SCHOLARSHIPS / FELLOWSHIPS / COMPETITIONS
One of the biggest issue for an architectural education is how to finance it. So, one way to address the issue – SCHOLARSHIPS / FELLOWSHIPS / COMPETITIONS. As you might guess, most scholarships are provided by the institution / college to which you apply or attend, but there are also many others that also provide monies / scholarships – firms, non-profits, professional associations, and others.
Many architecture programs have scholarships ranging from half- to full-scholarship. To be eligible for such scholarships, you must apply to or consider these schools. Also, do not only consider financial aid upon entry to the program; ask what scholarships may be available to you as an upper-class student. Regardless, contact the centralized office of financial aid and the academic unit and ask about details along with deadlines.
Aside from need-based financial aid, there is an abundance of scholarships/grants available from companies, organizations/associations, and universities. To start, search the web. Also, discuss what scholarships are available to incoming students and inquire about possible scholarships available in future semesters.
One source for scholarships is the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The AIA, through their local components, provides scholarships to architecture students in a professional degree program accredited by NAAB. Other scholarships/fellowship programs available include the Richard Morris Hunt Fellowship and the RTKL Traveling Fellowships administered by the AIA, and the Rotch Travelling Scholarship administered by the Boston Society of Architects. Additional companies and groups have an established scholarship program that benefit architecture students.
Again, simply search the web (check the list below) and ask faculty within your program for ideas.
If you are applying to architecture programs from high school, please recognize that most aid available will come from the university; however, this is not always the case. For example, the College of Architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) offers a single five-year full-tuition scholarship named the Crown Scholarship for candidates entering the Bachelor of Architecture. Most architecture programs provide scholarships to upper-level undergraduate students or those participating in study abroad programs. Besides the centralized financial aid office, ask questions of your academic unit.
Additional sources of available scholarships and fellowships is the AIAS website; and, below are additional scholarships to consider:
American Institute of Architecture Students – Scholarships: http://www.aias.org/career/scholarships/
Architects Foundation: https://architectsfoundation.org/what-we-do/architecture-scholarships/
Diversity Advancement Scholarship
From the scholarship website:
$20,000 scholarship
We’re looking for minority students whose imagination and design thinking will influence the future of the built environment and the architecture profession. Eligible students must be a US citizen, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, and be:
- a high school student planning to enroll in a NAAB-accredited architecture degree program;
- a rising second-year college student in a NAAB-accredited architecture degree program; or,
- a technical school or community college student who has completed high school or its equivalent and intends to transfer to a NAAB-accredited architecture program.
NAAB-accredited degree programs may be a five-year Bachelor of Architecture degree, or a four-year pre-professional bachelor degree followed by a Master of Architecture degree. Scholarships may be renewed for up to 5 years (up to a $20,000 total award—multiple scholarships are available).
The Diversity Advancement Scholarship was created in 1970 with an initial grant from the Ford Foundation, after civil rights leader Whitney Young Jr. challenged architects in 1968 to create a more responsible and equitable field.
25 Great Scholarships for Architecture Majors
https://www.topdegreesonline.org/scholarships/architecture-majors/
Gensler Scholarships: https://www.gensler.com/scholarships
GENSLER RISING BLACK DESIGNERS SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: January 15, 2021
The Gensler Diversity Scholarship awards underrepresented and minority students enrolled in U.S. not-for-profit NAAB-accredited architecture programs with academic scholarships and summer internship opportunities.
GENSLER BRINKMANN SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: January 15, 2021
The Gensler Brinkmann Scholarship awards students enrolled in U.S. not-for-profit CIDA-accredited interior design programs with academic scholarships and summer internship opportunities.
COMPETITIONS
Another source of possible funds is design competitions; each academic year the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) and other organizations host design competitions open to architecture students that provide prize money and public recognition.
In addition to scholarships/fellowships targeted at students, there are others available when you graduate and begin your architectural career. Again, search the web but possibilities include the following: SOM Foundation Traveling Fellowship, Steedman Fellowship in Architecture, Moshe Safdie & Associates Research Fellowship, AIA/NAC Jason Pettigrew ARE Scholarship, Frederick P. Rose Architectural Fellowship, and the prestigious Rome Prize.
Bottom line, there are funds / monies out there for you to pursue your architectural education.
Best.