Scholarships

PAFA is deeply grateful to our many donors and friends who have committed significant resources to ensure that emerging artists can access a world-class art education at PAFA.

Alumni Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to students who have received an endorsement of their application from PAFA alumni. This scholarship is intended to recognize talented students who are encouraged to study at PAFA through relationships with our alumni.

Artistic Excellence Scholarship

This merit scholarship of up to half of tuition is awarded to incoming MFA students who demonstrate outstanding artistic and intellectual promise. The Faculty Admissions Committee awards these scholarships at the time of admission.

d. krin Korkes medART Endowed Scholarship

The d. krin Korkes medART Endowed Scholarship is awarded annually to one student at PAFA with demonstrated financial need, with the option of remaining with the designated student throughout the duration of their studies at PAFA. This scholarship was made possible by the generosity of d. krin Korkes.

Deborah Morrison Henderson Scholarship

The Deborah Morrison Henderson Scholarship is an award that is available to a transfer student or non-traditional-age student entering the BFA or PAFA-Penn BFA program. To apply for this scholarship, the student must submit a written statement describing their reasons for pursuing a joint studio and liberal arts degree and how they think the combined program will benefit their practice and scholarship.

Dina Wind Endowed Scholarship  

Established in memory of Dina Wind, this scholarship is awarded annually to a student working in sculpture or expanded media.

Donald R. Caldwell Scholarship

This full-tuition scholarship is for incoming full-time undergraduate students. Based on the merits of their portfolio, students will be nominated by faculty members on the Admissions Committee during the application process. A limited number of Caldwell Scholars are selected each year, based on the artworks submitted. The Caldwell Scholarship is named in honor of Donald R. Caldwell, Chair Emeritus of PAFA’s Board of Trustees and a major supporter of the School of Fine Arts.

Faculty Recognition Scholarship

This merit scholarship of up to half tuition recognizes the applicant’s motivation, ability, and skill in undertaking Certificate studies.

Frances M. Maguire College Scholars

In honor of the many contributions of Frances M. Maguire to PAFA and of the strong and enduring friendship between Mrs. Maguire and the Academy, this scholarship is awarded based on academic merit and financial need and is made possible by the generosity of the Maguire Foundation.

Giovanni Martino Family Scholarship

The Giovanni Martino Family Endowed Scholarship will be given to an undergraduate realistic landscape painter and awarded annually to the same student for the full duration of their time at PAFA. This scholarship was made possible by the generosity of Nina F. Martino.

Janet V. Sweet Scholarship

Made possible through a generous bequest, this scholarship is awarded to an incoming student, chosen by PAFA’s Admissions Department.

John and Richanda Rhoden Scholarship

John Rhoden was a prolific African American sculptor who passed away in 2001 and whose work was exhibited in major art museums during his lifetime. Although Mr. Rhoden received many of the accolades and awards that mark a distinguished career, his work never attained the level of recognition it deserved. PAFA is honored and grateful to have been designated the steward of this artist’s legacy and the recipient of a gift from the Rhoden estate of many of his sculptures as well as funds to support a scholarship in his and his wife’s name.

The John and Richanda Rhoden Scholarship will be awarded every four years, beginning in the fall of 2019, to an incoming first-year student of color, especially a student who intends to major in sculpture. The scholarship covers full tuition and fees. This scholarship offers PAFA’s School of Fine Arts the unique opportunity to honor and further Mr. Rhoden’s legacy and life-long dedication to fine artmaking.

Karen Davies Scholarship for Artistic Adventure

Karen Davies was a much-admired, active, and engaged PAFA alumna. This scholarship is a tribute by her children to their mother’s love of art and artmaking and is awarded, based on need and merit, to an incoming student who works in mixed media and/or printmaking.

Mary Carroll Curtis Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to an incoming first-year or transfer student who has declared printmaking as a major. The generosity of the Mary Carroll Curtis Scholarship Fund makes the scholarship possible.

Next Step Summer Academy

These scholarships are available to BFA students who have completed PAFA’s Summer Academy program.

Phi Theta Kappa (Ptk) Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society members for transfer students.

Scholastic Art Scholarship

Winners of a Scholastic National Medal in Art are eligible for this scholarship.

Si Friedman Scholarship

Awarded to an incoming undergraduate student based on artistic and academic merit, this scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the Si Friedman Scholarship Fund.

Trustee Scholarship

This full-tuition scholarship is awarded to one incoming, traditional MFA student each year in recognition of superior, demonstrated artistic and intellectual ability. The recipient is selected by the Faculty Admissions Committee at the time of application and portfolio review.

W.W. Smith Scholarship

Made possible through the generosity and commitment of the W.W. Smith Charitable Trust, this scholarship is awarded to select incoming freshmen or transfer students who live in one of these Pennsylvania counties—Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, or Philadelphia—or in the City of Camden, NJ.