Overview
The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship is a partnership between the NAACP Hollywood Bureau and Society Awards, the manufacturer of the NAACP Image Awards trophy. Established in 2020, the scholarship provides cash awards to Black students and students of color pursuing undergraduate degrees in visual and performing arts fields, including film, theater, fashion, photography, graphic design, dance, music, journalism, and mass communications.
The NAACP Hollywood Bureau is the organization's entertainment industry arm, advocating for equitable opportunity and authentic representation both in front of and behind the camera. The Bureau oversees production of the NAACP Image Awards and builds partnerships with studios, networks, and industry organizations to create pathways into the entertainment industry for people of color.
Society Awards is a New York-based design and manufacturing company that produces trophies for major entertainment awards. The company partnered with the NAACP to fund this scholarship as a way to support commercial art education and build a pipeline of diverse creative talent.
Three scholarships are awarded each cycle: the highest-ranked application receives $5,000, the second-highest receives $2,000, and the third receives $1,000. The scholarship is non-renewable but students can reapply each year if they continue to meet eligibility requirements.
What It Covers
- $5,000 cash award for the highest-ranked application
- $2,000 cash award for the second-highest ranked application
- $1,000 cash award for the third-highest ranked application
- NAACP membership community access through the Inspire Initiatives program
- Recognition within the NAACP Hollywood Bureau network of entertainment industry professionals
The scholarship funds can be applied toward tuition, fees, books, and educational expenses at any accredited US college or university. The award is paid directly to the recipient, not to the institution.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a member of the NAACP. Non-members can join at naacp.org/take-action/become-member before applying
- Be currently enrolled full-time or accepted to an accredited college or university in the US
- Be a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student
- Possess a GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 system
- Demonstrate interest in pursuing a career in the visual or performing arts field (film, theater, fashion, photography, graphic design, dance, music, journalism, or mass communications)
- Be a US resident or citizen
Graduate students are not eligible for this specific scholarship. The NAACP offers other scholarships through its Inspire Initiatives program that may be available to graduate students; check the NAACP scholarships page for the full list.
How to Apply
Applications open on April 13, 2026, and close on May 22, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Recipients are announced in Summer 2026.
The application is completed online through the NAACP website. Required materials include:
- Personal and demographic information
- Name of college you plan to attend
- Intended major
- FAFSA Submission Summary
- GPA information
- ACT/SAT scores (if applicable)
- List of honors, activities, and volunteer work
- Transcripts
- Professional headshot
- Resume
The application process requires creating an account on the NAACP website, selecting the scholarship(s) you are eligible for, completing all required fields, uploading documents, and submitting before the deadline. The NAACP does not accept late applications.
Selection Timeline
| Stage | Timeline |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | April 13, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | May 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET |
| Judging Period | Within 45 days of close |
| Recipients Announced | Summer 2026 |
Related NAACP Hollywood Bureau Programs
The NAACP Hollywood Bureau administers additional programs beyond the Society Awards Scholarship:
- CBS/USC/NAACP Scholarship and Internship Program: A partnership between NAACP, Viacom CBS, and USC providing an annual scholarship to a graduate student in the USC School of Cinematic Arts writing program. The recipient also receives consideration for the CBS WriterMentor Program and an internship with the NAACP Hollywood Bureau during the Image Awards production.
- Summer Production Internship: A 10-week paid internship program for undergraduate students at the Hollywood Bureau in Los Angeles. The 2026 program runs from May 26 through July 31, 2026. Interns work five days a week with Bureau staff on production projects, event coordination, and content creation. Travel and housing in Los Angeles are the responsibility of the intern, but travel and housing for the NAACP Annual Convention are provided.
How the Scholarship Compares to Other Film Funding
The $1,000 to $5,000 award range makes this scholarship a supplemental funding source rather than a full tuition replacement. For context:
| Institution | Approximate Annual Tuition (2025-2026) |
|---|---|
| Community college (in-state) | $3,500 to $5,000 |
| Public university (in-state) | $10,000 to $15,000 |
| Public university (out-of-state) | $25,000 to $40,000 |
| Private university | $35,000 to $65,000+ |
The $5,000 top award can cover a meaningful portion of tuition at a community college or in-state public university. At a private film school, it represents less than 10 percent of annual tuition. Most recipients will need to combine this scholarship with other funding sources: federal financial aid, university scholarships, private grants, and personal savings.
The NAACP community access and Hollywood Bureau network connections may provide equal or greater long-term value than the cash award, particularly for students seeking entry points into the entertainment industry.
Who Should Apply
Black students and students of color who are graduating high school seniors or undergraduates enrolled full-time at accredited US institutions, pursuing a degree in film, theater, photography, graphic design, or other visual and performing arts fields, and who need supplemental financial support. Applicants must be NAACP members with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Students who are not yet NAACP members can join before applying. Membership dues are modest and provide access to all NAACP scholarship opportunities, not just this one. The NAACP offers multiple scholarships through its Inspire Initiatives program, and a single application account allows you to apply for multiple scholarships if you meet the eligibility criteria for each.
Common Confusions
This is not a film-specific scholarship. The NAACP x Society Awards Scholarship is for students pursuing any visual or performing arts field, including film but also theater, fashion, photography, graphic design, dance, music, journalism, and mass communications. Film students are eligible, but they compete against applicants from all visual and performing arts disciplines.
The scholarship is for undergraduates only. Graduate students are not eligible for this specific award. The NAACP offers other scholarships that may be open to graduate students; check the full list on the NAACP scholarships page.
You must be a NAACP member to apply. Non-members cannot apply. Membership can be obtained at naacp.org before submitting the scholarship application. This is a hard requirement, not a recommendation.
The award is paid to the recipient, not the institution. Unlike some scholarships that disburse funds directly to the school, this scholarship pays the recipient. This means the funds can be used for any educational expense, but it also means the recipient is responsible for managing the funds appropriately.
See Also
For comparing undergraduate film programs, see Choosing a Film School. To plan your student film production, use the Production Budget Calculator. For exploring other funding opportunities, browse the full Film Scholarships Directory.
Scholarship and Education Resources
The Scholarship Handbook
A comprehensive guide to finding and winning scholarships, with strategies for application essays and interview preparation.
The Film School Handbook
A practical guide to choosing, applying to, and funding film school, covering undergraduate and graduate programs.
Student Filmmaking Gear
Browse B&H Photo's selection of affordable camera kits, audio recorders, and lighting for student productions.
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