Scholarships
Scholarships can help fund your education with money that does not need to be repaid. Scholarships are often awarded based on academic achievement, athletic ability, or extracurricular involvement. They may come from the government, your college, private organizations, or nonprofits. Research the different scholarship opportunities that you may qualify for and apply by the specified deadlines.
Scholarship opportunities for incoming students
SCAD offers a variety of institutional scholarships based on academic excellence, overall achievement, and other recognition in conjunction with a student's completed admission application. Required materials for these scholarships should be sent to your SCAD admission adviser for consideration.
Scholarship |
Eligibility |
|---|---|
| SCAD Academic Scholarships | Must demonstrate academic achievement |
| SCAD Achievement Scholarships | Must demonstrate overall achievement |
| Distinguished Scholars | Must exceed admission requirements and be nominated by an educator/counselor. Consideration for this award requires an exceptional portfolio along with a list of honors, awards, other recognitions, and leadership experience. |
| Underrepresented Student Scholarship | Must meet or exceed admission requirements and request consideration by submitting a 500-word essay |
| International Student Scholarship | Must meet or exceed admission requirements and request consideration by submitting a 500-word essay |
| Legacy Scholarship | Must be dependents of SCAD alumni |
| Transfer Scholars | Must exceed admission requirements and be nominated by an educator/counselor. Consideration for this award requires an exceptional portfolio along with a list of honors, awards, other recognitions, and leadership experience. |
Scholarship |
Eligibility |
|---|---|
| SCAD Honors Scholarship |
Must demonstrate outstanding academic and/or artistic achievement; a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale; or presentation of outstanding portfolio, audition, or writing submission; above-average grades and test scores; and GRE scores of 163 or higher on the verbal section, 157 or higher on the quantitative section, and 5 or higher on the analytical writing section. |
| Student Opportunity Scholarship | Student Opportunity Scholarship eligibility criteria are available by contacting the admission department. |
| Legacy Scholarship | Must be dependents of SCAD alumni |
| Underrepresented Student Scholarship | Must meet or exceed admission requirements and request consideration by submitting a 500-word essay |
| SCAD and ACA Alumni Scholarship | Must be a SCAD or ACA graduate. |
How are quarterly and annual scholarships disbursed?
Undergraduate scholarships
Undergraduate scholarships are awarded to degree-seeking students and are renewed quarterly throughout the completion of their degree program or up to 225 attempted credit hours. To remain eligible, students must stay enrolled at SCAD, positively contribute to the university community, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.
Students may qualify for multiple scholarships. If pursuing a double major or multiple minors, students are encouraged to meet with a success adviser to ensure sufficient financial aid.
Graduate scholarships
Graduate awards are available to degree-seeking students and are renewed quarterly until they complete their program, provided they stay enrolled at SCAD, positively contribute to the university community, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25.
Annual awards
Annual scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students are typically disbursed over 45 credit hours across three quarters at SCAD.
How does SCAD housing affect your award?
Undergraduate housing
Scholarship amounts for undergraduates vary depending on whether students live in SCAD housing. Students who accept an on-campus scholarship and later move out of SCAD housing will have their award reduced to 70% of the original on-campus amount. This adjustment may result in a balance due, which must be resolved with the SCAD student accounts office.
Graduate housing
Graduate award recipients are not required to reside in SCAD housing.
Explore more SCAD opportunities
Discover additional SCAD scholarships for even more ways to fund your education.
Take the SCAD Challenge
Showcase your creativity, innovation, and keen eye for aesthetics for a chance to earn a SCAD scholarship. This opportunity is open to high school juniors and seniors during the current academic year.
Submit an achievement profile and portfolio
Portfolios or auditions are not required for undergraduate admission. However, applicants are highly encouraged to submit an achievement profile along with a portfolio or audition to enhance their chances for additional scholarships.
Educator scholarships
Full-time and adjunct educators teaching at public or private institutions from kindergarten through university may qualify for a half-tuition scholarship to attend SCAD at any location or online through SCADnow.
Recognized achievement scholarships
Applicants are encouraged to share recognized achievements, such as scholastic awards, participation in governor’s honors programs, or state scholarships like Georgia HOPE, with their admission adviser. Scholarships may be available based on verified participation or documentation of these achievements.
Scholarships for currently enrolled students
Currently enrolled SCAD students may qualify for scholarships based on academic achievement, financial need, or a combination of both. To be eligible, students must be on track to complete at least 45 undergraduate credit hours or 15 graduate credit hours at SCAD by the end of the spring quarter.
The scholarship application for current students is available online exclusively during the month of April. Applicants are automatically considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible.
Other scholarship opportunities
Georgia aid
SCAD participates in the HOPE, Zell Miller, and Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant programs. The Georgia Student Finance Commission, or GSFC, provides funding at a flat rate for students at private institutions, including SCAD. While this award amount is comparable to funding provided at Georgia's public and technical college institutions, students should consider this amount in context with the university's tuition cost.
You can review annual award amounts for Georgia state financial aid at the GSFC website. Note: One term at SCAD is a quarter, not a semester.
Alternative funding and outside scholarships
SCAD accepts scholarships from outside sources available through a variety of organizations.