Scholarships

American Academy of Bookbinding

SCHOLARSHIPS and TUITION ASSISTANCE

General Information

The American Academy of Bookbinding (AAB) is dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for students at every level. We strive to remove financial barriers so all learners can pursue their artistic goals.

Each year, four types of awards are available:

Tuition Assistance
Merit Scholarships
Fine Binding Scholarship
Comprehensive Binding Scholarship

Application forms and annual deadlines are available on our website. Students may apply for more than one award type each year. A new application is required annually, and submission does not guarantee funding. All funds must be used within the year they are awarded. An awards committee reviews applications, and all decisions are final.

Students will be notified of the award decision before registration opens. If an award is granted, the student will receive an award letter with a code they can use to apply their award during registration. Details on award use, deadlines, and exclusions can be found in the award letter.

If scholarship funds are not fully distributed during the initial review period, applications may remain open on a rolling basis for the remainder of the year.

Tuition Assistance and Scholarships are generously supported in part by the Lang Ingalls Fund for the American Academy of Bookbinding, Myssie and Barry Acomb, and the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation.

SCHOLARSHIP & TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATION

SCHOLARSHIP AND TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICATION PERIOD

REGISTRATION OPENS: December 8th, 2025

REGISTRATION CLOSES: January 9th, 2026

SCHOLARSHIP AND TUITION ASSISTANCE AWARD NOTIFICATIONS

DIPLOMA STUDENTS SCHOLARSHIP/TA AWARDS SENT: January 28th

GENERAL STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP/TA AWARDS SENT: February 11, 2026

COURSE REGISTRATION DATES

DIPLOMA STUDENT REGISTRATION OPENS: January 30, 2026

GENERAL STUDENT REGISTRATION OPENS: February 13, 2026

ROLLING SCHOLARSHIP AND TUITION ASSISTANCE

APPLICATION REOPENS: March 30, 2026

TUITION ASSISTANCE

Tuition Assistance Award

AAB believes that everyone should have access to high-quality bookbinding education. We know financial need is not always reflected in paperwork or traditional criteria, so we do not require tax forms or family financial details. Instead, we ask applicants to share the personal value they see in taking a course.

By accepting Tuition Assistance, students affirm their commitment to supporting artists and arts organizations like AAB. Recipients agree not to use Tuition Assistance if they have the financial means to pay independently. Award recipients also agree to complete a post-class survey.

Eligibility: New and returning students. Tuition Assistance may be used for multiple courses within the same calendar year.
Award Amount: Up to $1,200. Based on availability.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Merit Scholarship Award

Merit Scholarships recognize students whose work demonstrates exceptional skill relative to their experience and background. Consideration is given to well-executed work, recently completed projects, and pieces made independently. A total of five Merit Scholarships are awarded annually.

Eligibility: New and returning students.
Award Amount: $1,500. If funds remain after tuition is paid, they may be used to purchase items in the AAB store.

Fine Binding Scholarship Award

This scholarship honors one student each year who has shown dedication to developing professional-level skills in Fine Binding. A commitment to the broader bookbinding community is encouraged. Selection is based on skill level, quality of technique, and independently completed work, with emphasis on execution rather than quantity or complexity of techniques.

Eligibility: Diploma students only. Students may reapply two years after receiving the award.
Award Amount: $3,500 to be used for tuition. Recipients also receive a $300 materials allowance for purchases through the AAB store.

Comprehensive Binding Scholarship Award

This scholarship recognizes one student annually who demonstrates a strong commitment to developing professional-level skills in book and paper conservation, historic book structures, and/or editions. Engagement with the broader bookbinding and conservation community is encouraged. Selection focuses on technique quality and independently completed work.

Requirements for Scholarship Application

ALL APPLICANTS
- Please see the Scholarships page for information on scholarship type, amount, and qualifications.
- Name
- Email
- New or Returning Student
TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICANTS
- How much Tuition Assistance are you asking for?
- Please describe why you are applying for tuition assistance at the American Academy of Bookbinding. Briefly describe your financial needs and why it is meaningful for you to attend courses at AAB (300 words max).
MERIT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
- Personal Statement (500-word maximum): We’re looking for answers to the following questions:
  - What does your current bookbinding and/or conservation practice look like?
  - What are your goals for your bookbinding education?
  - Briefly describe a challenge or difficulty you face as a bookbinder/book artist.
  - What are you most proud of in your practice?
- Images of Work: Include images of 3-5 books. In the description, please tell us: 1) The year the work was completed; 2) whether it was completed independently, in a class, or both; 3) A short description of the work; and 4) what you’re most proud of.
FINE BINDING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
- Submit either a 2-3 page written statement or a short (5-10 minute) video answering the following questions:
  - Describe to us the progress you’ve seen in your work since beginning your studies with AAB. What are your plans for continuing in the diploma program? What are you most proud of? What skill development are you looking forward to in the future?
  - Describe your independent study and practice. What is working well? What, if anything, would you like to change? What challenges do you face?
  - Describe your participation in the greater book arts community. This can include volunteering, teaching/tutoring, memberships in local organizations, exhibitions, etc. How do you contribute, or plan to contribute, to the greater bookbinding community in the future?
- Images of Work: Include images of 3-5 books. In the description, please tell us: 1) The year the work was completed; 2) whether it was completed independently, in a class, or both; 3) A short description of the work; and 4) what you’re most proud of.
COMPREHENSIVE BINDING SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
- Submit your answers below by uploading either a 2-3 page written statement or a short (5-10 minute) video. No preference will be given based on the format of your responses, so please use whichever is most comfortable for you. Please respond to the following:
  - Describe to us the progress you’ve seen in your work since beginning your studies with AAB. What are your plans for continuing in the diploma program? What are you most proud of? What skill development are you looking forward to in the future?
  - Describe your independent study and practice. What is working well? What, if anything, would you like to change? What challenges do you face?
  - Describe your participation in the greater bookbinding and conservation community. This can include volunteering, teaching/tutoring, memberships in local organizations, exhibitions, etc. How do you contribute, or plan to contribute, to the greater bookbinding and conservation community in the future?
- Images of Work: Please include images of 3-5 repaired bindings or objects. You will have the opportunity to upload multiple images of each for detail shots. In the description, please tell us: 1) The year the work was completed; 2) whether it was completed independently, in a class, or both; 3) a short description of the object treatment; and 4) what you’re most proud of. PLEASE NOTE: If you are also applying for a merit scholarship and plan to use the same images, you will still need to upload them again here, as the scholarships are considered separately.

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