If you are a creative college student with a passion for art and animal welfare, your next shoe design could help pay for your degree while saving shelter pets across the nation. College tuition continues to rise, but traditional academic scholarships aren't the only way to fund your education. Unique design competitions offer student artists a platform to showcase their talent to major retail brands while earning major funding for school.
One of the most fun opportunities available today is the BOBS by Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship. Below is everything you need to know about eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and how your dog or cat illustration could land on nationwide store shelves.
Award Amount: Two $10,000 awards The Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in the first year of a two-year program at an accredited institution or the first to third year at an accredited four-year institution. Students must be at least 18 years old and in good academic standing.
This latest fun and weird scholarship IS for the dogs...and the cats...literally. You may have seen the BOBS by Skechers shoe designs covered with cute animal graphics; this scholarship opportunity is tied to those fun shoes. College students can design a shoe featuring a canine and/or feline, and the winning designers will earn a $10,000 scholarship from the footwear company.
The winning designs will be featured on BOBS merchandise, and a portion of the sales will benefit Petco Love to support animal welfare organizations. Your dog or cat print could help you pay for college AND save the lives of shelter animals in the United States!.
Since 2015, Skechers has given more than $13 million to help save and care for 2 million shelter dogs and cats through a partnership with Petco Love. For each BOBS item sold, Skechers donates to Petco Love. Petco Love’s network includes 4,000 animal welfare organizations nationwide.
Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship Details
Deadline: 9/15/26Award Amount: Two $10,000 awards The Skechers Paws for a Cause Design Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in the first year of a two-year program at an accredited institution or the first to third year at an accredited four-year institution. Students must be at least 18 years old and in good academic standing.
Scholarship Perks Beyond the Cash Prize
In addition to winning scholarship money to pay for school, both winners will receive:- Their design printed on BOBS from Skechers, produced and sold in 2027.
- A donation from Skechers to an animal welfare organization near each winner's local shelter.
- Three individual virtual mentoring sessions with Skechers corporate leadership and the design team.
- A $200 gift card for Skechers products at Skechers retail stores or skechers.com.
- A free pair of BOBS shoes from Skechers.
How to Apply for the Skechers Design Scholarship
To enter the BOBS from Skechers scholarship, applicants must follow two key steps:- Submit a unique dog or cat design: Your design should be appealing, emotional, and creative. Applicants can submit one design in each category (one cat and one dog).
- Provide a brief written or video description: Share your best shelter-pet memory or explain what the BOBS from Skechers collection means to you.
More Animal & Art Scholarship Opportunities
Numerous scholarship opportunities are available for students. Researching each scholarship independently can take a lot of time, only to learn you don’t qualify. Save time and streamline your scholarship search by creating your free Fastweb profile. Your profile will provide personalized scholarship recommendations matching your background. In the meantime, check out these related pet and animal scholarships:You Might Also Like
Shawna Newman
Managing Editor, Contributing Writer
Shawna Newman covers various topics related to post-secondary education, including trade schools, the military, and college. She details strategies for paying for school, such as scholarships, financial ai...
