Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF) & Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarship

The Fashion Scholarship Fund is a national non-profit association dedicated to supporting students pursuing careers in the fashion industry. Each year, FSF awards over $1.2 million to help students succeed in all areas of the fashion industry. Scholarships are awarded under two categories: Fashion Scholarship Fund Scholarships and Virgil Abloh Post-Modern Scholarships. This opportunity is only open to junior & senior year fashion students from CFDA member schools. Each year since 2017, multiple Jefferson Fashion Design students have received scholarships from this fund.

• 2022: Five student winners
• 2021: Ten student winners
• 2020: Eight student winners
• 2019: Seven student winners
• 2018: Eleven student winners
• 2017: One student won top award for $35,000

Black Talent in Design and Fashion Fund

Co-founded by Jefferson Fashion Design Aluma Alicia Pickney (class of 2013) and funded by a number of large organizations, this scholarship directly funds Black students studying to enter the apparel or footwear industries. This scholarship is open to all full-time undergraduate fashion students of color enrolled in accredited colleges/universities.

• 2022-2023: Five Thomas Jefferson University Fashion Design students received funding
• 2021-2022: Four Thomas Jefferson University Fashion Design students received funding
• 2020-2021: Five Thomas Jefferson University Fashion Design students received funding

UnderFashion Club (UFC) Scholarship

UnderFashion Club (UFC) is a non-profit organization focused on providing education and experience for students looking to enter the fashion industry. Each year, UFC offers an exclusive scholarship to Fashion Design students at its partner schools, of which Thomas Jefferson University is included. This scholarship is specifically geared towards students interested in sleep and intimate apparel product categories, and offers both financial scholarship and mentorship opportunities to the winners. Each year, multiple Thomas Jefferson University Fashion Design students have received opportunities through this scholarship.

• 2020: Seven Thomas Jefferson University students were awarded a total of $35,000 in scholarships by the UnderFashion Club
• 2021: Three Thomas Jefferson University students were awarded $15,000; $3,000; and $2,000 scholarships
• 2022: Three Thomas Jefferson University students were awarded scholarships
• 2023: One Thomas Jefferson University student was awarded a scholarship

Martinson Fund

This grant is made possible by the generosity of Eileen Martinson, alumna (Class of ’86) and chair of our Board of Trustees. The Martinson Capstone Awards provide funding for students to use as part of their projects. Capstone projects and similar junior and senior level major projects, with faculty support, will be considered. Students can request specific funding amounts.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America Scholarship (CFDA)

 This scholarship was established in 1996 by the Council of Fashion Designers in America and has awarded more than $2 million and 300 scholarships to Fashion Design students from more than 22 leading American colleges and universities. The top student projects travel to New York to present their portfolios in front of a CFDA Member Selection Committee in May, giving students not only a shot at the scholarship, but also access to incredible networking opportunities. The CFDA project prompt is built into course curriculum for Jefferson Fashion Design students in their junior year.

Other Notable Fashion Design Scholarships

Make It with Wool Contest

National Make it with Wool is a once a year sewing and design competition that is supported by the American Sheep Industry. A fashion design competition is sponsored specifically for college students in Fashion Design majors.
For more information about eligibility and prizes 

Gucci Changemaker

The Gucci Changemaker fund aims to provide scholarship opportunities to diverse undergraduate students with unmet financial needs interested in the fashion industry. This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled undergraduate students attending an accredited four-year college or university.
For more information about eligibility and prizes

Other past collaborative design opportunities include PA Ballet costume design, features around Philadelphia, and participation in New York Fashion Week’s Emerging Designer Showcase.

• Coates Brothers Clothing Award: Best Senior Collection
• Nicholas Louis Palumbo Award: Design Excellence in Menswear
• Nexus Awards: Excellence in Real World Design
• School of Design & Engineering Award: Excellence in Evening or Bridal
• Ennui New York Award: Excellence in Design Innovation
• Excellence in Craftsmanship Award
• Fashion Design Faculty Award: Excellence in Design
• United Fabric Award: Excellence in Collaborative Textile Design