Some scholarships ask to see your creative work. Here's how to recognize when, what to include, and how to present it.
Requirements vary
Most scholarships don't ask for a portfolio. Those that do set their own rules for what to submit and how. Follow each scholarship's instructions first; nothing on this page can promise an award.
When a scholarship asks for creative work
A few common situations. Your application's own instructions always decide.
Merit scholarships at art and design schools
Some art and design schools consider the portfolio from your admission application when awarding merit scholarships. Each school explains its own process.
Talent or arts scholarships
Awards for students in a specific field, such as visual art, film, or music, which may ask for work samples.
Creative competitions
Programs such as the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards review submitted work, and some awards include scholarships.
Community and foundation scholarships
Occasionally ask for examples of projects, especially when the award is tied to a field or cause.
What to include in a scholarship portfolio
Work that matches the brief
Choose pieces that answer what the scholarship is looking for, not just your personal favorites.
Context for each piece
A caption with title, medium, and year, and a sentence on the idea where it helps.
Process
Sketches, drafts, or iterations, if the application welcomes them.
A statement in your own words
If one is requested, tie it to the scholarship's focus and keep it specific.
Activities and service
For scholarships that consider leadership or community work, show your role and what you did.
Awards and exhibitions
Listed clearly with dates, when they're relevant to the application.
Read the requirements first
Six questions to answer for every scholarship before you choose a single piece.
- Is a portfolio required, optional, or not accepted at all?
- What format: uploads, a PDF, a link, or physical work?
- How many pieces, and any limits on file type, size, or video length?
- Does the work need to be recent, or made for this application?
- Is a statement or description required for each piece?
- What's the deadline, and is it the same as the admission deadline?
Art and design scholarship portfolios
For art and design scholarships, the same principles as a college portfolio apply: strong, recent work, a clear point of view, and process where it helps. See how we approach art portfolio websites, design portfolio websites, and photography portfolio websites.
Where an application accepts links, a portfolio website can hold your complete body of work, activities, and awards in one place. We design it around your work; decisions stay with the committee.
Scholarship portfolio questions
Most don't. A portfolio is usually only requested by scholarships connected to creative fields or by art and design schools that review creative work. Requirements vary by scholarship and program, so read each application's instructions.
Often you can start from the same body of work, but tailor the selection and the statement to each scholarship's brief and format. At some schools the admission portfolio is also used for merit scholarship review; the school will say if so.
It can be, where an application accepts links or additional materials. It gives a committee your work, activities, and awards in one place. It's a complement to the required submission, not a replacement.
No one can promise that. Decisions belong to each scholarship committee. We design and build portfolio websites that present your work clearly; we don't guarantee or influence any award.