Advertising Scholarships for College

Advertising Scholarships, Costs & ROI Snapshot

This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Advertising majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.

Scholarships in Our Database

We currently list 13 active scholarships tied to Advertising programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.

Total Scholarship Dollars Listed

The scholarships currently listed total approximately $35,250 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.

Early-Career Pay & ROI

Early-career median pay for Advertising graduates is about $126,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.

That means first-year earnings are roughly 116% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 0.9 years (before taxes and living expenses).

Advertising Scholarships to Apply for Now (Scholarship FastFind™)

The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Advertising scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.

1

Publicis Groupe Scholarship Program

The Publicis Groupe Scholarship Program supports students pursuing careers in advertising, marketing, communications, media, public relations, digital strategy, creative arts, and related fields. Developed by Publicis Groupe—one of the world’s leading advertising and communications organizations—the scholarship aims to cultivate the

Award: $2,500 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: High (111 min)
2

The One Club for Creativity Young Ones Student Awards

The Young Ones Student Awards, administered by The One Club for Creativity, is a prestigious global competition for students and recent graduates in advertising, design, digital communication, typography, motion/film craft, and related creative disciplines. Rather than a traditional cash scholarship,

Award: Varies Deadline: February Est. Application Time: Med (38 min)
3

She Runs It Foundation Grant

The Education Loan Grant, offered by the She Runs It Foundation, is a member-exclusive benefit aimed at easing the burden of student debt and continuing education costs for professionals in marketing, media, and tech. Since its launch in 2012, the

Award: $10,000 Deadline: October Est. Application Time: Med (73 min)
4

Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship

Name: Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship Award Amount: Varies. Overview: The Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a career...

Award: Varies Deadline: February Est. Application Time: High (113 min)
5

Madison Advertising Federation Foundation Scholarship

Name: Madison Advertising Federation Foundation Scholarship Award Amount: Up to $5,000. Overview: The Madison Advertising Federation...

Award: $5,000 Deadline: April Est. Application Time: High (113 min)
6

Ad Club of Western Massachusetts Scholarship

Name: Ad Club of Western Massachusetts Scholarship Award Amount: $1,000. Overview: The Ad Club of Western Massachusetts Scholarship is designed...

Award: $1,000 Deadline: April Est. Application Time: High (121 min)
7

American Advertising Federation Pittsburgh Scholarship

Name: American Advertising Federation Pittsburgh Scholarship Award Amount: Up to $2,500. Overview: The American Advertising Federation (AAF)...

Award: $2,500 Deadline: April Est. Application Time: High (121 min)
8

Media Fellows Scholarship

Name: Media Fellows Scholarship Award Amount: Up to $5,000. Overview: The Media Fellows Scholarship, offered by the Washington Media Scholars...

Award: $5,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (73 min)
9

AAF-Greater Evansville Scholarship

Name: AAF-Greater Evansville Scholarship Award Amount: Amount varies. Overview: The AAF-Greater Evansville awards scholarships annually to...

Award: Varies Deadline: April Est. Application Time: High (103 min)
10

LAGRANT Foundation Graduate Scholarships

Name: LAGRANT Foundation Graduate Scholarships Award Amount: $3,750. Overview: The LAGRANT Foundation Graduate Scholarships aim to increase the...

Award: $3,750 Deadline: February Est. Application Time: Med (88 min)
11

Sean Finnegan Memorial Scholarship

Name: Sean Finnegan Memorial Scholarship Award Amount: $10,000. Overview: The Sean Finnegan Memorial Scholarship, offered by the American...

Award: $10,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: High (103 min)
12

AdCamp Scholarship

Name: AdCamp Scholarship Award Amount: Full tuition coverage for the AdCamp program. Overview: The AdCamp Scholarship, offered by the American...

Award: Varies Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (43 min)
Article Read Time Is 4 Mins

Expert Answers to the Most Asked Advertising Scholarship Questions

Advertising Scholarships for College Students

Advertising is a strategy-driven, creative discipline that blends storytelling, data, psychology, and media execution. A degree in advertising can lead to careers in digital marketing, media planning, brand strategy, copywriting, analytics, and account management. To support students pursuing these paths, a wide range of advertising scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in advertising, marketing, communications, or closely related fields.

These scholarships are offered by universities, industry associations, foundations, and major advertising and media organizations. Competitive awards typically recognize academic performance, creative ability, leadership potential, and demonstrated engagement with the advertising profession.

Are There Scholarships for Advertising Majors?

Yes. Advertising is one of the most actively supported disciplines within communications and business education. Scholarships are available at every level, from high school seniors entering advertising programs to graduate students building advanced creative or strategic portfolios.

Many advertising scholarships are merit-based and prioritize creativity, initiative, and professional readiness. Others are designed to support underrepresented groups in marketing, media, and communications industries.

Major National Scholarships for Advertising Students

American Advertising Federation (AAF) Scholarships

The American Advertising Federation administers multiple scholarship programs at the national and local levels. These awards often emphasize creative excellence, leadership, and participation in advertising-related coursework or student organizations.

  • Available through national and regional AAF chapters
  • Often require creative samples or campaign work
  • Award amounts and criteria vary by chapter

The LAGRANT Foundation Scholarships

The LAGRANT Foundation supports underrepresented students pursuing careers in advertising, public relations, and marketing. In addition to financial awards, recipients often receive professional development and industry networking opportunities.

  • Available to undergraduate and graduate students
  • Minimum GPA requirements typically apply
  • Awards differ by academic level

CollegeWhale Tip: LAGRANT and AAF applications are strongest when your personal statement connects lived experience, creative work, and long-term career goals.

Marketing EDGE Scholarships

Marketing EDGE scholarships support students studying advertising, marketing, analytics, and related disciplines, with a strong emphasis on digital strategy and data-driven decision-making.

  • Focus on career readiness and measurable impact
  • Often paired with mentorship or internship opportunities

Scholarships for Women in Advertising

Several organizations offer scholarships specifically aimed at advancing women in advertising, marketing, and business leadership. These awards often combine financial support with mentorship and professional visibility.

  • Advertising Women of New York (AWNY) scholarships
  • Women-focused business and marketing scholarship programs

Creative Portfolio–Based Scholarships

Portfolio-driven scholarships are common in advertising and reward originality, execution, and conceptual thinking. These programs often evaluate students on the strength of campaigns, copy, design, or integrated brand work.

  • Creative competition–based awards
  • Scholarships tied to national advertising challenges
  • Programs that recognize copywriting, art direction, and brand strategy

CollegeWhale Tip: Quality matters more than quantity. A small portfolio with clear insight, strategy, and execution is more effective than a large collection of unfinished ideas.

Corporate and Agency-Sponsored Scholarships

Major advertising agencies, holding companies, and brand partners sponsor scholarships designed to build early-career pipelines. These awards often include mentorship, internships, or professional development programming.

  • Agency-sponsored diversity scholarships
  • Programs aligned with digital marketing and media careers
  • Scholarships tied to internship or leadership tracks

University and Departmental Advertising Scholarships

Many of the most consistent funding opportunities for advertising students come directly from universities. Advertising and communications departments often award scholarships based on academic performance, portfolio quality, and departmental involvement.

  • Merit-based departmental awards
  • Portfolio-reviewed scholarships
  • Donor-funded and alumni-sponsored awards

Scholarships for High School Students Interested in Advertising

High school seniors planning to major in advertising or marketing may qualify for early-entry scholarships sponsored by professional associations, business organizations, and local advertising groups.

  • Business and communications-focused scholarships
  • Local advertising federation chapter awards

How to Strengthen an Advertising Scholarship Application

  • Show creative thinking through campaigns, writing, or design samples
  • Demonstrate strategic understanding, not just visual execution
  • Highlight internships, competitions, student agencies, or brand projects
  • Explain how your work connects to real audiences and outcomes

Common Myth About Advertising Scholarships

Myth: Advertising scholarships are only for designers or copywriters.

Reality: Many scholarships also support students focused on strategy, analytics, media planning, brand management, account services, and digital performance roles.

CollegeWhale Tip: Scholarship requirements, award amounts, and deadlines change regularly. Always verify the most current information directly with the sponsoring organization before applying.