Scholarships & Financial Support

Cleveland State University’s Department of Art & Design offers competitive scholarship opportunities for current and incoming students, including merit-based awards specific to Art & Design majors. In addition to departmental scholarships, students are encouraged to explore university-wide scholarship opportunities and financial aid resources through Cleveland State.

To be considered for the widest range of financial aid—including grants, need-based scholarships, work-study, and some institutional awards—students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year, even if they are unsure whether they will qualify for need-based assistance.

Art & Design Scholarships

2026-27 Art & Design Haddad Merit Scholarships (CLOSED)

Approximately $120,000 is awarded annually based on need and artistic merit, thanks to a generous gift from the estate of Gladys and Phillip Haddad. 

Eligibility: Current and prospective full-time undergraduate ART majors seeking a first bachelor's degree and needing at least 24 additional credit hours for graduation who have not defaulted on a previous CSU Merit Scholarship agreement within the past year.

• Early High School Deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026 @ 11:59pm
  • Application for 2026-27 for incoming freshmen is CLOSED.
• Open Round Application for all current, transfer, and high school students
  • Application for 2026-27 is CLOSED.
  • Deadline: Friday, April 10. 2026 @ 11:59pm
  • CLICK HERE TO APPLY
  • Learn more about the scholarship: merit-scholarship-open-round-26-27.pdf

Contact Professor Mark Slankard with questions.

CSU/CIA Post-baccalaureate Program Application (CLOSED)

Deadline: February 13, 2026

Applications are CLOSED. Applications are closed and will reopen in January 2027 for 2027-28.

If you have graduated within the last five years you are eligible to apply to the new CSU/CIA Post-baccalaureate program! Eight recent graduates in Art from Cleveland State University will be chosen. The students who are chosen will receive one-year scholarships to further their studies at the Cleveland Institute of Art, tuition free.

Application procedure: The application package requires 12 digital images or videos, a list of works, a personal statement outlining artistic and personal goals, and a resume.

All images must be submitted in JPG format. Image minimum size 1000x1000 pixels maximum 3000x 3000 pixels

Contact Professor Mark Slankard with questions.

Creative Arts Intern Fellowship (CLOSED)

Deadline: varies

Eligibility:Undergraduate students in the creative arts

• Art, Design, Creative Writing, or Film majors
• Junior or senior standing
• Minimum 3.0 GPA

Application details.