Worldstudio AIGA Scholarships

IGA believes all students deserve access to design education. The AIGA Worldstudio D×D Scholarships aim to increase diversity in the design profession by creating equitable opportunities for the next generation of creative talent. Scholarships are awarded annually to students enrolled at colleges and universities in the U.S. who demonstrate a commitment to positive social change, environmental responsibility, and cultural awareness through the practice of visual communication, including photography, illustration, or graphic design.

Rules and Eligibility

• Applicants must be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in a discipline listed below with the intention of pursuing that discipline as a career.
• Students must be citizens of the United States or possess a Green Card (formally known as a Permanent Resident Card or Form I-551). Having DACA certification and or a Social Security number does not make you eligible.
• Applicants must be enrolled and matriculated (or planning to matriculate) at accredited colleges and universities in the United States for the Fall 2025/Spring 2026 academic school year with the intention of maintaining full-time status for the entire year. If you do not yet know which school you will attend, put your first choice.
• Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
• Scholarships are only awarded to those students who are in financial need. Applicants must, therefore, provide complete financial aid information on the scholarship form and have it approved by his/her/their Financial Aid Officer.
• Talent and financial need are significant factors in the review process.
• Though not a requirement, diversity of racial-ethnic groups as well as gender, sexual orientation, ability and disability, age, and other factors that shape creative perspective and professional experience are significant factors considered in jury decisions.

Declared Majors/Areas of Study

Students may apply in only one discipline and it must be the student’s major area of study. We do not offer scholarships to students with only minors in these disciplines. Eligible disciplines include:

• Communication design (includes: graphic and visual design, interaction design, game design)
• Illustration (includes: animation and computer animation)
• Photography

Additional Criteria

• Creative talent and commitment to giving back to the community are primary factors in the review and selection process.
• Student portfolios (work samples) and written statements should demonstrate a clear career path and point of view along with a commitment to positive social change, environmental responsibility, and cultural awareness through the practice of communication design, including photography, illustration or graphic design.
• This scholarship aims to increase representation in the profession. While not a requirement for eligibility, jurors consider race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability and disability (e.g. neurodivergent or physical), age, and other factors (e.g. military service) that shape creative perspective and professional experience when reviewing applications.