Who does your donation support?

As of Fall 2023, LIM College students come from 48 U.S. states and 33 different countries. Approximately 50% identify as people of color; 88% identify as female; more than half of our students are the first to graduate college while more than 80% qualify for financial aid. Scholarship recipients reflect the demographics of the LIM College student body.

The Class of 2023 had a 97% Career Outcomes rate, meaning that 97% were working in the business of fashion and lifestyle or continuing their education within six months of graduating. LIM graduates go on to successful careers in areas such as consumer analytics, media, merchandising, supply chain management, marketing, and more.

“[A scholarship] enables me to dedicate myself fully to my academic journey and reach my potential... it has not only transformed by perspective as a student but has also laid the foundation for my professional journey, emphasizing the importance of aiming high and continually pushing my limits.”

Lara K.

 
woman with glasses in business attire
“Receiving FEF Scholarships has helped my mother and I financially and has allowed me to focus more of my attention on my studies and my career.”

Lance B.

Marketing, Brick, NJ

Lance B

How does your donation make a difference?

LIM FEF’s funds are raised through support from individuals, alumni, businesses and special events. Our Foundation is small, with only one paid staff member whose compensation is covered through our endowment. Therefore, more than 95% of funds raised are awarded to students.

Scholarship Award Initiative

LIM FEF awards approximately 25 scholarships each year, ranging from $1,500-$2,500 each. In 2025, we will award 15 additional scholarships of $5,000 each. Students qualify for these scholarships based on financial need and/or grade point average and can receive more than one scholarship award.

Scholarships help a student with one or more of the following:

  • Living expenses: Basic living expenses such as housing, food and transportation, cost the average student nearly $7,400 per year.
  • Supplementing internship income while they earn their degree: All students in four-year programs are required to complete at least three internships. While there has been a decline in unpaid internships over the past 15 years, many internships are still unpaid.
  • Supplementing travel expenses for studying abroad: LIM College offers semester-long exchange programs in several different countries, including Australia, England, France, The Netherlands, Scotland, Spain, Taiwan, and Vietnam. In addition to what they learn in the classroom, students experience new cultures and ways of conducting business first-hand, which leads to the development of a more informed perspective of the world.

Annual indirect cost of living for a student are estimated at about $7,400 and include:

  • Basic cost of living: $7,400
  • Food: $2,700 
  • Transportation: $2,000 
  • Housing: $1,500 
  • Books and supplies: $1,200

It is our goal to provide scholarships that offset the cost of at least one of these areas so students can focus on their studies without worrying about their financial situation.

About Educational Enhancements

Experiential learning is integral to LIM students' college experience. Undergraduate students in 4-year programs are required to complete 3 internship experiences for academic credit. Graduate students may complete between 1-3 internships. This learning-by-doing experience is vital for career development.

In addition, we seek to fund educational enhancements that directly benefit LIM College students. These may include, but are not limited to;

  • Building on study abroad and exchange programs to offer students more opportunities to travel and learn abroad. Since today’s fashion industry is truly global, it is critical for students who wish to pursue careers in the industry to become more globally aware.

Elizabeth S. Marcuse Scholarship Campaign

Liz Marcuse, LIM College’s President Emeritus, represented the third generation of the Marcuse family’s distinguished 85-year legacy of educating and preparing students for successful careers.

During Liz’s 22 years with the College, LIM embraced an era of increased globalization, accelerated technological advancement, and rapidly emerging new industries.

We now honor her legacy with additional scholarships to further support LIM College students who are embarking on their own career journeys. 

This effort to raise $125,000 in her honor will provide 15 additional $5,000 scholarships to deserving students while adding an additional $50,000 to our endowment to ensure larger scholarship awards for years to come.

For more information on this initiative contact Carolyn Sharaway, Director of Development at carolyn.sharaway@limfef.org.

woman in black and white suit in front of skyline

Liz Marcuse, LIM College President Emeritus

"[LIM College] has always been and continues to be preparing students for careers in the fashion industry... Our students are passionate, driven, and focused. It is because of this exceptional preparedness that they are able to succeed in the industry."

Industry Relationships

LIM FEF enjoys many successful relationships within the fashion industry.

  • AEO has supported our efforts with various sponsorships and grants. We honored Jen Foyle, AE + Aerie, President, Executive Creative Director at our 1st annual Fashion Forward Awards event in 2023.
  • American Eagle & Aerie hosted a Give2Get event at a SoHo store, donating a percentage of proceeds to the LIM FEF.
  • Kendra Scott hosted a GivetoGet event at their SoHo store. They also participated as a vendor at the 2024 LIM College Fashion Show, selling merchandise and donating a percentage of sales to the LIM FEF.
  • Ferragamo hosted a GivetoGet event in 2023, donating a percentage of sales to the LIM FEF.
  • Todd Snyder was honored at our 2nd annual Fashion Forward Award event in 2024.
  • Barney’s hosted a GivetoGet event in 2022, in which a percentage of proceeds were donated to the LIM FEF.
  • In-kind donors for our silent auctions have included Bombas (David Heath), Todd Snyder, Ranger Station and GoodMRKT.
  • Various donors have established endowments for scholarships.