The Art Department provides five endowed scholarships exclusively for art majors or BFA candidates. These scholarships are made possible by friends and patrons of the Art Department, who wish to provide assistance to asipiring young artists through their college education. Details for these scholarships are provided below.

Should a student plan to seek more scholarships, Student Financial Services has more information on general scholarships such as the Excellence Scholarships and General Endowed Scholarships.

Hilda Mitchell, a Decatur native, was a prodigious artist and a professor at the Florence State Teacher’s College (UNA’s predecessor). Her lengthy career inspired many local artists, educators, and professionals. The University of North Alabama National Alumni Association honors Hilda Mitchell and continues her legacy of inspiring artists with this scholarship.

Scholarship Criteria

• Full time juniors and seniors declared majors in art.
• Minimum 2.75 GPA.
• Submit two letters of recommendation attesting to applicant’s artistic talents, personality, and character.
• Submit statement of philosophy and career goals.
• Submit folding style portfolio of work.
• Preference given to applicants who demonstrate high quality work in portfolios, with consideration given to academic merit, talent, character, and demonstrated achievement in art.
• Portfolio should contain 15 examples of current work, both monochromatic and color, presented neatly, matted, or framed when suitable.
• 3-D work may accompany the portfolio if it relates to the applicant’s area of interest.

This scholarship is non-renewable and lasts one year. However, students may reapply.

The Art Department’s Patron scholarship is established through the collective generosity of alumni, community members, local artists, and art enthusiasts who wish to help more students understand and take part in Art. The donations have been collected into a single endowment over the years and now helps fund aspiring art students.

Scholarship Criteria

• Declared major in art.
• GPA not stipulated, nor specific geographical location.
• Qualifications vary depending on student’s level of entry (freshman, transfer, or currently enrolled).
• All applicants require presentation of portfolio and personal interview.

This scholarship is non-renewable and lasts one year. However, students may reapply.

Doris Gabel Cox Welch was a Florence native and UNA (then Florence State College) graduate. Doris had a distinguished teaching career throughout Alabama in many different institutions. In 1999, she also received a Fulbright Scholarship for her study of the Art and Culture of Turkey. Doris established this endowed scholarship to help UNA provide its brand of personalized art education and produce more empowered members of the community.

Scholarship Criteria

• Full time students with declared majors in the fine arts.
• Minimum GPA 2.75.
• Two letters of recommendation attesting to applicant’s artistic talents, personality, character.
• Submit artistic philosophy and career goals.
• Submit folding-style portfolio of work.
• Preference given to applicants who demonstrate high quality work in portfolios and academic merit, talent, character and demonstrated achievement in art.
• Portfolio should contain 15 examples of current work, both monochromatic and color, presented neatly, matted or framed where suitable.
• 3-D work may accompany the portfolio if it relates to applicant’s area of interest.

This scholarship is non-renewable and lasts one year. However, students may reapply.

The Mary Eileen and Clark D. Mueller Endowed Scholarship will be granted by a committee comprised of three or more full-time Art faculty in consultation with the Office of Financial Aid. At the discretion of the Department Chair, an artist from the community may serve on the committee. The selection is based on the following criteria.

• Student in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program. 
• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a cumulative GPA in studio art of 3.25.
• Submit an art portfolio for review.
• Submit a written statement of career goals and financial need.
• Give an oral interview with the selection committee.

Dr. Michael Moeller, potter and retired professor of Chemistry, established this scholarship by teaching a full course load for two semesters after his retirement. Throughout most of his life, Dr. Moeller has been part of a school, either as a student or an educator. He understands personally the power and value of higher education. These endowments are to give more students an opportunity at higher education.

“Don’t Be a Fool, Stay in School.”  -Philadelphia bus slogans, as seen by a young Michael Moeller.

Scholarship Criteria

• Pursuing a BFA in Art.
• A full-time student at UNA and make satisfactory progress toward graduation.
• Enrolled in a least one art course for both fall and spring semesters.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all art courses taken at UNA.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all courses taken at UNA.
• Submit their art portfolios for yearly review to maintain eligibility.