What awards and grants are offered by MFA Visual Narrative?
MFA Visual Narrative is a graduate program in School of Visual Arts, a leader in the education of artists, designers and creative professionals for more than seven decades. With this pedigree, MFA Visual Narrative provides excellent opportunities for students ranging from grants to scholarships to professional support.
What scholarships are offered at MFAVN?
Merit Scholarships
Receive a merit-based annual award throughout the duration of your studies. Awards are based on your portfolio and the evaluation from the Application Review Committee. Annual awards are dependent on maintaining good academic standing and professional advancement in your studies. No separate application is needed to apply for Merit Scholarships.
Housing Grants
A select number of merit-based housing grants are available each year to both incoming and returning students. These awards fully cover housing costs at the SVA Ludlow Residence, valued at $5,200, for your in-person summer semesters.
Educator’s Scholarships
Eligible candidates will be considered for scholarships providing up to 50% of tuition. The candidate must currently teach full-time with the equivalent of six credits or more per semester (online acceptable) in an accredited college or university with at least two years of teaching experience (international experience is acceptable). Candidates teaching at the K-12 level will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should contact the department outlining their relevant background. All Educator’s Scholarship Award recipients must maintain 6-credit hours of teaching (or equivalent) during their studies each fall and spring semester. Additional materials are required to apply for the educator’s scholarship. Learn more here.
One-Time Awards
We are also proud to offer several one-time awards that our students can apply for during their time at SVA.
SVA Alumni Scholarship Award
Final-year graduate students are eligible to apply for Alumni Scholarship Awards to aid the completion of final projects: thesis, portfolio, or components of final projects. SVA Alumni Scholarship Award Awards range from $500 to $2,000, not to exceed the total final project budget.
Sketchboard Pro Thesis Sponsorship Award
SVA and Braintreehouse, creators of Sketchboard Pro, offer a generous sponsorship award to two MFA Visual Narrative second-year thesis students. Each sponsorship consists of a $2000 thesis award. Applicants are evaluated by past awardees.
Film Festivals, Conferences, and Exhibitions Funding Stipend
Students will submit proposals and plans during their second-year spring class “Storyteller as Community” to enter festivals, conferences, and/or exhibitions. Students will have the opportunity to be considered for reimbursement of their entry fees for each event.
After two decades engineering & designing digital products for Fortune 500 companies, the SVA MFAVN program is teaching me to create like a storyteller, not just a product designer — through various mediums like photography, game design, podcasting, illustration, and narrative writing. This shift in perspective now shapes everything I do, and I’m still learning.
