Scholarships for Game Design Students
Ways to pay for a game design degree, and the awards we have verified on official school pages (41 so far). A listing never means that every student or program qualifies, and financial aid availability does not make a program “fully funded”.
Institutional scholarships
Awards a school funds itself. Eligibility, amounts and renewal rules are set by the school and often depend on program, enrollment status or admission date.
School of Communication merit-based and need-based aid
American University — Game Design · Master's
Eligibility: Graduate students; merit awards administered by SOC graduate admissions, need-based awards by the Office of Financial Aid.
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026School of Communication merit-based and need-based aid
American University — Games and Interactive Media · Master's
Eligibility: Graduate students; merit awards administered by SOC graduate admissions, need-based awards by the Office of Financial Aid.
Source: american.edu · verified October 12, 2026ATU Freshman Windgate Portfolio Scholarship
Arkansas Tech University — Game & Interactive Media Design · Bachelor's
$5,000 per academic year, renewable up to 7 semesters
Eligibility: Freshman art majors including Game & Interactive Media Design; full-time with at least one art course per semester.
Source: atu.edu · verified October 12, 2026ETC merit scholarships
Carnegie Mellon University — Entertainment Technology · Master's
On average $10,000 a year; one year, renewable for a second year based on academic performance
Eligibility: All applicants are automatically considered.
Source: etc.cmu.edu · verified October 12, 2026Champlain College · Students at this school
Eligibility: First-year applicants to on-campus programs; considered automatically with the admission application.
How to apply: No separate application.
Source: champlain.edu · verified October 12, 2026CDM Graduate Dean's Scholarship (U.S. Citizens and Residents Only)
DePaul University · Students at this school
$6,000 to $9,000 over six consecutive terms
Eligibility: New U.S. citizen or permanent resident students in eligible CDM master's programs, including the MS in Game Programming and, from Fall 2026, the MFA in Game Design; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
How to apply: Awarded at admission; no separate application.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026CDM Graduate Presidential Scholarship / CDM Graduate Dean's Scholarship
DePaul University — Game Design · Master's
$6,000 to $9,000 over six consecutive terms
Eligibility: From Fall 2026 available to admitted MFA in Game Design students; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; awarded at admission.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026CDM Graduate Presidential Scholarship (International Students only)
DePaul University — Game Programming · Master's
$6,000 to $9,000 over six consecutive terms
Eligibility: New international students in listed MS programs including Game Programming; cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher; full-time enrollment for disbursement.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026Dragon Opportunity Scholarship
DigiPen Institute of Technology · Students at this school
Up to $10,000 per year, renewable for up to four years
Eligibility: Incoming students only, including International Partnership students
How to apply: Separate application required
Deadline: April 1 (year not printed)
Source: digipen.edu · verified October 12, 2026DigiPen Undergraduate Merit Scholarship
DigiPen Institute of Technology — BA in Game Design · Bachelor's
Up to $10,000 per year, renewable up to four years
Eligibility: Admitted applicants to game design, music and audio, or digital art and animation undergraduate programs; automatic consideration
Source: digipen.edu · verified October 12, 2026CS Undergraduate Merit Scholarship
DigiPen Institute of Technology — BS in Computer Science and Game Design · Bachelor's
Up to $13,000 per year, renewable for up to four years
Eligibility: Undergraduate degree programs in computer science only; automatic consideration upon admission
Source: digipen.edu · verified October 12, 2026CS Undergraduate Merit Scholarship
DigiPen Institute of Technology — BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation · Bachelor's
Up to $13,000 per year, renewable for up to four years
Eligibility: Undergraduate degree programs in computer science only; automatic consideration upon admission
Source: digipen.edu · verified October 12, 2026Full Sail University · Students at this school
up to $40,000
Eligibility: Eligible high school seniors starting a campus bachelor's program in Fall 2027.
Source: fullsail.edu · verified October 12, 2026Undergraduate merit scholarship
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology · Students at this school
$11,000 to $16,000 per year
Eligibility: Accepted undergraduate students
Source: harrisburgu.edu · verified October 12, 2026LCAD Institutional Grant (Merit Scholarship)
Laguna College of Art and Design · Students at this school
Eligibility: Students accepted for admission; based on academic record and admissions portfolio.
How to apply: Decided at the point of acceptance.
Source: lcad.edu · verified October 12, 2026Scholarships and other funding (priority consideration)
Northeastern University — Game Science and Design (Boston) · Master's
Eligibility: Applicants with completed applications by February 1
Source: camd.northeastern.edu · verified October 12, 2026Ringling College of Art and Design · Students at this school
Eligibility: One awarded per major; complete application by February 15
How to apply: Considered when all admissions materials are submitted by the deadline
Deadline: February 15 (year not printed)
Source: ringling.edu · verified October 12, 2026Artistic Aptitude Scholarship
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — Game Art · Bachelor's
$450 per semester full-time (12+ credits); $225 part-time summer
Eligibility: New incoming students; awarded on portfolio strength; maintain 3.0+ GPA
Source: rmcad.edu · verified October 12, 2026Academic Achievement Scholarship
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — Game Art · Bachelor's
$450 per semester full-time (12+ credits)
Eligibility: New incoming students with cumulative GPA 3.5+; automatically considered
Source: rmcad.edu · verified October 12, 2026Artistic Aptitude Scholarship
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — Game Art Online · Bachelor's
$450 per semester full-time (12+ credits); $225 part-time summer
Eligibility: New incoming students; awarded on portfolio strength; maintain 3.0+ GPA
Source: rmcad.edu · verified October 12, 2026Academic Achievement Scholarship
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design — Game Art Online · Bachelor's
$450 per semester full-time (12+ credits)
Eligibility: New incoming students with cumulative GPA 3.5+; automatically considered
Source: rmcad.edu · verified October 12, 2026Logan Houston Boyce Endowed Scholarship and other program-listed awards
The University of Texas at Dallas — Animation and Games (BA) · Bachelor's
Source: bass.utdallas.edu · verified October 12, 2026Electronic Arts Gaming Endowed Scholarship
University of Central Florida — Interactive Entertainment (MS) · Master's
Eligibility: Students who demonstrate overcoming life challenges and/or building community and connections through games.
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026Division of Games Student Scholarship
University of Utah · Students at this school
Five scholarships of $2,500
Eligibility: Division of Games students; supports basic-needs costs.
Source: games.utah.edu · verified October 12, 2026GAMES NextGen Scholarship
University of Utah — Games · Bachelor's
One $1,200 scholarship
Eligibility: Full-time BS in Games students; preference for first-generation students and/or LEAP participants.
Source: games.utah.edu · verified October 12, 2026Worcester Polytechnic Institute · Students at this school
Minimum $25,000 per year
Eligibility: First-year applicants admitted through early decision
Source: wpi.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Tuition discounts and special rates
Reduced rates for groups such as military members, veterans, employees of partner organizations or alumni. A discount lowers tuition; it is not a scholarship you apply for separately unless the school says so.
Ohio Tuition Reciprocity
West Virginia University — Game Design and Interactive Media · Bachelor's
In-state tuition rates for admitted Ohio students
Eligibility: Ohio students fully admitted to the University and to the Game Design and Interactive Media major.
Source: wvu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
External scholarships
Awards from foundations, professional associations or employers outside the school. We list one only after checking its official page.
None verified yet.
Assistantships
Graduate positions that pay a stipend and/or tuition in exchange for teaching or research work. Most require presence on campus — check the conditions.
Graduate assistantships and Graduate Research Assistant Program
DePaul University · Students at this school
Eligibility: Qualified CDM graduate students.
Source: cdm.depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026Funded research assistantships
DePaul University — Game Design · Master's
Eligibility: MFA Game Design students working with faculty.
Source: depaul.edu · verified October 12, 2026Teaching and Research Assistantships
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute — Critical Game Design · PhD
Eligibility: Critical Game Design PhD students
Source: hass.rpi.edu · verified October 12, 2026Bass School Teaching Assistantships
The University of Texas at Dallas · Students at this school
Eligibility: Bass School graduate students.
Source: bass.utdallas.edu · verified October 12, 2026Teaching assistantships
The University of Texas at Dallas — Game Development (MFA) · Master's
Eligibility: MFA students.
Source: academics.utdallas.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Fellowships
Merit-based graduate awards, usually competitive.
ETC Fellowship Fund
Carnegie Mellon University — Entertainment Technology · Master's
Full tuition scholarship for the first year, renewable for the second year in good academic standing
Eligibility: Admitted students; additional application required.
Source: etc.cmu.edu · verified October 12, 2026Dr. Roger N. and Adrienne T. Rosenberg Graduate Fellowship and other listed graduate awards
The University of Texas at Dallas — Game Development (MFA) · Master's
Source: bass.utdallas.edu · verified October 12, 2026FIEA Director Fellowship
University of Central Florida — Interactive Entertainment (MS) · Master's
Eligibility: Accepted FIEA students not awarded another fellowship; merit-based on GPA, GRE and portfolio.
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026FIEA Director Technical Fellowship
University of Central Florida — Interactive Entertainment (MS) · Master's
Eligibility: Accepted programming applicants with a 3.7 GPA in computer science, engineering, math or related disciplines and a GRE score of 315 or greater.
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026UCF Character Animation Fellowship
University of Central Florida — Interactive Entertainment (MS) · Master's
$2,500
Eligibility: Students accepted into the FIEA art discipline who graduated from UCF's Character Animation program.
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026UF Digital Arts & Science Fellowship
University of Central Florida — Interactive Entertainment (MS) · Master's
$2,500
Eligibility: Students accepted into FIEA who graduated from the University of Florida Digital Arts & Sciences program.
Source: fiea.ucf.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Tuition waivers
A reduction or remission of tuition, usually attached to a graduate assistantship or fellowship. We say “guaranteed” only when the school states every admitted student receives it.
None verified yet.
Stipends
Living-cost payments to graduate students, typically tied to teaching or research work and a set duration.
None verified yet.
Grants
Need-based aid that does not have to be repaid, such as federal Pell Grants for eligible undergraduates. Eligibility depends on the student, the program and the institution's participation.
High Point University · Students at this school
Eligibility: Game design students developing and testing their own games or game features.
Source: highpoint.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Loans
Money that must be repaid with interest. Loans are not scholarships and are listed separately.
Federal Direct Stafford and Grad PLUS loans
Southern Methodist University — Master of Interactive Technology · Master's
Eligibility: Graduate students filing the FAFSA.
Source: smu.edu · verified October 12, 2026
General financial aid eligibility
Statements by a school about whether students in its programs can use federal or state aid. Eligibility is never assumed for every program or student.
Federal financial aid
DigiPen Institute of Technology — MS in Game Development (Online) · Master's
Eligibility: FAFSA; at least half-time enrollment for Direct Loan Program funds
Source: online.digipen.edu · verified October 12, 2026
Guides
Universities and award providers can submit a scholarship for review through the contact form. We publish it only after checking the official page.