Scholarships

Click on the title of each scholarship below for a printable form.

Click here for a checklist of items to include before mailing scholarship application.

The Art Educators of New Jersey tuition scholarships are awarded to high school, college and graduate students (see criteria listed below). Monetary awards will be presented to those students who exemplify the qualities of outstanding scholarship, service, and visual ability within their area of specialization. The Art Educators of New Jersey will grant scholarships when sufficient funds and qualified candidates are available.

Past Presidents’ Graduate Scholarship Award
AENJ members pursuing a masters degree in art education or an art teacher pursuing a masters degree in an art related field such as Art Administration, Art Supervision, Museum Education, Art History, Art Curriculum or Studio Arts, or an art educator pursuing a degree/certificate in Education or Administration.
This award is a minimum of $1,000.00 and is paid directly to the student’s school.

Submission Requirements: A candidate must submit an original and a copy of all of the following to the Immediate Past President Dr. Kim Defibaugh by May 15th

A portfolio of work which represents the area of study being pursued. This portfolio may include: traditional slides, digital art work, electronic media, and/or writing samples .
Two letters of recommendation from any of the following: Art professors with whom you have studied, art advisor or an administrator. The letters should reflect the candidate’s teaching ability, classroom performance, and leadership qualities.
An essay clearly articulating your personal philosophy of art education.
A listing which shall include:
a. Involvement in the arts outside of school.
b. Extracurricular activities, including professional involvement.
c. Exhibits of your personal work.
d. Honors and awards.
Proof of acceptance in a graduate program from the college of your choice. An official college transcript, if you are already enrolled in a graduate program and have begun taking courses. (Transcripts are to be sent directly to the Past President).
Proof of current active membership for at least two years.
Include a nominator’s letter along with the two letters of recommendation listed above. (You may self-nominate). Nominator must also show proof of two years active and current membership in AENJ.
Current professional status.
Proof of USA citizenship (copy of birth certificate or passport).
Completely filled out Scholarship Form.

Place all of the above materials in one envelope and mail to the Immediate Past President, Dr. Kim Defibaugh

College Student Scholarship
Candidates for this award include college students entering their sophomore, junior or senior year majoring in visual art or visual art education in any public or private school of higher learning. All applicants and their nominators must be members of the AENJ. Upon certification of the AENJ Scholarship Committee and the ratification of the Executive Board, the award monies will be applied directly to the tuition at the school of higher learning. This award is a minimum of $1,000.00 and is paid directly to the student’s school.

All information must be completed and received by the Scholarship Committee chair no later than May 15th. Incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified.

Submission Requirements: A candidate for the College Student Scholarship must submit the original and a copy of all the following (except portfolio):

A nominator’s letter. Nominator must be a current active member of the Art Educators of New Jersey for at least two years.
A portfolio which represents the area of study being pursued. This portfolio must be in digital format. The portfolio should include ten examples of your art work (include at least two drawings). Identify each work with a number and your first and last name. Enclose a numbered list of the works indicating the title, size and medium of each work.
Two letters of recommendation from art professors with whom you have studied.
An essay that tells about yourself and your intent as an artist or art educator. Include involvement in the arts outside of school, extracurricular activities, exhibits, honors and awards.
An official college transcript which may be mailed to the Scholarship chair at the address indicated below.
Proof of student membership in AENJ. This may be done by including a copy of your receipt for membership dues, a photocopy of your AENJ membership card or a copy of your cancelled check.
Include proof of USA citizenship (copy of birth certificate or passport).
Completely filled out Scholarship Form.
Completed checkoff list.

Place all of the above materials in one envelope and mail to:
Dr. Kim Defibaugh

Senior High School Student Scholarship Award
Candidates for this award include high school seniors interested in pursuing the study of visual art or art education in any public or private school of higher learning. It is our intention to select a student whose submission is diversified. The nominator must be an active member of AENJ for a period of not less than two years.

Upon certification by the AENJ Scholarship Committee with the ratification of the AENJ Executive Board, the award monies will be applied as tuition directly to the institution of higher learning. This award is a MINIMUM of $1,000.00.

All information must be completed and received by the AENJ Scholarship chair no later than March 15th. Incomplete applications will be automatically disqualified.

Submission Requirements: A candidate for the High School Student Scholarship must submit the original and a copy of the following (except slides and school transcript):
A letter of Nomination.
A portfolio which represents the area of study being pursued. This portfolio must be in digital format. The portfolio should include ten examples of your art work (include at least two drawings). Identify each work with a number and your first and last name. Enclose a numbered list of the works indicating the title, size and medium of each work.
Two letters of recommendation that indicate your potential as an art student. One of the letters must be from an art educator who has worked with you in the classroom and is a current active member of the AENJ for at least two consecutive years.
An essay of not less than two hundred and fifty words and no more than three hundred and fifty words, telling about yourself and your interest in art. Please include your involvement in the arts outside the school, extracurricular activities, exhibits, honors and awards.
The most recent official high school transcript obtained from your Guidance Counselor (indicate a four or five point grading system). Include your grade point average as of December 31st of the current school year. This may be sent separately to the chairperson indicated below.
A copy of current SAT scores.
If possible, enclose a copy of a letter of acceptance from a college or art school.
Proof of USA citizenship (photocopy of birth certificate or passport).
Completely filled out Scholarship Form.

Place all of the above materials in one envelope and mail to:

Scholarship Committee Chair
Dr. Kim Defibaugh
410 Sunrise Blvd.
Forked River, NJ 08731-1938

Please include:

COVER PAGE
AENJ VISUAL ART SCHOLARSHIP
PAST PRESIDENTS’ GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
OR
COLLEGE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP

Evaluator’s Name
Date
Student’s Name
1. Porfolio (Visual Work must be submitted on CD or DVD in Digital Format)
2. Essay
3. Transcript
4. SAT Scores (HS Scholarship only)
5. Applicant’s AENJ Membership (College & Graduate Scholarships only)
6. Nominator’s Letter with proof of AENJ Active Membership
7. Support Letter #1
8. Support Letter # 2
9. Proof of USA citizenship
10. Completed Form
11. Acceptance to Graduate Program (Graduate Scholarship)
12. Current Professional Status (Graduate Scholarship)