American Academy of Bookbinding Scholarships

Stepan tutorial, bookbinding, American Academy of Bookbinding, AAB, book binding, instructional, scholarship 0 Comment February 5, 2016

It is time to apply for one of the scholarships offered by the American Academy of Bookbinding. I’ve used that chance last year and I’m very happy that I was lucky to receive the scholarship and to attend two wonderful courses: Box Making with Peter Geraty and Fine Binding with Don Glaister. These three weeks were one of the best I had in the recent years =)

There are two scholarship options available for this year’s classes. The Fine Binding Scholarship is a $3000 award for individuals, interested in long-term development and reaching a professional level. You can apply these funds towards tuition and/or spend a limited part on housing. Additional $300 would be awarded to cover purchase of materials at AAB.

Open Scholarship Program is available for any new or returning student. It was created to boost diversity, support younger students and those for whom coming to AAB could be a financial burden. Five $1000 awards are available in 2016.

There is also an option of Tuition Assistance. Qualified applicants would be granted either $400 for a one-week class or $800 for two-week class.

Fine Binding Scholarship

Award criteria

Funds must be used for course work at AAB and housing in Telluride only.
The recipient may apply funds to a single class, or multiple classes in succession. Funds may also be distributed for course work throughout the year they are granted but must be used in the calendar year they are awarded.
Greater than 50 percent of the funds must be applied towards tuition.
Fine Binding students may apply. Diploma aspirant preferred, but not required.
The applicant must be a pre-existing or current student in Telluride.
Funds are not transferable to another year or to another student.
Only one recipient will be chosen per year.
A recipient may apply and be awarded the scholarship in subsequent years.

Application procedure

Completed registration form.
One-page written statement and/or a 10 minute video about your interest and experience in fine binding, why you feel you deserve the award and a statement addressing your long-term goals.
Five photos of three different recent bindings.
Mail or email all application materials to the American Academy of Bookbinding by March 1, 2016. A decision will be made by March 15, 2016 and all applicants will be notified the result.

Open Scholarship Program

Application procedure

Applicants must submit the following:

Personal statement concerning interest in bookbinding or related field.
Statement of financial need.
Photos, if available, of recent work. This may or may not be related to bookbinding, but rather another endeavor, interest or pursuit.
Completed course registration.
Mail or email all application materials to the American Academy of Bookbinding by March 1, 2016. A decision will be made by March 15, 2016 and all applicants will be notified the result.

Tuition Assistance

Award criteria

Demonstrated financial need
Interest in bookbinding and/or book preservation
Availability of funds per fiscal year

Application deadlines

Students may apply for assistance up to 60 days before the course they wish to take. Support is typically only provided for one class per year though applications may be considered for an additional class.

Application procedure

In an effort to make the process as equitable as possible, all financial aid applicants are required to submit the following:

Financial Aid Application Form (download from AAB website or contact AAB to receive a copy)
Course Registration Form
and required attachments
A 50% deposit for the course. Deposit will be refunded if the applicant receives no assistance
Copy of most recent tax return (first two pages only)
Email, or mail all the documents to the American Academy of Bookbinding a minimum of 60 days prior to the course for which assistance is needed. All applicants will be notified within two weeks of the receipt of the application. All decisions will be final.

More details at AAB official web site:

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