For Missouri college students building a future in fashion — from design and merchandising to beauty, photography, journalism, and sustainability — the Saint Louis Fashion Fund is offering a new opportunity to help them move their dreams forward. Applications for one of six $5,000 Susan Sherman Scholarships are due by 5 p.m. on May 15, 2026.
Along with financial support, recipients will receive mentorship and assistance securing internship opportunities — resources that can be just as transformative as the scholarship itself.
The Fashion Fund, which serves as a leading advocate for the region’s fashion ecosystem, sees the program as an extension of its mission to grow and nurture emerging talent. The organization works closely with students, brands, and fashion professionals to strengthen St. Louis’ presence in the industry.
To qualify, applicants must be enrolled in an accredited Missouri college or university — including schools in the 16-county St. Louis metropolitan area — and must have completed at least one full semester of coursework. Students must also be pursuing a fashion-related program, maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA, and demonstrate financial need.
The application requires several components: proof of financial need, an academic transcript, a list of extracurricular activities, and a recommendation letter from a teacher or professor. Students must also submit a video of up to three minutes explaining why they want to pursue a career in fashion, along with illustrations, images, or footage of their work or collection. Applicants must include full contact information, class year, school, and the name of a parent or guardian.
The Fashion Fund will consider students across four categories: fashion design, fashion merchandising, fashion entrepreneurship, and a broad creatives category that includes beauty, photography, journalism, sustainability, and other fashion-adjacent fields.
Scholarship recipients will be notified beginning July 1 and will be invited — along with a parent or guardian — to a formal award presentation in St. Louis on July 30. The awards ceremony takes place at the Fashion Fund’s annual “Fashion Futures Sendoff” in partnership with Caleres and Neiman Marcus.
Students must remain in good academic standing and continue in their stated program of study to retain the award. Funds must be used for education-related expenses and will be disbursed directly to recipients. Applicants also grant the Fashion Fund permission to use their name, likeness, and submitted materials for promotional purposes.
For many students, the scholarship represents more than financial support — it’s a signal that their creative ambitions are seen, valued, and worth investing in.
For more information and to apply, visit www.saintlouisfashionfund.org/scholarship.
Questions about the scholarship can be directed to Dwight Carter at dwight@brainchildevents.com.