FSF Community Colleges Initiative
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. To date, PVH Foundation and True Religion have joined The VF Foundation in creating scholarship programs to support community college students interested in a career in fashion.
In 2024, FSF awarded the following scholarships for community college students pursuing two-year associate degrees who have an interest in a fashion design or business 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 will be paired with FSF Alumni as mentors and will undertake an intensive career awareness and skills-building program, including an all-expense-paid, in-person Summer Industry Immersive Program in New York City or California.
The FSF Community Colleges Initiative 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 general areas applicable to the fashion industry (including marketing and business operations) are eligible.
program goals
The goals of the FSF Community Colleges Initiative are 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.
program overview
The Community College Scholars selected for the 2024 FSF Spring/Summer Scholarship Program:
Received a cash award of $5,000 (issued in two installments in June and September contingent on program completion).
Participated in a three-day Fashion Industry Immersive Program in New York or California. The program introduced all Community College Scholars to the fashion industry workplace and the day-to-day experiences of professionals working in specific departments. Costs of participation were arranged and/or reimbursed by the FSF.
Were paired with FSF Alumni Mentors. Each Community College Scholar was matched according to discipline for a meaningful mentorship experience with a former FSF Scholar who graduated from college and moved on to a fashion industry career. The program is designed with regular monthly check-ins between Mentors and Mentees.
Tuned into the FSF Summer Scholar Series, 10 weeks of virtual programming, including professional development workshops and master classes. Community College Scholars who completed at least 6 one-hour virtual educational webinars from May to August received a Certificate of Completion.
“Everyone, from the FSF staff to the other students to the fashion leaders we interacted with, were amazing, friendly, unique, and welcoming. The diverse group of students created a fun and inclusive atmosphere. Each of us absorbed as much information as possible from this invaluable experience. But, above all, we all shared dreams, goals, and the willingness to utilize this opportunity as a stepping stone toward achieving them.”
Jose Martinez Polanco
Hostos Community College (Bronx, NY)
application Process
Community College Scholarship applicants will be nominated by the FSF faculty member at their respective schools.
Each School should nominate eight to ten students for consideration. The application will consist of the following:
One letter of recommendation from a faculty member.
Copy of college transcript through Fall 2024 semester (or full high school transcript)
A short video of 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 would bring to the program?
“This opportunity enabled me to envision a clear path for my future and opened up my potential for growth and helped me shape my aspirations within the vast diversity of the fashion industry. I am immensely grateful for this experience.”
Daniela Franco, El Camino College (Torrance, CA)
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.
TIMELINE
The 2025 FSF Community College Scholarship application process began September 1, 2024.
The 2025 FSF Scholarship deadline for applications is December 31, 2024. Students should submit the required documents referenced above to Katie Simone at ksimone@fashionscholarshipfund.org.
The 2025 FSF Community College Scholarship recipients will be announced by February 28, 2025.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Marie Colletta, Senior Director 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