Scholarships, Awards & Opportunities

Fashion Scholarship Fund (FSF)

The Fashion Scholarship Fund is a national non-profit association dedicated to supporting students pursuing careers in the fashion industry. Each year, FSF awards over $1.2 million to help students succeed in all areas of the fashion industry. This scholarship is only open to junior & senior year fashion students from CFDA member schools. Each year since 2017, multiple Jefferson Fashion Design students have received scholarships from this fund.

• 2020: Eight students won $7500 prizes
• 2019: Six students won $5000 prizes; One student won $7500 prize
• 2018: 11 winners
• 2017: One student won top award for $35,000

Black Talent in Design and Fashion Fund

Co-founded by Jefferson Fashion Design Aluma Alicia Pickney (class of 2013) and funded by a number of large organizations, this scholarship directly funds Black students studying to enter the apparel or footwear industries. This scholarship is open to all full-time undergraduate fashion students of color enrolled in accredited colleges/universities.

• 2020-2021: Five Thomas Jefferson University fashion design received scholarships through this fund

Eileen West/ UFC

Eileen West is a classic brand under the Komar brands group dedicated to high-quality sleep and intimates. This scholarship is offered to Thomas Jefferson University Fashion Design junior-level students interested in sleep and intimate apparel product categories, and offers internship opportunities to its winners.

• 2020: seven Thomas Jefferson University students were awarded a total of $35,000 in scholarships by the UnderFashion Club
• 2021: three Thomas Jefferson University students were awarded $15,000; $3,000; and $2,000 scholarships

Martinson Fund

This grant is made possible by the generosity of Eileen Martinson, alumna (Class of ’86) and chair of our Board of Trustees. The Martinson Capstone Awards provide funding for students to use as part of their projects. Capstone projects and similar junior and senior level major projects, with faculty support, will be considered. Students can request specific funding amounts.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America Scholarship (CFDA)

 This scholarship was established in 1996 by the Council of Fashion Designers in America and has awarded more than $2 million and 300 scholarships to fashion design students from more than 22 leading American colleges and universities. The top student projects travel to New York to present their portfolios in front of a CFDA Member Selection Committee in May, giving students not only a shot at the scholarship, but also access to incredible networking opportunities. The CFDA project prompt is built into course curriculum for Jefferson fashion design students in their junior year.

Other Notable Fashion Design Scholarships

Make It with Wool Contest

National Make it with Wool is a once a year sewing and design competition that is supported by the American Sheep Industry. A fashion design competition is sponsored specifically for college students in fashion design majors.
For more information about eligibility and prizes 

Joe’s Black Book Scholarship Competition

Joe’s Black Book is an organization within the fashion industry that looks to connect companies to freelancer and other collaborators. This scholarship seeks to support the next generation of designers through educational funding.
For more information about eligibility and prizes

Gucci Changemaker

The Gucci Changemaker fund aims to provide scholarship opportunities to diverse undergraduate students with unmet financial needs interested in the fashion industry. This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and currently enrolled undergraduate students attending an accredited four-year college or university.
For more information about eligibility and prizes

Other past collaborative design opportunities include PA Ballet costume design, features around Philadelphia, and participation in New York Fashion Week’s Emerging Designer Showcase.

Carson Kressley Award

Most Ready for Retail – Named in honor of Carson Kressley, a member of Jefferson’s Board of Trustees and an original members of the hit TV show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, this award celebrates a senior collection that is easily translatable to the current retail market.

Design Excellence

In Performance Apparel – This award is presented to a collection demonstrating a strong sense of performance or active apparel design and construction knowledge and technique.

Li & Fung Awards

Design Excellence by a Junior – Li & Fung is a major fashion supply chain management company that works closely with many American and European fashion companies to facilitate and manage production. This award celebrates design excellence by a junior fashion design student in their junior design studio class.

Design Excellence by a Junior - Honorable Mention – This Li & Fung award is presented to the runner up for Design Excellence by a Junior.

The Evelyn & Paul Knudsen Red Dress Award

Excellence by a Junior – Every year, junior fashion design students at Jefferson create red dresses for the American Heart Association’s national “Go Red for Women” campaign. This award is separate from any awards presented by the American Heart Association at their annual Red Dress Fashion Show, and is instead presented by the Jefferson Fashion Design Faculty to a student who demonstrates design excellence in their red dress execution.

Coates Brothers Clothing Award

Excellence in Workmanship and Quality/Senior Collection – Coates Brother Clothing is a contract sewing and production company established in 1973 locally. This award is presented to a senior fashion design student whose collection exemplifies extreme attention to detail and knowledge of the garment construction process. 

Fashion Industries Association Award

Best of Show – Sponsored by the Fashion Industries Association (FIA) chapter on campus, this award is usually presented to a single look shown at the Annual Fashion Show that the industry judges find most exciting or inspirational. 

Fashion Industries Association Award

Best Senior Collection – This award is presented to a senior collection that is most well developed and physically executed. 

Fashion Industries Association Award

Best Senior Collection - Honorable Mention – This award is presented to the runner-up Best Senior Collection.

Joan Calabrese Award

Design Excellence in Childrenswear – This award is presented to a sophomore fashion design student who has displayed design excellence with their childrenswear look. 

Mike Ternosky Obey Award

Most Creative Collection – Mike Ternosky is a Thomas Jefferson University Fashion Design alum from the class of 2000. He is most well-known for his work as the head designer of the Obey clothing brand, which utilizes the artwork of artist Shepard Fairey. This award is presented to a senior collection that displays over-the-top visual aesthetics and/or avant-garde styling. 

Nicholas Louis Palumbo Award

Design Excellence in Menswear – This award is presented to a fashion design student that presents outstanding menswear at the Annual Fashion Show. 

Schwab Family Award

Most Well Merchandised Senior Collection – This award is presented to a senior collection that has created a collection of garments that can be easily mixed and matched to create new and exciting outfits for a more impactful overall presentation.

Stuart Weitzman Award for Excellence

Eveningwear or Bridal Collection – Stuart Weitzman is a well-known American shoe designer and entrepreneur. This award is presented to a senior collection that demonstrates excellent knowledge of Eveningwear or Bridal design, fabrication, and construction.

Collection XIIX  Award 

Collaborative Textile Design for Womenswear – Collection XIIX is one of the premier leaders in design, brand, licensing, and product development in the Fashion Accessory industry. This award represents excellence in a collaborative collection, and is presented to both a fashion design and textile student who worked together to create custom textiles for a fashion design collection.

The Woolmark Company Award 

Textile Innovation – The Woolmark Company is the industry leader in merino wool and is instrumental in the global supply chain of Australian wool. This award is presented to a fashion design and textile design collaborative pair for excellence in textile innovation in a senior collection.

United Fabrics Award

Original Jacquard Textile Design – United Fabrics is globally recognized wholesale distributor of upholstery and apparel fabrics. This award is presented to a textile design collaborator for excellence in jacquard textile design and construction.

Fashion Design Faculty Award

Excellence in Design – The recipient of this award is chosen by the Jefferson Fashion Design Faculty and is given to a student who demonstrates a strong eye for design and a determination to succeed.

Nexus Learning Award

A Collaborative Design Initiative – This award is presented to a senior collection that utilized collaborative efforts between a fashion design student and a design student from another background to create an overall visual aesthetic.

School of Design & Engineering Award

Outstanding Senior Design Student – This award celebrates a senior fashion design student that has demonstrated strong design skills, a hard work ethic, and presents themselves professionally.

Excellence in Craftsmanship Award

This award is given to a senior student who showcases exceptional attention to detail in regards to garment construction and craftsmanship.

The DarcyMarc Innovation Award

Execution of a Collection that Defines Innovation- This award is given to one senior fashion design student who that shows innovation throughout the entire design process, including a thoughtful approach and connection to a clearly defined target market. 

The Narativ House Award

Excellence in Storytelling through Design- This award is given to students who use their collection concepts and designs as a tool to convey a larger idea or story.

Fashion for Good Award

This award celebrates a senior collection designed for sustainability, inclusivity or underserved communities.