Top Photography Schools

The Art Institutes

Brooks Institute

International Academy of Design & Technology

Photography School Financial Aid

Creative ways to fund your photography education...

When searching for a school of photography or a school which offers a photography program, tuitions and fees can pile up. Figures ranging from $28,000 to $50,000 can be expected as a school's "sticker price," and then students still have to consider the cost of film, a camera and print paper, and printers, to name only a few of the added costs photography students will encounter.

Aid from the Schools

Though the costs may be intimidating, there are several types of scholarships, grants and loans available from federal and state governments, and from the schools themselves.

Brooks Institute, for example, offers a limited number of Presidential Grants every year to Brooks students who have strong need and show academic success. The grants vary in value from $500 to $2,000 per session. The financial aid office at Brooks has more information about how to apply for these grants.

The Academy of Art University (AAU) offers interest-free payment plans, scholarships for "pre-college" programs provided by AAU, and grants for high school and community college arts teachers who need to continue their education.

Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY, offers merit-based scholarships for international students, as well as a variety of merit and need-based scholarships to U.S. students, student employment, and other school-provided grants and loans.

Drexel University, in Philadelphia, Pa., offers the A.J. Drexel scholarship, which offers awards from $5,000 to the elusive full ride coverage upon acceptance to the university. Drexel's scholarship is based on a student's portfolio, says Tia McNair, assistant director of recruitment for the college of media arts and design at Drexel. "We look for students who reveal an interest in art and are well-rounded in extracurricular activities."

Outside Scholarships

Searching out need and merit-based scholarships within the college of choice is important, but April Iorio, a financial aid counselor for Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia, Pa., says looking for outside scholarships, and looking for them early, is a must.

"Look for organizations your parents belong to, look in the local churches, high schools and your parents work," Iorio says. "I see students come in with a ton of outside scholarships all of the time."

While there is a lot of legwork involved in the application process, a commitment pays off. "Those students end up getting most of their education paid for this way," Iorio adds.

As mentioned before, there are many merit-based scholarships, but to receive those scholarships, an impressive portfolio is required.

"Applicants should prepare a portfolio with 12-20 pieces of original art completed in the past year," Iorio says. "The portfolios should contain what the students believe are their finest pieces."

"With both outside and university scholarships, check the deadlines, and make sure you apply early," she says. "You have a better chance at more funding the earlier you have everything filled out and sent in."

Though the field of photography may be an expensive field to pursue, both Iorio and McNair advise checking into each school's career center and placement services.

As much as students are geared toward getting into schools and gaining scholarships, they should also consider what the colleges can do for them, in both education and job placement.

Financial aid and scholarship searching may be discouraging, but it's all about commitment and perseverance. "Do your research, and never throw in the towel on pursuing your dreams," McNair says. "In the end, college is about endurance and perseverance; scholarship hunting will prepare students for the forefront."

Scholarship and financial aid sites:

• Fastweb - a free online search service to locate scholarship money.
• FinAid.org - scholarship, loan and savings guidance.