AIA - AAF Minority/Disadvantaged Scholarship
This scholarship is open to high school seniors and college freshmen who plan to study architecture in an NAAB-accredited program. The scholarship was established in 1970 by a grant from the Ford Foundation to aid students who would not otherwise have an opportunity to enter a professional degree program. Twenty awards per year are made and may be renewed for two additional years, ideally maintaining 60 students in the program in any given year. Scholarship amounts range between $500 and $2,500 and are determined by evaluation of financial need information provided by the student and the school. Download the nomination form (PDF, 74K, 2 pages).
The application process has two parts: an initial nomination by either a high school guidance counselor, AIA component, architect, or other individual who is aware of the student's interest and aptitude for architecture, and an application which is sent to eligible students after nominations are reviewed. The nomination form is due in early December and the application, an essay, statement of disadvantaged circumstances, letters of recommendations, transcripts and a drawing are due in mid-January. For further information contact Mary Felber at mfelber@archfoundation.org.