Student-centric advice and objective recommendations
Higher education has never been more confusing or expensive. Our goal is to help you navigate the very big decisions related to higher ed with objective information and expert advice. Each piece of content on the site is original, based on extensive research, and reviewed by multiple editors, including a subject matter expert. This ensures that all of our content is up-to-date, useful, accurate, and thorough.
Our reviews and recommendations are based on extensive research, testing, and feedback. We may receive commission from links on our website, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our marketing partners don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. It’s accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted. You can find a complete list of our partners here.
Top 27 Architecture Scholarships in November 2022
Much like designing a building with a solid foundation, winning scholarships helps students plan and design a strong financial future! Lucky for you, we put together this list of architecture scholarships to help you get started. Our list includes opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students at all levels of study.
Jump ahead to:
- Top scholarships for architecture students
- How to win scholarships for architecture students
- Financial aid tips for architecture students
- Additional resources for architecture students
- Frequently asked questions about architecture scholarships
- Other scholarship categories to explore
Some of the scholarships are for under-represented groups in the field. As we know, architecture applies to more than just designing buildings, so those of you who love landscape design are in luck as well!
The Scholarships360 Research Team reviews all scholarships individually and strives to exclude any scholarship where any of the below applies: If you believe a scholarship has been published in error, please reach out to [email protected] and we’ll take a look!
* There are certain exceptions to this, for example if the sponsoring organization is a major corporation or nonprofit with its own scholarship application system.
Scholarships360 Exclusive Easy scholarship open to all US-based high school, college, community college and graduate students.
Sponsored Easy scholarship open to all high school, college, community and graduate students. Sponsored Open to high school and college students, as well as anyone looking to attend college or graduate school in the next year. Offered by Blakemore Foundation Individuals pursuing a professional, business, or academic career that will require the regular use of an East or Southeast Asian language. Offered by Peter Belin Open to individuals planning to make their chosen fine art their life's work. Being from Pennsylvania is preferred, but not required. Scholarships360 Exclusive Open to all postsecondary students, regardless of the type of training/education they are pursuing. Scholarships360 Exclusive Open to current undergraduates at four-year universities in the U.S. Offered by Houzz Open to college students at interior design, architecture, landscape architecture, architectural schools, or skilled trade schools. Offered by Accessibility Professionals Association Postsecondary students in the U.S. pursuing a degree in architecture, civil engineering, construction management, or a related field. Offered by Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs Open to high school seniors in Iowa who intend to pursue a major in the arts at an Iowa university. Sponsored Annual $10k scholarship from CollegeXpress open to all high school students. Offered by TenShon Currently enrolled college students interested in using architecture, design, and/or engineering to create a unique shade sail structure. Offered by Historic Huguenot Street Open to undergraduates studying the history of, architecture of, or conservation of artifacts of Historic Huguenot Street. Offered by Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association Open to students in secondary, advanced or trade school who have an interest in the fields related to the sports flooring business. Offered by Asian-American Architects and Engineers Foundation Open to high school, college, and graduate students who are currently, or interested in, pursuing a degree in architecture or engineering. Offered by UNCF Open to rising sophomore, junior, and senior African American students majoring in STEM and/or business. Offered by Architects Foundation Open to undergraduate seniors and graduate students wanting to travel abroad to study architecture. Offered by The Walter J. Travis Society Open to current and incoming postsecondary students interested in pursuing golf-related careers. Sponsored Easy scholarship open to high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students. Sponsored Easy scholarship from Niche open to all high school, college, and graduate students.Top 25 Architecture Scholarships in November 2022
** Lead generation scholarships will require students to sign up for an app or website and require minimal (if any) application requirements.
***Idea harvesting scholarships will require students to submit blog posts or other materials that companies may use for marketing purposes.
$10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship
$2,000 Nitro College Scholarship – No Essay
Niche $50,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
Blakemore Freeman Fellowship
F. Lammot Belin Arts Scholarship
“Follow Your Own Path” Essay Scholarship
“Outstanding Undergraduate” Essay Scholarship
Houzz Scholarship Program
Jim Boyce Memorial Scholarship
Iowa Scholarships for the Arts
$10,000 CollegeXpress Scholarship
Shade Sail Design Challenge Scholarship
Charles J. Hasbrouck Memorial Scholarships
MFMA Scholarship Program
Asian-American Architects and Engineers Foundation Scholarship
Papa John’s Scholarship
Architects Foundation / McAslan Fellowship
Walter J. Travis Memorial Scholarships and The Rudy Zocchi Memorial Scholarship
$25k “Be Bold” No-Essay Scholarship
Niche $2,000 “No Essay” College Scholarship
How to win scholarships for architecture students
If you’re applying for architecture scholarships, you may be required to submit an essay as part of your application. This is your chance to demonstrate who you are and why you want to study architecture. One of the best ways to do this is by telling a story. Construct a narrative arc by writing about how your past helped shape who you are today, and how your current goals connect to the future. Throughout your essay, architecture should be the common thread that links the past, present, and future.
If you need more specific tips on writing your essay, you’re in luck! We have a multitude of resources aimed at guiding you through the writing process. Check out the following guides to get started:
- How to start a scholarship essay (with examples)
- How to end a scholarship essay
- How to write a 250 word essay
- How to write a 500 word essay
- How to write an essay about yourself
- Overview of common scholarship essay prompts
- How to write a winning scholarship essay
Financial aid tips for architecture students
Whether you are pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture, you’ll also want to apply for need-based financial aid. This need-based financial aid can include everything from grants (like Pell Grants) to federal student loans and work study. To apply for need-based financial aid, submit the FAFSA and for some schools, the CSS Profile.
Make sure that you apply for financial aid by the appropriate CSS Profile and FAFSA deadlines. If you apply for financial aid and are accepted to the college, you will receive a financial aid award letter which outlines the various types of aid available to you.
College-Specific Scholarships
Your college or university may also have specific scholarships available for students studying in the architecture school. We always remind students to research scholarships at the colleges and universities they plan to apply to. Oftentimes, they offer unique scholarship opportunities just for those planning/enrolling!
Local Scholarships
Your local community is one of the best places to search for scholarships. These scholarships are less competitive than awards offered on a national level, meaning they’re easier to win! Check out our guide on how to win local scholarships to learn more.
Additional resources for architecture students
Whether you’re considering becoming an architecture major, or have already committed, it’s a good idea to check out some professional organizations in the field. For example, the American Institute of Architects is a renowned resource for architects across the country. Joining an organization like the AIA helps you keep up with the current state of the field, find scholarship opportunities, and connect with other professionals around the country.
You might find new fields of interest and make connections with architects who specialize in it. This could help shape your studies and land you a job after college. In addition to the more general AIA, there are regional architecture organizations and organizations which specialize in one subfield or cater to certain demographics. Here are a few other architecture-related organizations to consider:
- National Organization of Minority Architects
- Association of Licensed Architects
- AIA New York Branch
- Association for Women in Architecture
Frequently asked questions
Is architecture a stable job?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that architecture jobs are expected to grow by 3 percent between 2020 and 2030. While that is slower than average, the field is still growing! To increase your chances of getting hired after graduation, it’s best to get an internship or two under your belt. Our guide on how to get an internship offers some helpful pointers. As far as salary, you can expect to be well compensated if you choose to pursue a career as an architect. The median pay for professionals in this field is $80,180 per year, which is double the median salary across all occupations!
What college has the best architecture program?
Rice University, Cornell University, Virginia Tech, and the Rhode Island School of Design are ranked among the top architecture schools in the U.S. That said, there are a lot of excellent architecture programs outside of this handful of schools. It’s best to do your own research to determine which school is right for you. Our guide on how to choose a college can help point you in the right direction.
Is architecture a hard major?
That depends on what kind of student you are! Students who excel in this field typically have a keen eye for design, strong math and science skills, and an interest in serving the public. You can expect a wide range of coursework including computer science, trigonometry, calculus, geometry, algebra, physics, engineering, and art. To learn more about what it’s like to study this field, check out our architecture major overview.
