Aspiring architects know that pursuing a degree in this field requires dedication, hard work, and financial support. With the rising costs of tuition and living expenses, many students may feel discouraged about pursuing their passion for architecture. However, there is hope for those seeking financial assistance through scholarships specifically tailored for architecture students. In this article, we have compiled a list of 12 scholarships that can help alleviate the financial burden for architecture students. Whether you are a current or prospective student, these opportunities can help you achieve your dream of becoming an architect without breaking the bank.
CAF Scholarship – $1,200-$5,000
Offered by the Connecticut Architecture Foundation, the CAF Scholarship is annually awarded to students pursuing careers in architecture. Applicants must have “completed two years in accredited undergraduate architecture programs or have been accepted into an accredited graduate program.” Connecticut residents are encouraged to apply for the scholarship.
Charles DuBose Scholarship – $1,200-$5,000
Offered by the Connecticut Architecture Foundation, the Charles DuBose Scholarship is annually awarded to students pursuing careers in architecture. Applicants must have “completed two years in accredited undergraduate architecture programs or have been accepted into an accredited graduate program.” Preference is given to students at the University of Pennsylvania, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Fontainebleau summer program.
Robert W. Thunen Memorial Scholarship – $1,000-$5,000
Offered by the San Francisco chapter of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), the Robert W. Thunen Memorial Scholarship is annually awarded to students pursuing careers in illumination. Applicants must be full-time rising juniors, seniors, or graduate students at an accredited college or university in Northern California, Nevada, Oregon, or Washington. All applicants must be studying illumination, and graduate applicants must be “undertaking a lighting-centered project as part of work towards a graduate degree.”
NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship Powered by Vans – $5,000
The NAACP Creative Sole Scholarship Powered by Vans is one of many awards available to Black students and students of color through NAACP’s Inspire Initiatives. Each year, $5,000 is awarded to four outstanding students pursuing undergraduate degrees. Applicants must be a member of the NAACP; be Black or a person of color; be currently enrolled full-time or accepted to an accredited college or university in the United States; be a graduating high school senior or undergraduate student; possess a grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 system; demonstrate interest in pursuing a career in the creative fields (e.g., art, music, journalism, marketing, design, communications, architecture, or film); and be a U.S. resident or citizen. This scholarship is renewable upon maintenance of 2.7 GPA.
NEWH Green Voice Design Competition – $7,500
The NEWH Green Voice Design Competition is an annual contest that provides students with a chance to create projects that show off their sustainable design skills. Applicants must be interior design or architecture students. Undergraduate applicants must be enrolled in a four-year program, and graduate applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college. Students may work individually or in teams of two. In addition to scholarship money, winners receive a paid trip to an awards event in New York.
NEWH Los Angeles Founding Chapter Scholarship – Up to $25,000
The NEWH Los Angeles Founding Chapter Scholarship is annually awarded to LA-based students pursuing a major and career objective within the hospitality industry. Applicants must be actively enrolled in a two-year, four-year, or graduate program in Los Angeles, Southern California, and zip codes 900-935. Additionally, applicants must meet a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent) and demonstrate financial need.
Robert L. Wesley Award – $10,000
The SOM Foundation created the Robert L. Wesley Award in 2020 to honor its first Black partner. Each year, the foundation awards $10,000 to three BIPOC undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, urban design, or engineering undergraduate program in the United States, in addition to a year-long mentorship program that connects the students with leading BIPOC practitioners and educators. Applicants must be enrolled in a four- or five-year undergraduate program but can be enrolled in any year of their undergraduate program. Applications open in September each year.
AISES A.T. Anderson Scholarship – $1,000 (Undergraduate), $2,000 (Graduate)
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) offers various scholarships to students who are studying in a STEM field and identify as American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islanders, and Indigenous peoples of Canada. The AISES A.T. Anderson Scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students who fit this profile.
CBC Spouses Visual Arts Scholarship – $5,000
Administered by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF), the CBC Spouses Education Scholarship offers a one-time award of $5,000 each to 10 winners. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; be African American or Black; be preparing to pursue or currently pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree full-time at an accredited college or university (includes current high school seniors); be pursuing a career in the visual arts with an eligible major; have a minimum 2.5 GPA on 4.0 scale; and exhibit leadership and be active in community. Visual arts include architecture, ceramics, drawing, fashion, graphic design, illustration, interior design, painting, photography, sketching, and video production.
Kress Foundation History of Art Institutional Fellowships – $30,000
Each year, Kress Institutional Fellowships in the History of European Art are awarded to pre-doctoral candidates studying European art history. Those awarded the fellowship are provided with a two-year research appointment hosted by a European art history research center. Applicants must be pre-doctoral candidates studying the history of art or a related discipline and be U.S. citizens or individuals matriculated at an American university. Additionally, “dissertation research must focus on European art from antiquity to the early 19th century and applicants must be ABD by the time their fellowship begins.”
D. Colman Witte Scholarship – $500-$6,000
Offered by the Philadelphia Foundation, the D. Colman Witte Scholarship is annually awarded to high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing education in art, architecture, or interior design. Applicants must attend (or plan to attend) a college or university in the Philadelphia region, study (or plan to study) art, architecture, or interior design, and meet a minimum GPA requirement of 2.75.
Vectorworks Design Scholarship – $3,000 (Round 1), $7,000 (Round 2)
Vectorworks, a company that produces 3D design software, offers a scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students in disciplines related to architecture, landscape architecture, entertainment, and interior design. Applicants are invited to submit a finished design that they have created. Designs may have been created for a class project or outside of class. Winning applicants will receive a monetary scholarship as well as a license for Vectorworks design software and training in the software. Applicants may not reside in Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria.
In conclusion, the journey to finding the perfect scholarship doesn’t have to be daunting. Whether you’re just beginning your search or looking to expand your options, our comprehensive scholarship directory offers a wide range of opportunities catering to diverse academic interests and backgrounds. For a more personalized approach, consider leveraging the power of TUN AI, our innovative tool designed to match you with scholarships uniquely suited to your profile. Start exploring today and take a step closer to securing the financial support you need for your educational journey.