Undergraduate Scholarships & Funding

The Department of Art + Design offers a number of merit scholarships and awards for undergraduate students. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis and reflects academic excellence and financial need. The level of assistance depends on the quality of the student's academic record and the availability of funds. Departmental Scholarships may be used for tuition only.

As departmental scholarships and awards are both financial awards and recognition of excellence, students who receive them are responsible for continuing to excel in the studio and the classroom. Receiving departmental funding is also a prestigious honor that carries with it a responsibility to give back to the department by assisting with recruitment and other department events and activities.

The University of Louisville does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, or disability of an otherwise qualified individual in educational programs and activities.  Accordingly, while a program or activity may be focused on the needs or issues of a particular group, they are intended to be inclusive of all, and any participant may benefit from attendance or participation in these programs and activities.

Download the Undergraduate Scholarship Brochure or email the Department to request a copy be emailed directly to you. 

The application deadline for all scholarship funding is February 15.

Scholarships

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 design, 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 Memorial 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 Institute of Art + Design 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 in-state tuition (or its equivalent) scholarship.* One awarded each year. Non-renewable. Recipients are eligible for Hite Scholarships in subsequent years.

Eligibility: An entering freshman who is planning to major in art (studio art, graphic design, interior design, or 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, Studio Art, or Design 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 Hite Endowment Fund underwrites various programs in the Department of Art + Design including the Hite Scholarship.

Award: Multiple awards with amount ranging from $1,000 to $8,000.* 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: Full-time undergraduates (including incoming students) who are accepted majors in the Department of Art + Design. 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.
  

**The Hite Scholarship Application will allow you to be considered for all the financial aid, awards, and scholarships for which you are eligible through the Department of Art + Design.  All undergraduate scholarship applications are due February 15th (with the exception of travel grants).

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.*

Eugene Leake Memorial Scholarship in Drawing and Painting

Established in 2014, the scholarship is awarded to a distinguished student in the drawing and painting program nominated by the program's faculty and based on merit demonstrated through creative concepts in drawing and painting; 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 Design

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

Award: Range varies.

Welch Printing Scholarship in Graphic Design

Established in 2006, the scholarship is awarded to a distinguished student in the graphic 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.*

Awards and Grants

Winthrop Allen Memorial Prize in Creative Art

Prize to an outstanding graduating studio art major each fall and spring semester.

Award: Range varies.

Justus Bier Award in Art History

Prize to an outstanding graduating art history major each fall and spring semester.

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.

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 program in Graphic 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 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 Financial Coordinator within two weeks of return.