship must meet the following criteria to apply for their most recently completed term:

• The candidate must have at least 90% attendance.
• The candidate must have an average Distinction or above grade
• Also, a teacher must endorse the candidate for a positive attitude towards studies, involvement in the AIT, and the application of creative thought and communication in studies.
• The candidate must have commenced any AIT Bachelor program or earlier and have been studying for at least two terms, and is a full-time student
• In addition, the candidate must not have been awarded any previous scholarship by AIT
• the candidate must have at least one (1) more term left to study
• Scholarship applications must be received by 5 pm of the deadline.

Application Deadlines

The deadlines vary according to terms.

How to Apply

To apply for the AIT Creative Minds Scholarship, applicants should click here: https://www.ait.edu.au/scholarship/creative-minds

Kindly visit the scholarship provider’s website below for more information on the scholarship.

Scholarship Link

#14. Paul Franklin Scholarship for Visual Effects undergraduates

Paul Franklin, the co-founder of Double Negative, believed to be one of London’s most prestigious post houses, offers a full-fee scholarship to a talented student.

The Paul Franklin Scholarship for Visual Effects undergraduates is solely to help students realize their dreams of becoming VFX professionals.

This is for students who are passionate about working in the industry. This scholarship will help them fund their studies at Escape Studios, considered Europe’s premier visual effects academy, and launch their career in the creative industries.

How to Apply

• Candidates should apply to study the BA/MArt The Art of Visual Effects (Integrated Masters) degree via UCAS.
• If an applicant meets the entry criteria for the degree, he or she will be invited to attend a Creative Workshop at Escape Studios.
  All visual effects applicants are often considered for the Paul Franklin scholarship.

Applicants should click the link below for more information on the scholarship and how to apply.

Scholarship Link

#15. The Society of Illustrators  Animation Scholarships

The Society of Illustrators sponsors its own yearly Student Scholarship Competition. However, the most prestigious competition for student-generated contemporary illustration in the world includes an animation category. 

As a competition that can kick start a career, students must bring their most sophisticated, well-crafted, and original work to be tested. Interested applicants must submit a finished animation project in any file format.

The candidate must be an undergraduate majoring in art and enrolled in an accredited art school, college, or university. However, high school seniors and graduate students are not qualified to participate in this competition.

There is a $15 entry fee for each film submission.

Scholarship Award

The Scholarship award amounts vary often and are determined by the jury.

Over the past 30 years, the Society has awarded approximately $1,500,000 to deserving students in this unique competition, which has variably opened the door for many of today’s top professionals in the animation and arts industry.

How to Apply

Kindly visit the scholarship provider’s website below to apply for the scholarship.

Scholarship Link

#16. Randy Pausch Scholarship Fund

The Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences designed the Randy Pausch Scholarship in 2008 in honor of the memory of the then Computer Science Professor, Dr. Randy Pausch.

Possible career paths for Randy Pausch applicants may include art, animation, programming, engineering, game direction, game design, sound design, and music composition, though not limited to these.

This prestigious Randy Pausch Scholarship program fund for undergraduate and graduate studies programs is offered by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences.

Two (2) scholarships worth $2,500 is offered. It’s only students in the USA that can apply for this animation scholarship.

The scholarships are often awarded based on the completed application, required documentation, specific criteria, and weighted criteria.

Eligibility

The candidate must have a minimum 3.3 GPA and be a full-time undergraduate student starting their second year or a graduate student.

How to Apply

For more information on how to apply, please visit the scholarship provider’s website.

Scholarship Link

#17. Eamonn Butler Scholarship for Computer Animation undergraduates

Eamonn Butler, Head of Animation, Cinesite, offers a full-fee scholarship to a talented student every year. This is sole to help students realize their dream of becoming an Animator.

The recipient or winner will receive his or her tuition fees paid in full for the duration of the program (up to four (4) years).

Scholarship Worth

The Eamonn Butler Scholarship for computer animation students is fully-funded.

How to Apply

• Candidates must apply to study for the BA/MArt The Art of Computer Animation degree via UCAS.
• If the candidate or applicant meets the entry criteria for the degree, he or she will be invited to attend a Creative Workshop at Escape Studios.
• Every computer animation applicant is considered for the Scholarship.
• Based on the applicant’s performance at the Creative Workshop. Three (3) students will be shortlisted for the Eamonn Butler to make a choice.
• One student is usually selected as the winner of the Scholarship award.

Please note: you must attend a Creative Workshop to be considered.

Interested applicants should visit http://escapestudiosanimation.blogspot.com/2019/05/animation-scholarships-at-escape-studios.html for more information on how to apply for Eamonn Butler Animation Scholarship.

Scholarship Link

#18. Nickelodeon Animation Scholarship

Nickelodeon is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world.

Nickelodeon and the Get Schooled Foundation have affiliated to award one (1)skilled and innovative animator by creating an original animated short.

This Nickelodeon Animation scholarship is designed to allow animators to achieve their dreams.

Get Schooled was launched in 2010 by Viacom and the famed  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Scholarship Worth

The winner of the Nickelodeon Animation Scholarship receives a $25,000 scholarship worth.

Eligibility

This Animation scholarship program is open for animators between 17 and 24. However, animators who are 13 to 16 years old are also invited to submit a theme-based looping animation to win a prize.

How to Apply

The candidates must complete the form by the link https://getschooled.com/dashboard/tool/1342-25-000-animation-scholarship?q=Nick%20animation%20scholarship

17  to 24-year-old applicants must provide or submit an animated short in any format

Young animators, 13 to 16-year-old, must submit a theme-based looping animation

Link for More Information:

Scholarship Link

Also, see: 13 Best Animation Schools in California

#19. Disney Animation Program

The Disney Animation Programs come in the form of Apprenticeships, Internships, and Technology Internships; The Programs are to support College Students who wish to enhance their Computer Animation Skills with Disney World.

Students returning to school in the fall are eligible to apply. The Disney Animation Program runs for 8 to 12 Weeks, and Students will be paid.

As an intern, you can work directly with a Disney mentor, exploring all aspects of art, narrative, and film production.

Disney Animation Internship also allows you to meet and work with talented students worldwide and be part of a multidisciplinary team focused on individual and group projects.

Opportunities

Several opportunities are available at the Watt Disney Animation Studios. They include:

• Creating Great Stories
  • Story Artist
  • Layout Artist
  • Editorial
  • Development
• Developing Appealing Characters
  • Visual Development Artist
  • Modeler
  • Look Development Artist
  • Animator
  • Character Technical Director
• Crafting Believable Worlds
  • Effects Animation Artist
  • Lighter
  • Stereo Artist
• Innovation
  • General Technical Director
• Partnering in Creativity
  • Production Management

Here is the Application Link for Students who wish to pursue a 3D Animation Opportunity with Disney.

Scholarship Link

FAQs on Animation Scholarships

You can watch the video here:

Conclusion

The write-up above contains 19 Best Scholarships for Animation students worldwide. We hope these Top Animation Scholarships will take you a step, if not more, to achieve your dream in the field.

Success and Good Luck!!!

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