ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Landscape Architecture Foundation
Overview
This scholarship is administered by the ASLA Council of Fellows to support undergraduate landscape architecture students with financial need and to broaden diversity within the profession. Awards are competitive and include support to attend the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture. Applicants must submit materials through the Foundation’s online application system and adhere to stated guidelines and deadlines. Additional materials submitted outside the online system will not be considered.
Description: A competitive scholarship program intended to aid students who face financial barriers and to increase participation of economically disadvantaged and under-represented populations in landscape architecture.
- Administered by the ASLA Council of Fellows.
- Supports undergraduate students in accredited landscape architecture programs.
- Recipients receive conference registration and a travel stipend.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents enrolled in an undergraduate landscape architecture program accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board (LAAB). Students must be in their second through fifth year of an undergraduate LAAB-accredited program; graduate students are not eligible. Priority is given to applicants from underrepresented populations and those with demonstrated financial need, and geographic distribution of applicants is considered.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents enrolled in year 2–5 of an undergraduate LAAB-accredited landscape architecture program; graduate and non-baccalaureate MLA students are not eligible.
- Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Must be enrolled in year 2–5 of a LAAB-accredited undergraduate program.
- Priority for underrepresented populations and applicants with financial need.
Award Details
Each year the program awards one primary scholarship and multiple runner-up scholarships to promising students. In addition to the monetary award, recipients receive complimentary registration for the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture and a travel stipend to attend. Scholarship recipients are expected to attend the conference to receive their awards in person. Exact award counts and amounts are specified by the Foundation and may vary; the program has historically awarded one larger scholarship and multiple smaller runner-up awards.
Award Value: One $10,000 scholarship and up to three $5,000 runner-up scholarships are awarded annually; recipients also receive conference registration and a travel stipend.
- One $10,000 primary scholarship awarded annually.
- Up to three $5,000 runner-up scholarships awarded annually.
- Conference registration and travel stipend included for recipients.
Application Process
Applications are submitted via the Foundation’s online application system and must follow the General Application Guidelines. All materials and supporting documents must be uploaded through the online portal by the stated deadline; late or additional materials will not be reviewed. Applicants should provide accurate email addresses for recommenders so invitation emails can be sent automatically. Winners are notified according to the Foundation’s timeline and are expected to attend the ASLA Conference to accept the award.
Application Timeline: The annual application deadline is February 1; applicants should consult the online guidelines for any additional timeline details and submission instructions.
- Apply using the Foundation’s online application system.
- All materials must be submitted by the February 1 deadline.
- Recipients are expected to attend the ASLA Conference to accept awards.
Application Materials
The application requires a set of specified documents uploaded in the indicated formats and sizes. Required items include a general submission form, a color headshot, a short bio, a resume, a financial aid form, two letters of recommendation, and an essay that addresses the applicant’s prospective contribution to the profession. Specific formatting rules—such as photo resolution, essay length, and resume page limits—must be followed or the submission may be disqualified. Applicants from underrepresented populations should indicate their association on the final question of the general submission form.
Application Contents: Submit the General Submission Form, Photo, Bio (150-word max), Resume (2 pages max), Financial Aid Form, two Letters of Recommendation, and an Essay (500 words, 2-page max with formatting requirements).
- Photo: color headshot, jpg, at least 1800x1200 pixels; LAF may use submitted photos in promotions.
- Essay: 500 words or less, PDF, up to two pages, 1" margins, ≥10 pt font, no images.
- Two recommendations: one from a faculty member; the other from faculty or a non-academic ASLA member.
History of the Award
The scholarship fund was established in 2004 by the ASLA Council of Fellows to support students who otherwise could not continue a professional degree due to unmet financial need. The program was created to increase participation from economically disadvantaged and underrepresented groups and to enrich the landscape architecture profession through greater diversity. Over time the Foundation has continued to refine eligibility and award practices to align with these founding goals. Policy updates, such as changes in eligibility for certain non-baccalaureate MLA students, have been implemented as needed.
History of the Award: Established in 2004 to address financial barriers, increase diversity, and strengthen the profession of landscape architecture.
- Founded by the ASLA Council of Fellows in 2004.
- Created to support students with unmet financial need and to increase diversity.
- Eligibility and program policies have been updated over time to reflect program goals.