SCHOLARSHIPS

Limited Tuition Assistance funding is still available for 2025 on a course-by-course basis. Please contact aab@ahhaa.org with questions about specific courses and to access an application.

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SCHOLARSHIPS AND TUITION ASSISTANCE: General Information
The American Academy of Bookbinding is committed to providing students with access and opportunities to explore and enhance their skills at all levels, with a core commitment to removing financial barriers to participation.

In 2025, we received a generous grant from the Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation to support underrepresented students in craft and/or those with financial needs, so we encourage you to apply!

Three awards are available for application: Merit Scholarship, Tuition Assistance, and the Fine Binding Scholarship.

Please read each offering description and requirements carefully, as they may have changed from prior years.

• You will need to complete your waitlist registration for courses before submitting your funding application. We need to know which courses you plan on taking before we can review your request. 
• Eligible students are welcome to apply for more than one type of award. You will be able to select which award(s) you are applying for in the application form.
• All awards must be used in the year awarded.
• Submission of an application does not guarantee an award.
• All applications are reviewed by an awards committee whose decisions are final.
• In the event that funds are not fully disbursed by the end of the application period, applications will remain open on a rolling basis throughout the rest of the year.

DEADLINE FOR ALL AWARD APPLICATIONS: January 31, 2025

AWARD NOTIFICATION: March 3rd, 2025

Merit Scholarship

Merit Scholarships are granted to students whose work displays exceptional merit given their current skill level and background. Students will be asked to provide images of 3-5 bindings, with opportunities to upload additional detailed images. Well-executed work, work completed recently, and work completed independently will all be favorably considered.

Eligibility: New and returning students. 

Award Amounts: $1500, of which at least $1,000 must be used for tuition. The remainder can be used for AAB student housing.

Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance awards are granted to students with a demonstrated financial need. Students will be asked to submit a statement of financial need and answer some demographic questions. Tuition Assistance awards are non-transferable and must be used for the course in which they are awarded.

Eligibility: Both new and returning students. Students can be awarded tuition assistance for multiple courses in the same calendar year.

Award Amount: 25%-100% of course tuition, based on need.

Fine Binding Scholarship

The American Academy of Bookbinding Fine Binding Scholarship was created by Myssie and Barry Acomb in 2013 to assist one student per year who has shown initiative and is committed to the long-term development of their skills to reach a professional level and contribute to the larger bookbinding community. This scholarship is intended to reward merit given a students’ skill level and background. Attention is paid to a student’s execution of techniques, not necessarily to the number or complexity of techniques employed. Work completed independently and work completed recently will be favorably considered.

Eligibility: Returning students only, with priority given to declared diploma students. Diploma students at all skill levels are encouraged to apply. Students who receive the scholarship are eligible to reapply two years after the award receipt.

Award Amount: The total award is $3,500, of which at least 65% ($2,275) must be used for tuition; the remainder can be used for tuition or housing. In addition, the awardee will receive a $300 allowance for materials purchased through the AAB school store.

Requirements for Scholarship Application

• ALL APPLICANTS
  • Please see Scholarships page for information on scholarship type, amount, and qualifications.
  • Name
  • Email
  • New or Returning Student
• MERIT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS
  • Please answer the following questions (500 word maximum):
    • What does your current bookbinding/artistic 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 artistic 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; and 3) what you’re most proud of.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE APPLICANTS
  • Please describe why you are applying for tuition assistance at the American Academy of Bookbinding. Briefly describe your financial needs (300 words max).
  • Do you have access to institutional funding through work or school? (Y/N)
  • In the past 5 years, have you qualified for or received federal or state aid such as Social Security disability benefits, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, WIC, or other food or housing relief programs? (Y/N)
  • Are you currently serving, or have you served, in the U.S. Military, Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or other full-time volunteer or service program? (Y/N)
    • If “yes,” please describe briefly.
• 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; and 3) what you’re most proud of.