2026 FSF COMMUNITY COLLEGE Scholarship Program

In 2020, The VF Foundation funded an innovative pilot scholarship program at the FSF to identify and support students enrolled in two-year community colleges who aspire to careers in the fashion and fashion-adjacent industries. In 2025, FSF awarded the following scholarships for Community College students pursuing two-year associate degrees and who have an interest in a fashion career.

• The VF Foundation x FSF Community College Scholarships: twenty (20) scholarships of $5,000 each

• PVH Foundation x FSF Community College Scholarships: ten (10) scholarships of $5,000 each

• True Religion x FSF Community College Bridge Scholarship: two (2) scholarships of $5,000 each, awarded to community college students from the greater Los Angeles area with aspirations to transfer to a 4-year degree program

All Community College Scholars were paired with FSF Alumni as mentors and underwent an intensive career awareness and skills-building program, including an all-expense-paid, in-person Summer Industry Immersion Experience in New York City or Los Angeles.

The FSF Community College Scholarship reflects the industry’s keen interest in expanding the pipeline of talented future employees, especially those from backgrounds underrepresented in the fashion industry.  Community College students pursuing studies in areas applicable to the fashion industry (including design, marketing, merchandising, and business operations) are eligible.

program goals

The goal of the FSF Community College Program is to offer Community College students:

• An introduction to the industry’s sectors, range of career paths, and different job “disciplines” in the industry.

• Opportunities to develop professional knowledge and skills directly relevant to one’s own career interests.

• Opportunities to make important industry connections and build a network of peers and professionals.

application Process

Community College Scholarship applicants will be nominated by a faculty member at their respective schools.

ELIGIBILITY

All applicants must:

• Have a high school diploma.

• Be currently enrolled in an accredited community college, pursuing a course of study in a creative or business discipline leading to a two-year associate degree.

• Have potential for, and an interest in, a career in the fashion industry.

Each School should nominate a minimum of ten students for consideration. The application will consist of the following:

• Copy of college transcript through Fall 2025 semester (or full high school transcript)

• A short video, no more than two minutes in which applicants address these questions:

  • Why are you interested in the fashion industry?

  • How would the FSF Community College Scholarship program help you meet your career goals?

  • Is there anything about you and your personal journey that would help us understand what you will bring to the scholarship class?

• You are required to submit one class assignment to showcase your creative or business talent. The assignment must be relevant to the fashion industry and may be submitted in one of the following formats:

  • Short Essay (2-3 pages, double spaced)

  • PowerPoint Presentation (4-8 slides)

  • Portfolio (curated selection of your work with brief descriptions)

• Faculty Review: It is strongly encouraged that a faculty member reviews your assignment prior to submission to the Fashion Scholarship Fund to ensure you are presenting your best work. 

• Your submission should demonstrate originality, critical thinking, and a clear connection to the fashion industry.

TIMELINE

• The 2026 FSF Community College Scholarship application process will begin September 1, 2025. 

• The 2026 FSF Scholarship deadline for applications is December 31, 2025. Students should submit the required documents referenced above to Katie Simone at ksimone@fashionscholarshipfund.org.

• The 2026 FSF Community College Scholarship recipients will be announced by March 1st, 2026

FSF Community College Member Schools

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Marie Colletta, Head of Education Programs, mcolletta@fashionscholarshipfund.org

Katie Simone, Manager of Education Programs, ksimone@fashionscholarshipfund.org

For partnership opportunities and for more information on how to support the FSF Community Colleges Initiative, please reach out to Anya Kaplan, Director of Partnerships, akaplan@fashionscholarshipfund.org