Scholarships and Grants

Columbia College Hollywood is committed to cultivating, inspiring, and empowering students with a wide variety of need- and merit-based scholarships and grants. Unlike student loans, these scholarships and grants don’t have to be repaid and are awarded exclusively to Columbia College Hollywood students enrolled on the Los Angeles Main Campus, at Flashpoint Chicago, and in a CCH Online degree program.

Each scholarship or grant has specific eligibility requirements, application instructions, and submission deadlines. Once awarded, most scholarships can be renewed annually, if qualifications are met. New students are encouraged to apply for all scholarships for which they may be eligible, as some scholarships can be combined up to an award total of $50,000 over the duration of a bachelor’s degree program or $25,000 over the duration of an associate degree program.

Scholarship deadline information can be found here.

All institutional grants and scholarships are non-transferable and carry no redeemable cash value. Credit balances created as the result of the application of an institutional grant(s) or scholarship(s) to a student account will be retained on the student’s account and applied to the subsequent term(s) until exhausted. Final scholarship awards are at the sole discretion of the Scholarship Committee. In the event that a student delays their original start date, all institutional scholarship and grant awards may be forfeited.

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Scholarship Descriptions

The Early Decision Scholarship is awarded to 2020 high school graduates who submit an application for admission to Columbia College Hollywood or Flashpoint Chicago on or before December 31, 2019. All application materials, supporting documents, transcripts, and financial aid applications and documents must be submitted by January 10. 2020.

MAXIMUM AWARD VALUE

BFA Programs $5,000 per program $1,250 per academic year $417 per 16-credit term
AFA/AAS Programs $2,500 per program $1,250 per academic year $417 per 16-credit term

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the Early Decision Scholarship, a student must:

  • Be scheduled to graduate from high school in 2020
  • Apply for admission to the college by December 31, 2019
  • Submit all required admissions materials, supporting documents, and transcripts prior to January 10, 2020
  • Financial Aid Applicants:  Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by January 10. 2020
  • For continued eligibility beyond the first academic year, the student must:
    • Maintain a CGPA of 3.0 or higher during each term
    • Enroll in a minimum of 8 credits per term

DISTRIBUTION

Award funds are applied in installments over the duration of the degree program. Students enrolled for 16 credits per term will receive the maximum award of $1,250 per academic year/$417 per term. Students enrolled for 12 credits will receive 75% of the per-term award. Students enrolled for 8 credits will receive 50% of the per-term award.

The Opportunity Grant provides extra tuition assistance to students who demonstrate financial need and are newly enrolled in a degree program with an original program start date during the 2020 calendar year.

MAXIMUM AWARD VALUE

BFA Programs $10,000 per program $2,500 per academic year $834 per 16-credit term
AFA/AAS Programs $5,000 per program $2,500 per academic year $834 per 16-credit term

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the Opportunity Grant, a student must:

  • Be newly enrolled in a degree program with an original program start date during the 2020 calendar year
  • Be Pell Grant eligible
  • Be enrolled in a minimum of 8 credits per term
  • Maintain Pell Grant eligibility for continued eligibility beyond 1st academic year

DISTRIBUTION

Award funds are applied in installments over the duration of the degree program. Students enrolled for 16 credits per term will receive a maximum per-term award of $834 per term. Students enrolled for 12 credits will receive 75% of the per-term award. Students enrolled for 8 credits will receive 50% of the per-term award.

The Academic Achievement Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded to students who are newly enrolled in a degree program with an original program start date during the 2020 calendar year.

MAXIMUM AWARD VALUE

BFA Programs $25,000 per program $6,250 per academic year $2,083 per 16-credit term
AFA/AAS Programs $12,500 per program $6,250 per academic year $2,083 per 16-credit term

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the Academic Achievement Scholarship, a student must:

  • Be newly enrolled in a degree program with an original program start date during the 2020 calendar year
  • Enroll for a minimum of 8 credits per term
  • Must meet the following CGPA or GED Test Score criteria at the time of Admission Committee review:
    • Los Angeles applicants
      • Show proof of an unweighted CGPA of 3.00 or higher on a 4.0 scale from the most recently attended accredited institution
    • Flashpoint Chicago applicants
      • Show proof of an unweighted CGPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale from the most recently attended accredited institution
    • GED – Both Campuses
      • GED 2014-present (Fifth Test Series) Average Score: 175 or higher
      • GED 2002-2013 (Fourth Test Series) Average Score: 550 or higher
      • GED 1988-2001 (Third Test Series) Average Score: 45 or higher
  • For continued eligibility beyond the first enrolled quarter, the student must
    • Maintain a CGPA of 3.0 or higher during each term
    • Enroll in a minimum of 8 credits per term

DISTRIBUTION

Award funds are applied in installments over the duration of the degree program. Students enrolled for 16 credits per term will receive the maximum award of $6,250 per academic year/$2,083 per term. Students enrolled for 12 credits will receive 75% of the per-term award. Students enrolled for 8 credits will receive 50% of the per-term award.

The Presidential Scholarship is awarded to students who have successfully completed their first academic year at Columbia College Hollywood in Los Angeles, Chicago, or Online and who demonstrate extraordinary academic achievement throughout their enrollment in a degree program.

MAXIMUM AWARD VALUE

BFA/AFA/AAS Programs $10,000 per awarded academic year $3,333 per 16-credit term in awarded year

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the Presidential Scholarship, a student must:

  • Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher
  • Enroll for a minimum of 8 credits
  • Successfully complete the first academic year, including a minimum of 36 quarter credit hours
  • Submit the following for Scholarship Committee Review:
    • An essay discussing their future goals and how this scholarship will help them reach those goals.  Essays must be a minimum of 750 words
    • One (1) letter of recommendation from a full-time faculty member
  • Los Angeles submissions:
  • Flashpoint Chicago submissions:

DISTRIBUTION

Award funds are applied in installments during the awarded academic year.

Awardees will be determined by Scholarship Committee review. Submissions are accepted at any time during the academic year. The college reserves the right to withhold the scholarship for any year in which, at the sole discretion of the Scholarship Committee, suitable candidates cannot be found among applicants. Final scholarship awards are at the sole discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

The Creative Contributor Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship awarded to exceptionally creative students who are newly enrolled in a degree program with an original program start date during the 2020 calendar year.

MAXIMUM AWARD VALUE

BFA Programs $50,000 per program $12,500 per academic year $4,167 per 16-credit term
AFA/AAS Programs $25,000 per program $12,500 per academic year $4,167 per 16-credit term

ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for the Creative Contributor Scholarship, a student must:

  • Be newly enrolled in a degree program with an original program start date during the 2020 calendar year
  • Submit two (2) letters of recommendation that support the applicant’s creativity and dedication to the media arts. Recommendation letters should demonstrate that the applicant has the drive, ability, and commitment needed to complete a college education. Letters of Recommendation must be from an appropriate character reference, such as an administrator, teacher, counselor, entertainment professional, employer, or former employer
  • Enroll for a minimum of 8 credits per term
  • Submit, at minimum, one of the following for Scholarship Committee Review:
    • A portfolio of the applicant’s original creative work that meets the submission criteria for the applicant’s enrolled degree program. See Portfolio Submission Criteria below
    • A 750-word essay (minimum) that demonstrates deep engagement in a significant community initiative and evidence of how that engagement has had a positive impact on the lives of others
  • For continued eligibility beyond the first academic year, the student must:
    • Maintain a CGPA of 3.0 or higher during each term
    • Enroll in a minimum of 8 credits per term

WHERE & HOW TO SUBMIT

  • Los Angeles campus and Online program applicants:
    • Email completed submissions directly to their Admissions Counselor
  • Flashpoint Chicago and Online program applicants:
    • Email completed submissions directly to their Admissions Counselor

DISTRIBUTION

Award funds are applied in installments over the duration of the degree program. Students enrolled for 16 credits per term will receive the maximum award of $12,500 per academic year/$4,167 per term. Students enrolled for 12 credits will receive 75% of the per-term award. Students enrolled for 8 credits will receive 50% of the per-term award.

PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION CRITERIA:

FILM + CINEMA

A Film + Cinema portfolio must demonstrate creativity, skill, and collaboration through film work samples that meet the below criteria. Portfolios will be judged based on the student’s vision as evidenced by originality and clarity of story, technical ability, and overall production quality.

Film work portfolio submissions must include:

  1. Five (5) pieces of ANY of the following types of film work submitted according to the below specifications:
    • Short films of 10 minutes or less delivered in .MOV file format
    • Still photographs delivered in .JPG or .PDF file format
    • Screenplays, written stories, or essays delivered in .PDF file format
    • Storyboards accompanied by a shot list delivered in .JPG or .PDF file format
  2. A minimum one-page write-up that describes the following:
    • The applicant’s specific contribution to the work
    • The inspiration for the piece
    • The aesthetic and creative concepts for the piece
MUSIC + SOUND DESIGN

A Music + Sound Design portfolio must demonstrate creativity, skill, and collaboration through recording arts work samples that meet the below criteria. Portfolios will be judged based on the student’s original work only. Work submitted must be of sufficient length to show quality and creativity.

Music and Sound Design portfolio submissions must include:

  1. ONE of the following three types of portfolios:
    • A portfolio of personally recorded and/or mixed songs or instrumentals
      • Minimum 3 minutes in length
      • Delivered in Stereo .WAV file format / minimum 16-bit / 44.1 kHz
      • Any musical style; however, music that incorporates recording with mixing human voice and/or physical instruments will take precedence over use of electronic instruments/soft synths
    • A portfolio of original sound design work for film, theater, or other media
      • An original sound design for visual media delivered in .MOV file format OR An original sound design not synced to visual media delivered in Stereo .WAV file format / minimum 16-bit / 44.1 kHz
    • A mixed portfolio of personally recorded and/or mixed music songs or instrumentals and original sound design work for film, theatre, or other media, delivered according to the specifications above.
  2. A minimum one-page write-up that describes the following:
    • The applicant’s specific contribution to the work
    • Instrumentation of the songs
    • The applicant’s approach to the submitted recordings, mixes, or designs
GRAPHIC DESIGN & INTERACTIVE MEDIA/ VISUAL EFFECTS + ANIMATION

A Graphic Design & Interactive Media/ Visual Effects + Animation portfolio must demonstrate creativity, skill, and collaboration through graphic design, interactive media, visual effects, or animation work samples that meet the below criteria. Portfolios must include only original work done by the applicant.

Graphic Design and Interactive Media portfolio submissions must include:

7-10 pieces of original work done by the applicant

  • Can be traditional art, photography, or design work
  • Delivered in .PPT or .PDF file format

VFX and Animation portfolio submissions must include:

7-10 pieces of original work done by the applicant, including

  • Traditional art, photography, design work delivered in .PPT or .PDF file format
  • Visual effects or animation work delivered via Vimeo link to a hosted version of the video file

Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Scholarship Program
Columbia College Hollywood at Flashpoint Chicago participates in the Yellow Ribbon Scholarship Program to assist new and continuing veteran students in funding their education. Under the Yellow Ribbon Program, the college coordinates with the Veterans Benefit Administration (VBA) to ensure full coverage of a veteran’s institutional charges from the college.

MAXIMUM AWARD VALUE

The college’s scholarship amount ensures that the veteran student’s tuition and fees are covered 100% despite the annual cap set by the VA.

ELIGIBILITY

In order to access this benefit, a veteran student must qualify into the 100% coverage tier of the Chapter 33 Benefits Program.

Please see the School Certifying Official on the student’s campus of enrollment for current contribution rates and distribution information.

LOS ANGELES CAMPUS CHICAGO CAMPUS
Ashley Mendoza

Accounting Manager

Columbia College Hollywood

18618 Oxnard Street

Los Angeles, CA 91356 U.S.A.

amendoza@columbiacollege.edu

Krystle Pantek

Disbursements and VA Benefits Coordinator

Flashpoint Chicago, A Campus of Columbia College Hollywood

28 N. Clark Street, Suite 500

Chicago, IL  60602 U.S.A.

krystle.joerg@columbiacollege.edu

Note: Students using Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits (CH31) or Post-9/11 G.I. Bill® (CH33) will be allowed to enroll in and attend courses and access campus facilities while the college awaits payment for tuition and fees from the VA. While awaiting receipt of funds from the VA, Columbia College Hollywood will not impose any penalty, charge late fees, or require an eligible student to borrow additional funds to cover tuition or fees. This waiting period begins on the date the student provides appropriate documentation and continues until funds are received from the VA, up to 90 days after the School Certifying Official has certified the student’s enrollment for tuition and fees.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill

 

 

About Flashpoint Chicago

Flashpoint Chicago is where visual arts thrive. With campuses in Los Angeles and Chicago, we provide accessible college education that fuses creative studies in film, graphic design, visual effects, and interactive media with liberal arts.

We aim to cultivate the talents of our students with our unique learn-by-doing approach. Our college degree programs allow students to immerse themselves in their discipline as well as cross-discipline projects that simulate work for a well-rounded experience. Here they will develop confidence in their abilities and build lifelong connections.