What Potential Scholarships Awards can you receive as a student at MFA DSI?

Financing a graduate degree can look different for everyone.  Below are financial aid resources starting with DSI’s own departmental awards & two scholarship awards.

MFA DSI Departmental Awards

MFA DSI offers financial awards and two scholarship awards based on merit and/or need. Merit-based awards aim to cover 5-10% of tuition costs. Applicants that apply by SVA’s priority deadline are automatically considered for merit-based awards and can expect notice about any departmental awards shortly following notice of admission.

Paul Polak Award

DSI offers the Paul Polak Award of $10,000 per year to one incoming student. Paul has been a friend, advisor, and inspiration to our program, and to the millions of people around the world whose lives he has changed through his work to end poverty.

Eligibility: Applicants to DSI will automatically be considered for the Paul Polak Award by meeting SVA’s priority application deadline; no separate application is required.

Equity in Design Award

Envisioned in 2020 to create pathways for underrepresented communities in design, DSI offers the Equity in Design Award to address intersectional oppressions and promote equitable opportunities starting with our own student community. The award aims to grant $10,000 per year to one incoming student.

Eligibility: This award is relevant to those who are:

• A U.S. citizen.
• Indicate interest in the scholarship in their letter of intent.
• Self-identify as BIPOC, disabled (including chronically ill, D/deaf, mad/mentally ill and/or neurodivergent) and/or transgender/nonbinary. This information will be left up to the applicant’s discretion, and no explanation is needed.

Internships and Freelance Opportunities

DSI regularly receives internship and freelance opportunities through our network of faculty, students, and alums. These opportunities are circulated via newsletter for current students. While the department makes these opportunities available to students, applications must be negotiated directly with the employer.

We also offer student worker positions at MFA DSI. Please inquire if you are interested.

Click here to find out more Financial Aid information!