The Best Photography Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines in 2025

About photography scholarships

A photography scholarship is a great way for undergraduate students studying photography to fund their higher education without the need for federal student loans.

In the 2019-2020 academic year, 2,438 students earned an undergraduate degree in photography, making photography the 291st most popular major in the United States. This is a 23.7% increase compared to the total of photography degrees awarded the previous academic year. Since photography isn't among the most popular majors, photography students are often left behind and not prioritized by their universities.

Many photography students go on to become professional photographers or begin careers in fields such as photojournalism, nature photography, documentary photography, graphic design, outdoor communications, etc.

In the United States alone, there were over 110,500 professional photographers employed in 2020. And that number is expected to grow even higher. Employment of photographers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations in the country, with an average of 12,700 job openings projected each year during this period.

This projected growth results from the need to replace retiring workers or workers transferring to different occupations. This calls for demand for fresh, new photographers to the industry that know more than just working their way around a camera.

The education level and type of degree required depends on the career you seek in the photography industry. There are some genres of professional photography that are always in demand, such as wedding and event photography, newborn photography, maternity photography, and portrait photography. Some students go into the stock image industry, while others may try promoting social issues by using photography. Other niche genres give photographers freedom of creative expression and allow photographers to express themselves visually.

While some of these fields of photography do not require higher education to find a job, many employers often require photographers to have at least a bachelor's degree for more commercial and industrial work. About 57.3% of professional photographers earned at least a bachelor's degree.

In this industry, applicants must have technical expertise, creativity, and composition skills to land the job. Photographers may attend college or technical school where they can hone their craft, network, and complete internships. However, with the cost of college averaging $35,331 each year, many students have turned to federal loans to fulfill their financial need. This has led to many college students racking up student loan debt.

Photography scholarships on Bold.org provide financial assistance for students pursuing photography.

Can you get a scholarship for photography?

Whether photography is your major or minor, your passion or interest, you can get a scholarship for it on Bold.org. Photography can be your career goal or just a hobby. You can apply for scholarships as a high school student still a novice at how to use a camera, or as an undergraduate or graduate student with aspirations of becoming a professional photographer.

Scholarships can be used to help finance your creative journey. Donors create these photography scholarships with these people in mind who want to pursue photography at the college level.

How to get a photography scholarship

Bold.org has scholarships available for a wide range of individuals involved in photography. The application process is competitive, so it is just as important to find a scholarship that best suits you as it is to present yourself as the best candidate.

Below are some tips on how to maximize your chances of getting a photography scholarship.

Have your photography portfolio and camera ready

Photography is all about taking pictures, and sometimes scholarship sponsors will want you to do just that. Scholarship applicants must have a portfolio of their creative work or art ready to share at all times. It is best to have both digital and physical copies of your creative portfolio.

Depending on the scholarship's requirements, you may be required to submit some of your best work or compose a new image based on a given prompt or theme. All of this is meant to put your photography skills and exceptional ability to the test.

Browse Bold.org for exclusive photography scholarships

Bold.org also has specific photography scholarships, with new scholarship opportunities added regularly. You can find these exclusive opportunities fast by using the filters while browsing the scholarships page.

The 'Arts' category is your best shot at finding scholarships for photography. You can narrow your search even further by using different filters like education level, status, and essay requirements. Try sorting scholarships by most recent, upcoming deadlines, and award amounts.

Be sure to check in regularly as we have new scholarships created each day!

Begin the application process

Creating a profile on Bold.org is the first step to applying. Once you find available photography scholarships that you are eligible for, you can start the application process.

Review the application form and take note of the eligibility criteria and any required materials to submit. Complete the application form at your own pace, but be mindful of the application deadline. If you find the deadline gets too close before you can finish, there will always be scholarships at a later date.

Put time and effort into your essays

Most scholarships may ask you to write an essay as part of the application process. Be ready to talk about your passion for photography, about how it's changed your life and made it better. You may have to answer a given prompt about photography or your understanding of visual arts.

Finding scholarships that best fit your experience and interests can help make your essay more personal. Be diligent in the quality of your submissions and how you present yourself. It can make all the difference.

Don't just tell, but show why you're the best candidate!

Keep applying!

There are many other college students looking for scholarship opportunities to pay their college tuition too. So, don't be discouraged if you don't win the scholarship you applied for. Instead, keep applying for more! You may find a scholarship that's a better fit for you than the last.

Look into photography competitions

Participating in photography competitions gives you the chance to share your work with a selection committee, network with others in the industry, and learn new photography skills. Competitions are also opportunities to win cash awards as another form of financial aid. Keep in mind that some competitions do have an entry fee upfront before you can compete. However, the award amounts earned and experience gained can completely offset this fee.

Best photography scholarships

Many photography scholarships exist to support emerging talent. The ones we have listed above are some great scholarships available on Bold.org to help photographers pursue their undergraduate degrees and combat financial need.

Types of photography scholarships

Photography scholarships can differ depending on eligibility criteria. Scholarships can either be no-essay scholarships or essay scholarships. While no-essay scholarships are easier to apply for, essay scholarships tend to have fewer applicants.

Photography scholarships can have more specific in terms of requirements. The eligible education level may be limited to only high school seniors or undergraduate and graduate students. The scholarship may be state-specific or major-specific. There are also types of scholarships that focus on helping specific demographics, identities, or minorities in continuing their creative careers.

This is why thoroughly checking a scholarship's eligibility criteria is important.

Other art scholarships

Some scholarships on Bold.org can have more general eligibility requirements, where students studying photography can still be eligible even when the scholarship is not photography specific. Some broader art scholarships exist that are open to students pursuing any degree in art. While photography students are eligible to apply, many other art students are too.

While you should still be encouraged to apply for these art scholarships, try finding scholarships with more specific eligibility requirements. The more eligibility requirements a scholarship has, the fewer eligible applicants there will be. This reduced competition maximizes your chances of earning the scholarship.

Frequently asked questions about photography scholarships

How to find photography scholarships?

Bold.org has new scholarships being created each day! Students can find photography scholarships by using the filters on the Bold.org scholarships page. As a branch of visual arts and fine arts, photography scholarships can be found browsing through the 'Arts' category. You can also check out the exclusive photography scholarships listed above.

Also, be sure to check with your university's financial aid office and art department about any art scholarships your university offers.

How to apply for a photography scholarship

Creating a profile on Bold.org is the first step to applying. Once you find available photography scholarships that you are eligible for, you can start the application process.

Select one scholarship that suits you and read through the description to find useful information like the eligibility requirements, the application deadline, selection criteria, and required materials. You may even have to submit an essay based on a given topic.

To apply, simply click the 'Apply Now' button once you've completed the application materials.