Undergraduate Scholarships

Scholarships & Funding

The Department of Fine Arts, endowed as the Hite Art Institute, has a number of scholarship and award opportunities available for their students, outside of University-wide scholarships & financial aid.  Use the links above to find out more specific information related to scholarships and funding. For Graduate Scholarships and Funding, please see the Graduate Scholarship page.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Download an Undergraduate Scholarship Brochure [pdf]

The Department of Fine Arts offers a number of merit scholarships and awards for undergraduate students.  Merit scholarships are both a financial award and a recognition of excellence. Students who receive them have a responsibility to continue to excel in the studio and in the classroom. A merit scholarship is also a prestigious honor that carries with it a responsibility to give back to the department. Our scholarship recipients are our best and brightest students and we want to show them off, thus, they are asked to serve as assistants to the department and as representatives for the department at recruitment events and other department events and activities such as the Annual Art Auction.

Download a scholarship application for incoming freshman [pdf]

Download a scholarship application for current students [pdf]

**This application will apply you for all the financial aid, awards and scholarships you are eligible through the Department of Fine Arts.  All undergraduate scholarship applications are due Febuary 15th (with the exception of travel grants).

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Application Procedure for Undergraduate Scholarship

Current Students

Application forms should be carefully completed and returned with supporting materials to:

Hite Scholarship Committee
Department of Fine Arts
104 Schneider Hall
University of Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky 40292 (502.852.6794)

Supporting Materials

1. Completed Application Form.
2. Current UofL Transcript (may be unofficial)
3. Two recommendations from Department of Fine Arts faculty with whom you have studied. The student should email two faculty members to request recommendations. The faculty member will submit the recommendations directly to the Scholarship Committee.
4. A typewritten statement of intent describing your educational and career objectives in the arts.
5. If applicable, attach a separate typewritten statement explaining any special financial need.

[Note: An unofficial transcript may be printed from the University's website at http://www.louisville.edu/student/services/registrar/services.html]

[Note: Please request faculty letters of evaluation at least two weeks in advance.]

Incoming Freshmen and Incoming Transfer Students

Entering freshmen and incoming transfer students who have not previously attended U of L are eligible for this award and must furnish the following:

1. The application form for current students (you must also complete an Application for Admission for a Major in Fine Art [pdf]).
2. Transcripts from all other colleges attended or for entering freshmen a high school transcript.
3. Two letters of recommendation from previous instructors.
4. A typewritten statement of intent describing your educational and career objectives in the arts.
5. Five images of your best work either in slide format or on CD. One image must be an observational drawing from life. Be sure to label your slides or CD with your name.

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Undergraduate Scholarship Opportunities

Kenady Lynne Hendershot Memorial Scholarship

The Kenady Lynne Hendershot Memorial Scholarship was established in her memory by her parents, James and Elaine. Ms. Hendershot, who studied Art and Art History at Hollins College and at the Sorbonne, was an extraordinarily talented individual. This scholarship, awarded in her honor to the best of high school graduates in Kentucky, is a fitting tribute to her life-long commitment to the arts.

Award: Underwrites a full tuition scholarship plus a $500 stipend per year.* Renewable up to four years. One awarded each year.

Eligibility: Any graduating senior from a Kentucky high school who is planning to major in art (studio art, graphic design, interior architecture, or art history) at the University of Louisville. Must maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average and continue as a major in Fine Arts to remain eligible for the Hendershot Scholarship

Basis: Demonstrated merit in academic standing, character, leadership potential, personal ambition and determination to succeed.

Mary Spencer Nay Memorial Scholarship

The Mary Spencer Nay Memorial Scholarship was established in her honor by the Hite Art Institute in 1993. Mary Spencer Nay, Distinguished Professor of Art Education and the Marcia S. Hite Professor of Art, taught Art and Humanities courses at the University of Louisville and the Art Center Association (Louisville Visual Art Association) from 1935 until her retirement in 1979.

Award: Underwrites a one-year, full tuition (or its equivalent) scholarship.* One awarded each year. Non-renewable. Recipients are eligible for Hite Scholarships in subsequent years.

Eligibility: Any graduating senior from a Kentucky high school who is planning to major in art (studio art, graphic design, interior architecture, or art history) at the University of Louisville. Must maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average (gpa) and continue as a major in Fine Arts to remain eligible for the Nay Scholarship.

Basis: Demonstrated merit in academic standing, character, leadership potential, personal ambition and determination to succeed.

Hite Scholarships

Established in 1946 through a bequest from Allen and Marcia Hite, the Allen R. Hite Endowment Fund underwrites various programs in the Department of Fine Arts including Hite Scholarships.

Award: Multiple awards with amount ranging from $1,000 to $7,500.* Students are eligible to receive these awards for more than one academic year, however they must complete a new application each year in order to be reconsidered.

Eligibility: Part-time or full-time undergraduates (including incoming students) who are accepted majors in the Department of Fine Arts. Applicants are evaluated on a competitive basis according to the following criteria:

• Merit (awarded to the most outstanding students, typically with an overall GPA of above 3.0 and a Departmental GPA of above 3.5)
• Faculty evaluation
• Financial Need

Special consideration is given to students who are not currently receiving other significant scholarship awards.

Morgan Scholarship in Art History

Award: Underwrites a one-year, full tuition (or its equivalent) scholarship.* One awarded each year.
Eligibility: Any graduating senior from a Kentucky high school who is planning to major in art history at the University of Louisville. Must maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average (gpa) and continue as a major in Art History to remain eligible for the Morgan Scholarship.

Basis: Demonstrated merit in academic standing, character, leadership potential, personal ambition and determination to succeed.

Nora Iasigi Bullitt Memorial Scholarship in Sculpture

Established in 2004, the scholarship is awarded to a distinguished student in the sculpture program nominated by the program’s faculty and based on merit demonstrated through creative concepts in sculpture; understanding of materials and techniques; commitment to continual improvement of their work; and interaction with faculty and peers in the creative process.

Award: Range varies.*

Barbara Bullitt Christian Memorial Scholarship in Photography

Established in 2007, the scholarship is awarded to a distinguished student in the photography program nominated by the program’s faculty and based on merit demonstrated through creative concepts in photography; strong execution and craft; commitment to continual improvement of their work; and interaction with faculty and peers in the creative process.

Award: Range varies.*

Kaden Scholarship Fund in Interior Architecture

Provides an annual scholarship to an interior architecture major who shows high standards in design and class leadership.

Award: Range varies.

Welch Printing Scholarship in Communication Art & Design

Established in 2006, the scholarship is awarded to a distinguished student in the communication art & design program nominated by the program’s faculty and based on merit demonstrated through creative solutions to graphic design assignments; strong execution and craft; commitment to continual improvement of their work; and interaction with faculty and peers in the creative design process.

Award: $1,000 one-year scholarship awarded annually.*

Winthrop Allen Memorial Prize

Annual prize to outstanding graduating studio art major(s).

Award: Range varies.

Justus Bier Award

Annual prize to the outstanding graduating art history major.

Award: Range varies.

Tom Marsh Memorial Travel Award

An annual award to a student to support travel to enhance their art and educational experience. One awarded each year (beginning in 2009).

Award: Range varies depending on proposal.

Basis: Written proposal and GPA. Student must return for a minimum of one full year at the University of Louisville following the award period.

Bill Fischer Senior Project Grant

Award: Two awards of $250 are given to BFA candidates to help with materials costs for completing their senior show.

Basis: Faculty recommendations following BFA reviews.

Design Studio Scholar

Award: Provides a $2,500 tuition remission per year ($1,250 per semester)* in exchange for working approximately eight to 10 hours work per week during each semester as a graphic design assistant on department materials. One awarded each year.

Eligibility: Any current student accepted into the BFA track in Communication Art & Design.

Basis: Faculty recommendation.

Student Travel Grants

Fine arts majors have numerous opportunities for national and foreign travel. The department encourages students to participate in symposia, workshops, exhibitions, and expositions, and offers travel funding in support of these activities.

Deadline: September 15 for spring semester travel; April 15 for fall semester travel.

Application procedure: Students must submit an Application for an Individual Student Travel Scholarship form (available from the department) and include supporting documents.

Award: Up to $500. All funding will be paid as a reimbursement after travel has been completed. All receipts must be filed with the department’s Unit Business Manager within two weeks of return.

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