Scholarships
Watkins offers numerous scholarships to incoming students based on faculty recommendations after reviewing completed applications for admission and portfolio submissions. These range from the Commissioners’ Scholarship, which awards full-tuition for four years to one applicant each year, to smaller, individual recognition of excellence in scholarship and/or portfolio work. Usually only one scholarship is awarded to a student, but occasionally an unusually exceptional applicant may be offered a combination of scholarships.
Scholarships are awarded based on faculty recommendations after reviewing completed applications for admissions and portfolio submissions. Recipients will be informed within their letters of acceptance if they have been awarded an admissions application scholarship. The amount indicated in the acceptance letter is only the institutional scholarship award. It does not reflect a full financial aid package amount. The applicant will receive a full award letter from the financial aid department which will include the scholarship being offered, as well as any federal and state aid which the applicant is entitled to receive. Please see the section on Financial Aid for additional information.
No specific application for a scholarship is required. Usually only one scholarship is awarded to a student, but, occasionally, when applicable, a combination of scholarships may be offered. Scholarships are also awarded based on reviews at National Portfolio Days or the applicant’s prior participation in various regional visual arts competitions in which Watkins is a sponsor. A list of these competitions is included below, as well as, when available, web sites for more information.
Unless otherwise stated, all awards are based on full-time enrollment and are prorated for part-time enrollment. The annual amount is divided equally between the fall and spring semesters. Some awards are given over a period of years and may be dependent upon maintaining a certain cumulative GPA for continuing eligibility. This will be indicated in the award letter. All scholarships offers are dependent upon successful application, registration and completion of the semester of the year of the award. If a student withdraws during the award period, the scholarship will be forfeited.
Incoming Students
Watkins offers numerous scholarships to incoming students based on faculty recommendations after reviewing completed applications for admission and portfolio submissions. These range from the Commissioners’ Scholarship, which awards full-tuition for four years to one applicant each year, to smaller, individual recognition of excellence in scholarship and/or portfolio work. Usually only one scholarship is awarded to a student, but occasionally an unusually exceptional applicant may be offered a combination of scholarships.
Continuing Students
Watkins rewards talent and scholastic achievement in our continuing students. Trustee and Presidential Awards are given based on the cumulative grade point average at the end of the spring semester. If the cumulative GPA is 3.25 to 3.54, the student receives the Trustee Award in the amount of $500 towards tuition and fees in the coming year; if the GPA is 3.65 or above, the student receives the Presidential Award in the amount of $1,000. The awards are split evenly between fall and spring and the full amount is based on full-time registration. The award amount is pro-rated for less than full-time.
The individual departments also can award merit scholarships to continuing students. The amount, application procedure and deadline to apply can vary, so the student should check with her or her advisor for more information.
Deadline for scholarship consideration for incoming students
For scholarship consideration applicants must submit a complete application for admission by the dates listed below.
Fall Entry – May 1
Spring Entry – June 1
Other possible scholarship resources
Below are resources that you might use to explore additional funding for your education.
Current Scholarship Listing
Commissioners’ Scholarship – Full tuition for four years.
The Commissioners’ Scholarship, the most prestigious award given by the college, is presented in honor of those who have served as Commissioners of the institution. Only one new Commissioners’ Scholar will be chosen each year. The recipient of this award will receive full tuition for up to four years (maximum of 30 credits per year) and must be registered as a full-time student throughout their tenure at Watkins. Based on their prior scholastic record and application submissions, a select number of applicants will be invited to apply for this scholarship. Those applicants will be asked to write an additional essay and provide the college with any further information about themselves and their commitment to the study of art, design or film. A committee, with a representative from each program, will review all applications and choose the Commissioners’ Scholar.
• Award is automatically renewed for three subsequent and continuous academic years provided the student remains in superior academic standing by maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.65 or above.
• Applicants to any of the degree programs are eligible for consideration but must be entering as a freshman without any prior college credit, with the exception of dual-enrollment.
• Applicants must have outstanding academic records and must show unusual potential to become accomplished artists, designers or filmmakers.
• Applicants will be chosen by the department to which they initially apply and will receive an invitation to apply for the Commissioners’ Scholarship, after which the recipient will be selected by a committee of the faculty.
The Presidential Award of Excellence for Incoming Students – $2000, first year award
Given in recognition of excellence in prior scholarship. Recipients must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.65 or higher at their prior institution.
The Dean’s Award of Portfolio Excellence - $2000, first year award.
Given in recognition of excellence in the portfolio materials submitted for admittance to the college.
TAEA Student of the Year Award - $1000, first year award.
The TAEA Student of the Year Award is intended to recognize outstanding artistic achievement on an ongoing basis, as determined by a high school art teacher who is a member of the Tennessee Art Educators Association. Any high school art teacher in the state of Tennessee who is a TAEA member may name one student each year to receive a $1,000 one-time, first-year award.
A letter of recognition from the TAEA member should be submitted to the Director of Admissions on or before May 1 of each year. The award will only be granted to a high school senior planning to attend Watkins as a full-time student in the fall immediately following graduation. The TAEA member may name a new student on an annual basis.
Raw Talent Scholarship – Amount and duration vary
Merit-based scholarship awarded to applicants who show excellent potential to excel in the visual arts. Award can be given to either first-time college or transfer students.
Star Scholarship for Transfer Students - $500 to $2000 per year for up to four years.
Awarded to promising students who have completed and earned a minimum of 12 transferable college credit hours. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at their prior institution or provide a portfolio for review in order to be considered for this award. The award is based on a combination of prior scholarship and portfolio materials..
Watkins Community Education Young Artist Program Scholarship - $500 a year for up to four years.
Applicants to the college who have taken at least three Watkins Community Education classes prior to enrollment are eligible to this award. A written recommendation from the Director of the Community Education program is required.
Watkins Pre-college Program Scholarship - $1000 per year for up to four years.
Awarded to applicants who have successfully completed the Watkins Pre-College program and who are accepted into any of the Watkins College of Art, Design & Film BFA or BA programs.
Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts Scholarship - $1000 for up to four years.
Awarded to applicants who have successfully completed the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts within three years of application to Watkins. One award per receipient.
Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts Scholarship - $1000 for up to four years.
Given to applicants who have successfully completed the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts within three years of application to Watkins. One award per recipient.
National Portfolio Day Scholarships – Amount and duration vary.
Students who receive a portfolio review by a Watkinsʼ representative at a National Portfolio Day event in the year prior to entry are eligible to be considered for a scholarship. The amount awarded is based on the quality of their portfolio as determined by the college’s reviewer and range from $4,000 to $20,000 over four years. To view the current years’ schedule go to www.watkins.edu/portfolioday.
Renaissance Scholarship - $1000 per year for up to four years.
Awarded to non-traditional students who have been out of school for 10 or more years, based on a review of application materials.
Onyx Diversity Scholarship – Up to $4,000 for up to four years.
Preference is given to members of the African-American community. Students must show high levels of commitment and artistic talent, as well as demonstrate financial need per their FAFSA application.
Creatividad Diversity Scholarship - Up to $4,000 for up to four years.
Preference is given to members of the Hispanic community. Students must show high levels of commitment and artistic talent as well as demonstrate financial need per their FAFSA application.
Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarships
Watkins College of Art, Design & Film is designated as a recipient of the Hope Scholarship offered by the State of Tennessee to eligible Tennessee high school graduates and non-traditional Tennessee students (age 25 and older). Questions about qualifications to receive these awards should be directed to www.collegepaysTN.com.
Out-of-State Matching Lottery Scholarships
If an out-of-state applicant is eligible for a financial award from a state lottery education scholarship and will lose that award if attending a college out-of-state, Watkins will match the award up to a maximum of $2,500 per year. Recipient must submit details of the state lottery award, including award criteria to the Director of Admissions at least one month prior to the beginning of the semester. The award will be renewed for up to four years as long as the recipient maintains a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher and registers for 12 or more credits a semester.
Yellow Ribbon Program
Watkins is a participant in the Yellow Ribbon GE Education Enhancement Program, a provision of the Post 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows degree granting institutions of higher learning to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses that exceed the highest public in-state undergraduate tuition rate. Up to five entering students each year will be eligible to receive this benefit.
Sponsored Scholarships
Sponsored scholarships are awarded by Watkins through various competitions and exhibitions held in the visual arts. Students looking to be eligible for any of these awards should contact the sponsoring agency of the particular event. Information can also usually be found through the visual arts department of your local high school. Awards must be used within three years of receipt. All awards are dependent upon a successful application to Watkins College of Art, Design & Film. If an applicant has won multiple awards from the same competition or exhibition, only one scholarship will be awarded. For example, if the student has received four gold key awards, two in a prior year and two in the current year, he or she will receive one $1,500 scholarship from Watkins.
Current sponsored scholarships include:
Scholastic Gold Key Award www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/enter.htm - $1,000, first year only
Scholastic American Visions Award www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/enter.htm - $1,500, first year only.
Scholastic Portfolio Silver Medalists www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/enter.htm - $1,000/year for four years.
Scholastic Portfolio Gold Medalists www.scholastic.com/artandwritingawards/enter.htm - $1,500/ear for four years.
Nashville Film Festival Young Filmmakerʼs Award www.nashvillefilmfestival.org - $5,000 per year for up to four years.
East, Middle and West Tennessee Regional Student Art Exhibition Awards - From $4,000 to $12,000, over four years, depending on category of award received from the issuing competition. If a student wins multiple awards, the highest award will prevail.
Ohio Governorʼs Youth Art Exhibition “Top 25” Award www.govart.org - $16,000 over four years
Kentucky AEA All-State High School Art Exhibition and Competition Awards www.kyaea.org $4,000 (First Place winners) and $10,000 (Best of Show winners) over four years.
T Tauri Young Filmmakers Competition Award http://www.ttauri.org/2011_t_tauri_entry_form.html - $1,000 to each of the principals of the winning film (director, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor).
Alabama Regional Scholastic Gold Key Art Awards www.aaeaonline.org - $1,000 applied to first yearʼs tuition.
Atlanta High School Art Exhibition at the Dogwood Festival - $2,000 to $8,000 over four years, depending on level of award (Third Place to Best of Show) as determined by the exhibition committee.
Dogwood Arts Festival Student Art Exhibition – Knoxville, TN - $4,000 to $12,000 over four years, depending on level of award as determined by festival committee.