Academy of Art University International Student Scholarships

Organizer Information

Academy of Art University, located in San Francisco, California, is one of the largest private art and design universities in the United States. Founded in 1929, the institution offers accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs spanning over 40 areas of study, including Animation, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion, Film, and Game Development. Known for its hands-on instructional approach led by working creative professionals, the Academy provides open-admissions creative education both on-campus in San Francisco and through its comprehensive online learning platforms.

Key Information

• Official Program Title: Academy of Art University International Student Scholarships (Academic Excellence, Academic Merit, Portfolio, & Needs-Based Scholarships)
• Program Type: Scholarship / Grant (Applicable toward Undergraduate, Graduate, or Transfer degree programs: AA, BFA, BA, MA, MFA, M.Arch)
• Institution Name: Academy of Art University
• Country / City: San Francisco, California, United States (or Online)
• Academic Field: Fine Arts, Animation, Film & Television, Graphic Design, Illustration, Game Development, Fashion, Architecture, Photography, Web & Interaction Design, Music Production, and Cultural Studies
• Language of Degree: English
• Number of Open Study Places: Flexible cohort size; maximum 24 students per award allocation/department review
• Application Period: Currently open for 2026/2027 academic terms
• Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: N/A (Portfolio and transcript evaluation via digital submission)
• Announcement of Admissions Result Date: Rolling admissions and scholarship evaluation (typically 2–4 weeks post-submission)
• Application Deadline: Open / Rolling (prior to term start dates for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Fall 2027)
• Start of Studies Date: Fall 2026 / Spring 2027 / Fall 2027
• Tuition: Standard tuition rates vary by degree level (~$1,100–$1,200 per credit unit); application fees are waived for 2026/2027 terms

Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines

• Accepted Academic Backgrounds: Applicants holding high school diplomas (for undergraduate entry) or accredited bachelor's degrees (for graduate entry) across creative, liberal arts, humanities, or technical fields.
• Preferred Disciplines: Acting, Advertising, Animation & Visual Effects, Architecture, Art Education, Art History, Fashion, Fine Art, Game Development, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interaction & UI/UX Design, Interior Architecture, Jewelry & Metal Arts, Motion Pictures & Television, Music Production & Sound Design, Photography, Visual Development, and Writing for Film & TV.
• Interdisciplinary Acceptance Rules: Academy of Art University welcomes students with non-art academic backgrounds. Admissions operate on an inclusive basis, with portfolio submissions used primarily for placement or merit scholarship evaluation.
• Portfolio Relevance: Required for Portfolio-based scholarship streams ($1,000–$1,500 awards) and recommended for graduate placement, though general admission offers portfolio-building foundations.

General Eligibility

• Who Can Apply?: International applicants (non-US citizens/permanent residents) entering as new Undergraduate, Graduate, or Transfer students.
• Age Restrictions: None (standard university entry requirements apply).
• Professional vs Academic Eligibility: Open to both recent academic graduates and working professionals changing careers into art and design fields.
• Portfolio-Based Eligibility Conditions: Applicants seeking portfolio-specific funding must submit representative creative work worthy of departmental review or course waivers.

Educational Background

• Required Minimum Degree:
  • Undergraduate: High school diploma or international secondary school equivalent.
  • Graduate: Bachelor's degree (BA, BFA, BS, or international equivalent) from an accredited institution.
• Accepted Fields of Study: All academic disciplines are accepted.
• Equivalent Professional Experience Acceptance: Professional creative experience can be evaluated via portfolio review for advanced course standing or scholarship consideration.
• Excluded or Non-Eligible Backgrounds: None specified, provided standard secondary or post-secondary credentials are authenticated.

Language Proficiency Requirement

• Required Language(s): English.
• Minimum Test Scores: TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or internal English Placement Test scores are reviewed.
• Waiver Conditions: Students from English-speaking countries or those who completed previous degree programs in English may receive language test waivers.
• Portfolio or Degree-Based Exemptions: Students who require additional language refinement can participate in on-campus or online English for Art Purpose (EAP) support tracks alongside studio coursework.

Additional Eligibility Conditions

• Nationality Restrictions: None (Open globally to all non-US international students).
• Work or Research Experience Requirements: Not mandatory for admission; academic transcripts or portfolios dictate eligibility for merit funding.
• Portfolio / Research Proposal Expectations: Portfolio applicants must submit digital samples of creative work. Needs-based applicants must submit a written personal statement/essay.
• Visa or Institutional Constraints: On-campus international students must meet U.S. F-1 visa requirements, including providing financial documentation for full-time course loads.

Tuition

Funding & Financial Support

• Scholarships (Full / Partial):
  • Academic Excellence Scholarship: $5,000 (Incoming students with GPA ≥ 3.5).
  • Academic Merit Scholarship: $2,500 (Incoming students with GPA between 3.0 and 3.49).
  • Course Waiver Portfolio Scholarship: $1,500 (For portfolios qualifying for departmental course waivers).
  • Portfolio Submission Scholarship: $1,000 (For complete portfolio submissions ready for departmental review).
• Grants / Stipends: International Needs-Based Scholarship ($1,000 – $2,500 based on economic need essay).
• Teaching or Research Assistantships: Available for qualified graduate (MFA/MA) students during advanced study terms.
• Studio / Production Funding: Access to equipment labs, rendering facilities, and studio space included in program enrollment.
• Living Cost Support: On-campus student housing and dining plans available (billed separately).

University Services & Academic Support

• Studio / Lab Access: Specialized studio access including green-screen soundstages, VR labs, printmaking facilities, wood workshops, and digital editing bays.
• Research Supervision: Direct guidance from industry-active practitioners and faculty mentors across San Francisco’s creative sectors.
• Mentorship Programs: Industry guest lectures, portfolio review nights, and direct critiques by working professionals.
• Career Services: Dedicated ArtU Career Services offering portfolio preparation, industry recruitment fairs, and employer networking.
• Exhibition / Residency Opportunities: Annual Spring Show exhibition, gallery showcases, and industry showcase screenings.
• Library / Archive Access: Comprehensive physical and digital art library access, digital image databases, and film archives.
• International Student Support Services: Dedicated International Student Services Office (ISSO) assisting with F-1 visas, OPT/CPT employment authorization, housing assistance, and cultural adjustment.

Application Requirements

• Completed Scholarship Application Form: Submitted online selecting targeted scholarship streams.
• Student Identification / Info: Basic personal details and indication of major/level.
• Academic Transcripts: High school or university transcripts (Official or unofficial for initial review; GPA verification required for academic awards).
• Portfolio Submission: Digital artwork/design portfolio link or file uploads (required for portfolio scholarship streams).
• Economic Need Essay: A 500-word statement outlining personal financial circumstances (required for the Needs-Based Scholarship stream).
• Proof of English Proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or institutional placement scores.

How to Apply?

Applicants must submit their scholarship request directly through the official Academy of Art University International Scholarship Application Portal

. Select the relevant scholarship categories (Academic, Portfolio, or Needs-Based), attach transcripts, upload portfolio files or essay documents, and complete the submission form.

Deadline & Timeline

• Application Deadline: Rolling / Open for Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Fall 2027 entry terms (early submission recommended prior to term start).
• Notification Date: 2–4 weeks after complete application and transcript/portfolio submission.
• Second Phase Remote Interviews Date: N/A.
• Start of Studies Date:
  • Fall 2026 Term: Late August / September 2026
  • Spring 2027 Term: Late January 2027
  • Fall 2027 Term: September 2027

Location

In-Person or Online: San Francisco, California, United States (On-campus) OR Fully Online via Academy of Art University's virtual learning platform.

Additional Details

Students are allowed to apply for multiple international scholarship categories simultaneously (e.g., Academic Excellence + Course Waiver Portfolio + Needs-Based Essay). If awarded multiple funding streams, the maximum combined award ceiling is capped at $5,000 per semester. Application fees for 2026/2027 terms are currently waived for international applicants.

Website Link

Academy of Art University International Student Scholarship Page