The Experience
Image Description: Parsons signage and flags on 5th Avenue and 13th street. Cars and people are passing by on the street.
Financial benefits
We recognize the financial barriers that Disabled students often face when applying for higher education. Students in the Parsons Disabled Fashion Student Program receive tailored financial support for tuition, living expenses, and access needs throughout their studies at Parsons.
The amount of funding students receive is based on their financial need.
This scholarship is only available to students enrolled in the BFA Fashion Design or MFA Fashion Design & Society programs in the School of Fashion at Parsons School of Design.
Scholarships from the Parsons Disabled Fashion Student Program are granted on top of any merit or institutional aid from Parsons and The New School, as well as federal aid where applicable. Total funding cannot exceed the cost of attendance.
Scholarship packages from this program range from $50,000 to $90,000 USD per year.
of students admitted to Parsons in 2022/2023 received institutional financial aid, underscoring our commitment to making a Parsons education more accessible.
Both U.S. and non-U.S. citizens are eligible to apply. U.S citizens are encouraged to submit the FAFSA.
Scholarships are renewable each year of the program, provided students remain in good academic standing.
The Parsons Experience
The fashion education experience at Parsons is unique because of the school’s deep relationship with the fashion industry in New York City. Relationships encompass mentorships, connections, and guidance between industry professionals, faculty, and students.
Parsons School of Fashion is committed to making access, equity, and justice the standard in fashion. We practice this vision through our courses that highlight fashion and its intersection with social and climate justice, including courses such as Indigenous Fashion; Fat Fashion: Design for Large Bodies; Blackness and Fashion; Fashion and Disability Justice; Latin American Fashion; Multi-Sensory Design; and Fashion and the Land.
Image Description: A person holding a smart phone with the Parsons website open in a browser. The page says "Experience a day in the life of a new school student".
Image Description: Three people against a gray wall. Sky Cubacub on the left wears pink and blue scalemaille headpiece, chainmaille crop top with clear shoulder details, and sleeveless bodysuit colorblocked with neon and black-and-white triangle pattern, with wrestling boots in silver and turquoise. Alice Wong, an Asian woman who uses a power wheelchair, has a knit pink hat, using a ventilator, and black-and-white zigzag leggings with the seams on the outside, hooded cape with teal and orange color blocking. Nina Litoff on the far right kneels down, wearing a black chainmaille chestpiece with a black sheer tank dress with a chevron piece over their chest and a black and silver holo skirt under. All three wear colorful makeup and look directly at the camera.
Disability Services
The New School offers support and accommodations for Disabled students through the office of Student Disability Services. The New School seeks to foster an environment that encourages all students to reach their highest level of achievement. Through various student services and programs, the university emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing diversity.
In addition to Student Disability Services, students in this program will also have Faculty Access Mentors.
Faculty Access Mentors
Every student is paired with a Faculty Access Mentor to assist their journey at Parsons. Faculty Access Mentors provide a space to talk through accessibility challenges and brainstorm solutions. They will also help their student navigate disability services and their academic experience. All Faculty Access Mentors are trained and have experience in accessibility.
Image Description: Sinéad, a white, Queer, physically Disabled woman with shoulder-length brown hair wearing a midi-length pleated a-frame button up dress, with a lace duster over. Her arms are out and she is in motion, creating a flowing effect. Overlaid text in the top left corner reads "British Vogue."
Image Description: Aaron Rose Philip, a Black woman seated in a power wheelchair, on the cover of V Magaine. She is wearing a black and vibrant gradient matching Calvin Klein bralette and panty set, with a denim crop top jacket styled over it. Her hair is styled in a half up-half down straight look.
Mentors and Community
Peer Mentorship
Each student in the program is paired with a Disabled senior student mentor who supports their journey at Parsons. Mentors offer a space to talk through experiences, challenges, and questions, and to brainstorm solutions together. All mentors have lived experience with disability and bring training and experience in accessibility. Students meet regularly with their mentors throughout the year.
Fashion Mentorship
Students meet as a group with Disabled and non-Disabled fashion designers, creatives, and industry professionals to explore topics such as career preparedness, Disability arts and design, and navigating fashion school and industry culture. These sessions build networks, confidence, and pathways into the field.
We invite applications by March 16, 2026 for the Fall 2026 semester
Apply now for the Disabled Fashion Student Program.