Scholarships
We call them scholarships. You’ll call them difference makers.
Scholarships at CCAD are a vital part of your success, helping reduce financial pressure so you can focus on what matters most: your classroom work, your studio time, and your future. From Columbus College of Art & Design scholarships to merit-based scholarships and art scholarships for high school seniors, there are opportunities designed to support your talent and launch your creative career
Merit Scholarship
Art school scholarships and artist scholarships at CCAD recognize and reward your talent—no essay required. When you apply to CCAD, you’re automatically considered for our merit-based scholarships, putting you on a path to support your education and your creative growth.
Merit scholarships are free money awarded based on key factors:
- Merit: Your GPA is a strong indicator of college success. We review your cumulative GPA to determine your scholarship level.
- Artistic Talent: Your portfolio speaks for you. The work you submit showcases your skills and helps us assess your scholarship potential.
Diversity Impact Scholarship
Applications for this $3,000 per year scholarship require the submission of an essay. The essay provides an opportunity for applicants to define their sense of personal diversity and articulate how their identity characteristics, culture, and lived experiences have shaped them. All essays will be read and evaluated by the Diversity Impact Scholarship Selection Committee. All students are welcome to apply, provided they meet the requirements below.
Requirements:
- Be admitted to CCAD
- Have all Financial Aid paperwork complete
- Submit a Diversity Impact Scholarship essay by the announced deadline
Other Art School Scholarships
CCAD offers scholarships to students whose work appears in the Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition or Cameo Shows and who are admitted to CCAD by May 1.
CCAD will offer up to three tuition scholarships to Governor's “Award of Excellence” winners in the amount of $18,000 each ($4,500 a year renewable for up to four years).
Other participants whose work is in the Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition or Cameo Shows (and who are not “Award of Excellence” winners) are eligible for $4,000 tuition scholarships ($1000 a year renewable for up to four years).
Awards must be used beginning in Fall semester, and cannot be deferred.
Requirements:
To be eligible for the Ohio Governor’s Youth Art Exhibition scholarship, students must meet the requirements determined by their respective high schools. Students should check with their high school guidance counselors for scholarship requirement details.
CCAD offers scholarships to seniors whose portfolios or individual category submissions to the Scholastic Art Awards are recognized as Gold Medal winners at the national level.
| National Portfolio Gold Medal | Winners are eligible for quarter-tuition scholarships, renewable for up to four years. | |
| National Gold Medal | Winners in individual categories are eligible for a $2,000 tuition scholarship ($500 per year for four years toward the BFA program). |
Notes:
- Awards must be used beginning in Fall semester and cannot be deferred. Specific scholarship amounts for the National Portfolio Gold Medal and National Scholastic Art Awards are not available as tuition may vary from year to year.
- Regional Scholastic Art Awards-related scholarships are coordinated with other financial aid awards.
CCAD scholarships related to The 2025 Central Ohio OH003 regional Scholastic Awards include:
| Seniors American Visions | $2,000 tuition scholarship ($500 per year for four years toward the BFA program). | $2,000 |
| Seniors Gold Key and Gold Key portfolios | $1,000 tuition scholarship ($250 per year for four years toward the BFA program). | $1,000 |
| Seniors Silver Key and Silver Key portfolios | $500 tuition scholarship ($125 per year for four years toward the BFA program). | $500 |
CCAD offers National Art Honor Society Scholarships to admitted students who submit certificates to the college.
Certificate holders are eligible for up to $4,000 tuition scholarships ($1,000 per year for four years).
National Art Honor Society-related scholarships are coordinated with other financial aid awards.
Requirements:
Students must be inducted into the National Art Honor Society through their high school. Students should check with their high school guidance counselor for induction requirements
CCAD offers scholarships to students who are recognized as winners at the national level of the National YoungArts Foundation competition.
National winners (Gold, Silver and Levels I, II and III) are eligible for four-year, quarter-tuition scholarships. Specific scholarship amounts are not available as tuition may vary from year to year.
YoungArts-related scholarships are coordinated with other financial aid awards.
Awards must be used beginning in Fall semester and cannot be deferred.
Requirements:
Students must participate through their high school and be recognized as winners at the national level. Students are required to provide proof to CCAD that they were recognized at the national level.
