Center for Architecture Design Scholarship

This scholarship is for students seeking their first professional degree in architecture or related design discipline from an accredited school within New York State. The dean or chair of the architectural school or accredited design program may invite up to two students from their respective college or university to apply based on their high level of academic performance and evidence of financial need. Financial need of the student shall be determined by the guidelines of the Financial Aid Officer of the school nominating the candidate.

Purpose

Merit-based scholarships that support deserving students acquiring their first professional degree in architecture, design, engineering, planning, or a related discipline in a program within New York State.

Eligibility

Students seeking their first professional degree in architecture or related design discipline from an accredited school within New York State. The dean or chair of the architectural school or accredited design program shall invite up to two students from their respective college or university to apply based on their high level of academic performance and evidence of financial need. Financial need of the student shall be determined by the guidelines of the Financial Aid Officer of the school nominating the candidate.

Note: Students cannot be nominated for both the Center for Architecture Design and Allwork awards. Students in their final year of school are not eligible to apply. Students must be nominated by their dean or chair of their accredited program that they are currently studying in order to apply for this award.

Eligible Engineering Programs

Architectural, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Structural

Eligible Design Programs

Architectural, Environmental, Furniture, Industrial, Interior, Landscape, Sustainable, Urban

Note: A graduate student is eligible if his or her undergraduate degree is in a field other than 
architecture.

FAQs

1. Do applications need to be post-marked by the deadline?

All application materials, included letters of recommendation, must be RECEIVED electronically by March 18, 2024 at 5:00 pm ET.

2. Is it possible to extend the deadline based on personal extenuating circumstances?

All applications must be received by the due date in order to be reviewed.

3. Can letters of recommendation be sent separately from the application?

Applicants are strongly advised to submit complete applications including both letters of recommendation. However,  letters of recommendation may be sent separately, directly from the recommender, to scholarships@centerforarchitecture.org. Please have your recommender enter the following in the subject line: [LAST NAME – CFA Design Recommendation]

4. Can I hand-deliver my application?

All application materials MUST be submitted digitally via the online form by March 18, 2024 by 5:00 pm ET.

5. Does the Center for Architecture sponsor individual students pursuing an architectural education in need of financial aid?

The Center for Architecture supports students through our scholarship program. At this time it is not possible for the organization to give financial aid above and beyond this program.

6. I am a high school student seeking scholarships for an undergraduate degree in architecture. Am I eligible for the CFA Design Scholarship?

No, in order to be considered for the CFA Design Scholarship, applicants must be nominated by the Dean or Chair of the program they are currently attending.

7. I am applying to an architecture program at a school in New York State. Am I eligible for the CFA Design scholarship?

No, in order to be considered for the CFA Design Scholarship, an applicant must be nominated by the Dean or Chair of the Architecture program the applicant is currently attending.

8. I am a graduate architecture student, but my undergraduate degree is not in architecture. Am I eligible for the CFA Design scholarship?

Yes, graduate students are eligible as long as the applicant’s undergraduate degree is in a field other than architecture. Applicants must be working toward their first architectural degree.

9. Do applicants need to submit documentation of financial need?

No, financial need is determined by the Financial Aide Dean or Chair who nominates you.

10. Does the Dean or Chair need to mention a student’s financial need in the nomination letter?

The financial aid officer addresses the student’s financial need; the Dean or Chair is not required to.

11. Does the Dean or Chair need to write a letter of recommendation in addition to nominating each of the three students?

The Dean or Chair must write an individual letter of recommendation for each student he or she nominates. This letter of recommendation will act as the formal nomination.

12. Is it possible to review the submissions of past recipients?

No, but you can read more about our recent recipient here.

13. What is the schedule of notification?

Applicants will be notified by early-May.

14. Can applicants submit a digital portfolio that is more than 30 MB?

No, 30 MB is the maximum size for all uploads attached to one submission, including the portfolio and both letters of recommendation.