Center for Architecture Design Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Center for Architecture

Here’s a clearer, teacher‑friendly version of the announcement that keeps every requirement and detail intact but arranges it for easier reading and use.

Summary
- Sponsor: Center for Architecture and the American Institute of Architects (AIA)
- Who it’s for: Students pursuing their first professional degree in architecture or a related design/engineering discipline at an accredited program in New York State
- Award: One or more scholarships up to $5,000
- Deadline (note in application details): March 18 (same deadline applies to emailed recommendation letters)

Purpose
This is a merit‑based scholarship to help deserving students obtain their first professional degree in architecture, design, engineering, planning, or a closely related field at an accredited New York State program. Selection considers academic achievement and demonstrated financial need.

Who may be nominated
- The dean or chair of each accredited architectural or design program within New York State may invite up to two students from their college or university to apply.
- Financial need is determined by the nominating school’s Financial Aid Officer according to that school’s guidelines.
- Students in their final year of study are NOT eligible.
- Students cannot be nominated for both the Center for Architecture Design scholarship and the Allwork scholarship.
- Students must be currently enrolled in the accredited program that is nominating them.

Eligible programs
- Engineering: Architectural, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Structural
- Design/Architecture: Architectural, Environmental, Furniture, Industrial, Interior, Landscape, Sustainable, Urban
- Graduate note: M.Arch students at an NAAB‑accredited New York State school are eligible only if their undergraduate degree was in a field other than architecture. M.Arch students who hold a four‑year degree in architectural studies or in non‑accredited pre‑architecture programs may apply.

Application components (all electronic)
A complete submission includes:
1. Online application (complete the online form)
2. Cover Page Form — place this at the very beginning of your submission
3. Portfolio — three student projects as examples of your work
- Avoid slides
- Collaborative projects are acceptable only if your role is clearly described; ambiguous group work is discouraged
4. Two letters of recommendation (signed and on letterhead)
- One letter must be from the nominating dean or chair; this letter serves as the official nomination
- One letter must be from a faculty member familiar with your work
- Optional: you may submit up to two additional academic or professional references (from an educator and/or design professional) attesting to your achievement and potential

Recommendation letter delivery option
- Recommenders should upload letters through the online application whenever possible.
- If a recommender prefers to email their letter, they may send it to scholarships@centerforarchitecture.org. If you plan to use this option, upload a short document in your application that states the recommender’s name, contact information, and that the letter will be submitted by email. All emailed letters must meet the same March 18 deadline.

Formatting and file naming
- Portfolio: save as “CFA Design Portfolio [Applicant Last Name]”
- Recommendation letters: recommender files should be named “CFA Design Recommendation [Applicant Last Name]”
- All letters must be signed and on letterhead.

Other important notes
- There is no application fee.
- All materials must be submitted electronically via the application form unless a recommender uses the email option described above.
- Students may not be nominated for both this scholarship and the Allwork scholarship.
- Final‑year students are ineligible.

Quick checklist (before you submit)
- [ ] Confirm your dean/chair has nominated you (and that your school will submit that nomination letter)
- [ ] Complete the online application and add the Cover Page Form first
- [ ] Prepare portfolio with three projects; clearly indicate your role on any collaborative work
- [ ] Obtain two signed letters on letterhead (dean/chair + faculty member)
- [ ] Optional: prepare up to two additional references
- [ ] Name files exactly as requested
- [ ] Confirm all electronic materials will be submitted by March 18

If you want, I can help you draft the faculty or dean nomination reminders, review a portfolio checklist, or suggest how to describe your role in a collaborative project.