Eligibility 

Q: Do I need to be a WIA member to apply?

A: Yes, only active WIA Maker-level members or higher are eligible to apply. Your membership must be active through March of 2025, as reward recipients are expected to be active WIA maker-level members at a minimum. Learn more about our levels on our website. You can check your membership level and status on your WIA Membership Page.

Q: My school year hasn’t started yet, can I apply?

A: You must be an active student in the current academic year. If your school year or formal course/program track hasn’t started or you only have an acceptance letter, then you are not considered an enrolled and active student. We welcome you to apply when you are eligible!

Q: I won’t turn 18 until after the WIA Scholarship applications close; can I apply?

A: You must be 18 or older at the time of application. We’ll see you next year!

Q: I am in my first year (freshman) of college or university. Can I please apply?

A: You are not yet eligible. All applicants must be a sophomore (or second-year equivalent) or higher at the time of application. We’ll see you next year!

Q: Can I apply if I am a Part-Time Student? 

A: Yes, so long that you still meet all other eligibility requirements.

Q: I am not a US student, can I apply for this scholarship?

A: Absolutely, so long that you are an enrolled and active student in the current academic year and that you still meet all other eligibility requirements! This scholarship is a global program. 

Q: I can’t travel to the US, but am taking online classes for a university based in the US. Can I apply?

A: Yes, so long that you can access all required materials. Contact your school beforehand so you don’t miss the deadline.

Q: How does WIA define in-person and online classes? What about being self-taught?

A: WIA categorizes education as between formal and informal education. We include online and in-person education options within these definitions. WIA’s definition of formal and informal education is as such: 

• Formal Education: Universities, colleges, and online education alternatives that result in undergraduate and graduate degrees, transcripts, or online certificates of completion. 
• Non-Formal: Self-taught, including online courses that do not provide a certificate of completion or transcript.

Q: I am taking online courses, not at a degree-seeking school. Can I apply?

A: Yes, this program is open to all students who have taken classes previously. Please refer to our eligibility requirements for online courses/schools listed on the Scholarship homepage. We have a running list of eligible online courses/schools for your reference (schools not on this list will be considered on a case by case basis, please reach out to education@womeninanimation.org).

Q: I am taking in-person courses, not at a formal 2-4 year school college/university. Can I apply?

A: Yes, this program is open to all students who have taken classes previously. Since these programs don’t follow the formal University/College track, please refer to our eligibility requirements for online courses/schools listed on the Scholarship homepage. Make sure that your school can provide the required documents for your application. Please reach out to education@womeninanimation.org for any questions.

Q: I started taking in-person classes at a formal higher education institution but have switched to formal online courses. Can I apply? 

A: Yes. We will need your previous school’s transcript and your enrollment verification if your school meets the formal online course requirements. If this happens within the same school year, you must meet both the formal in-person and online eligibility requirements. If you have questions about your specific scenario, please email us before submission.

A: You can apply if you are officially enrolled in the program. Anyone not enrolled formally is not eligible.

Q: Can I apply for the scholarship if I am graduating after this semester?

A: Our scholarship program is open to any active student through December 31st of the current calendar year. You are ineligible if you have already graduated from your school/college/university. If you have questions about your specific eligibility scenario, please email education@womeninanimation.org.

Q: Can I apply if I have taken or am taking one or more gap years?

A: We want to encourage continued education. You can apply if you have taken one gap year within the same degree program. If you have taken more than one gap year within the same degree program, you would not be eligible. If you have taken multiple gap years between graduate and undergraduate programs you would still be eligible as a graduate student.

Q: Can I apply if I am a Graduate Student (MA, PHD)? What Transcripts do I need to provide?

A: Yes, you can apply, even as a first-year Graduate student. To apply, you must provide your most recent transcript.

Q: My school only has general art majors and/or no animation/gaming/vfx specific major? Can I apply?

A: Yes, as long as you are interested in working in the animation/gaming/vfx industry.  In your artist statement, please include your career aspirations/plans for your chosen industry (animation/gaming/vfx.) 

Q: What is considered the Bay Area (San Francisco or San Jose Bay Area)?

A: According to the Bay Area Chapter and the Berkley Library, “the definition of the Bay Area has taken hold, including the counties that directly border the San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun estuaries: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma counties”.

Q: I was an honorable mention of a previous WIA scholarship year, can I apply again? 

A: Yes, honorable mentions are eligible for the scholarship program. Any recipient that received a cash prize is ineligible to apply to the WIA Scholarship Program again.

Application Materials

Q: I don’t have my GPA or my expected GPA for this semester, what do I do?

A: Please use an online GPA calculator to determine your GPA with your available grades. Your GPA is a soft requirement, so don’t worry if it is lower than anticipated. WIA understands our Scholarship Program is at the start of many school years.

Q: I don’t have an official completed transcript at this time. What should I do?

A: We prefer a full official transcript, but the transcript can be unofficial.  Do not spend money to purchase your official transcript if your school requires it, submit an unofficial transcript. If you are missing a few final grades, that is fine, so long as it shows continuous learning and a current GPA with the available grades. WIA will not accept transcripts sent in by email or transcripts that are password locked.

Q: I don’t have a transcript at all this time. What should I do?

A: That’s okay! We can work with you. If your school is unable to provide a transcript at all, please submit the email from your school’s Registrar’s office stating they will not provide a transcript and when they are made available at your school, AND submit a screenshot/full pdf of your current available grades via your Institution’s online student/grade portal. You may need to calculate your GPA for your available grades manually.

Q: My school doesn’t offer transcripts. What should I do?

A: Most traditional colleges and universities (US/CAN) offer a transcript (official or unofficial.) A school will rarely withhold any transcripts from the student. Please reach out to your academic advisor for support if needed. WIA will not reach out on your behalf to determine if your school provides a transcript.

If you’re attending online classes or an online school please check our eligible online courses/schools. This includes a running list of schools that provide a transcript or certificate of completion. If your school is not listed please check with them directly to see if they offer an alternative to a transcript that shows proof of your continuous learning/participation in the program; a letter of active participation would suffice depending on the school. WIA will not reach out on your behalf to determine if your school provides a transcript.

Please contact education@womeninanimation.org if you have any questions or need to discuss this.

Q: Can I send my transcript to WIA to add to my application?

A: No, once your application is submitted, it is final and considered complete. Please make sure you have it submitted with your application. WIA will not accept any emailed documents from students for their application.

Q: I am interested in animation production management, so I don’t have a creative art portfolio. Am I eligible? How can I apply?

A: Production management is included as an interest in our scholarship program. Submit your resume and clarify your production management interest in your Statement of Purpose. While we won’t heavily critique your artwork, we still ask that you showcase your art or a project in which you acted as a Producer and explain how you helped complete that project. Please ensure you properly credit any artist whose work you are showcasing.

Q: Can I submit my documents in other languages? 

A: We strongly advise that all documents be submitted in English. This program is run in English and is judged by English-speaking judges. If we’re unable to translate documents, this may result in disqualification.  At this time, WIA is unable to provide translation services for the WIA Scholarship Program.

Q: What do I submit for Samples of Work? 

A: We suggest editing your work to only show strong pieces representing you as an artist, not every piece you like. Try to show variety and pieces that aren’t already in your portfolio, though overlap is okay.

Q: My school does not use a GPA grading system. How do I fill in this section?

A:  We understand many non-US schools don’t use the GPA system. 

1. Use an online GPA conversion tool to get an equivalent number. 
2. If your school uses a pass/fail system or something similar, put “GPA N/A—Pass/Fail” in the application form. Please include whether you passed or failed, not “Pass/Fail.”
3. If your situation is unique please let us know by email education@womeninanimation.org.

Q: What sets a candidate apart from others?

A: A well-balanced application will set you apart; pay attention to the requirements. They have been very clearly outlined to express our expectations and restrictions. 

Q: What should be included in the artist statement?

A: Your artist statement can include who you are as an artist, what your career goal is, why you are applying for this scholarship, and how you plan to use the grant. Tell us about yourself, and be genuine.

Q: Who can write my letter of recommendation? How do I get them to WIA?  

A: We would like the letter of recommendation to come from a professor, staff member, or professional mentor who has assisted you in your academic journey and can speak to your abilities as an artist and student! Please let your writer know that delivering this letter late can cause disqualification.

The writer can send the letter directly to Education@Womeninanimation.org, addressed to the WIA Scholarship Team, and include the following information: 

• The Applicant’s name
• The Applicant’s email (it must match the email used for the scholarship application)
• The letter as either a PDF or DOC (official letterhead is preferred but not required)

Q: I don’t have all of my materials and the deadline is approaching. What should I do?

A: We ask you to plan ahead when possible. Your application should be complete at the time of submission. No exceptions will be made.

Q: I have submitted my application! Will I be able to get updates?

A: Thank you for submitting your application to the scholarship program! We don’t provide updates while judging is active. All applicants will be alerted if they are chosen as recipients, typically around February of the following year. Thank you for your patience! 

Q: I made a mistake on my application! Can I get it corrected?

A: No, once your application is submitted, it is final and considered complete. Please triple-check your application before hitting submit. Have a friend or family member review your application before you submit it! 

A: Take a screenshot of your WIA Membership page and submit it with your application materials.  Your Maker level membership or higher should say ACTIVE as shown in the screenshots below. Pending Payment or Paused or Expired is considered an EXPIRED membership. Free memberships are not eligible. Alternatively,  a screenshot of the purchase receipt with dates is acceptable. This is how the page looks on both desktop and mobile: