Funding Your Film School Education

By Cathy Sivak, FilmSchools.com Contributing Writer

Scholarships for Film SchoolScholarship opportunities for film school students are coveted at the same level as the Oscars and can be just as elusive. Both prizes carry prerequisites: incredible talent, persistence and luck.

"Nearly all students have a perception they have a 'great talent,' but the competition for the few film scholarships available is so fierce that it takes a true Great Talent to win," says Muriel Kulikowski, assistant to the department chair at San Diego State University's School of Theater, Television and Film.

Professional organizations as well as major industry players often support business schools and other disciplines with scholarship funds. The film industry does not typically enjoy the same endowments. "We're always looking, but there's just not a lot of money out there for film students," explains Kulikowski.

While students of all types often expect grants and scholarships to cover most higher education costs. "That's not reality," says Paula Cady, the president of the Arizona Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators. "Most students in most disciplines will have to use some type of federal or private student loan program."

One more splash of cold water: "To get a full ride to a film media school is almost impossible. It requires either an extraordinary need or an extraordinary talent," reports Dan Eisenberg, chair of the Film, Video & New Media department at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

While film student funding is slim, individual institutions and programs do offer varying levels of support for film students. Review marketing material such as admissions catalogs and web sites to gauge the scholarship opportunities and financial aid support available on a school-by-school basis. Then design a plan to suit your budget.

"An education in film is not cheap. It's not like going to going to community college for general studies. You are receiving a very specialized degree, and typically, that costs more money," says Cady, who also serves as the director of student financial services at The Art Institute of Phoenix.

Budgeting

Developing a funding plan and filling out financial aid forms may not seem an artistic pursuit, but even established filmmakers have budgets.

Making the numbers work is where the award-winning creativity comes in. As if tuition, books and living expenses aren't enough, beginning video or film students must also budget for supply costs ranging from $200 to $2,000 per year depending on course requirements and excluding equipment investments.

Equipment can be one area to put on initial spending hold, Eisenberg says. He asserts that since most films fall in the low-budget category, any form of the media will suffice. "Students can get off to a start with a camcorder or even Dad's old Hi-8 camera-and that's free."

Scholarships

With school-sponsored, film-specific scholarships few and far between, and financial aid office access to the numerous individual scholarships limited, Cady urges students to explore other options. "Pack a lunch, go to the library and hit the scholarship books, because there is no limit to the number you can apply for or to the amount of funding you could get."

While some students might hesitate to apply for scholarships with small values, "Even a $25 scholarship will help with books and supplies or food for the week. Something's better than nothing. It's that much less you have to pay back in student loans," Cady says. "The individual scholarships are not as easy to apply for as general financial aid, but it's sure worthwhile when the checks start rolling in."

Film scholarship application guidelines typically require not only work samples, but also supporting materials such as an essay and application forms. For best results, students should offer a broad sampling of work and make sure to complete (and submit) applications in a neat and timely manner. "The students with the best portfolios submitted are going to probably be the recipients of those scholarships," Cady says.

You can find film scholarships from a variety of organizations on Fastweb.

Hard Copy Help

Ask at the local library for:

  • The Scholarship Book, a comprehensive guide to private-sector scholarships, grants, and loans
  • The Financial Aid Book/Student Financial Services, guide to private scholarships, grants, and fellowships
  • College Student's Guide to Merit and Other No-Need Funding, a directory of merit scholarships and other funding programs

Internet Sources

Other Funding Possibilities

  • Scholarships, Foundations, and Festivals: FilmSchools.com's list of scholarships, foundations, and festivals will link you to a variety of organizations dedicated to helping film students.
  • Cash Awards: The College Television Awards, a major TV Academy Foundation competition, recognizes college/university student film/video productions with $30,000 in cash prizes. Visit soon for guidelines, as entry submission period is Sept. 1 - Dec. 15.
  • Film Media Scholarship: Film-specific undergraduate and graduate scholarships and grants of up to $10,000 each are available from the Charles & Lucille King Family Foundation.
  • Listings: Potential funding sources for film education as well as independent filmmaking endeavors listed by the Michigan State University Libraries