ASLA Council of Fellows Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Landscape Architecture Foundation
Introductory overview
Founded in 2004 by the ASLA Council of Fellows, this scholarship supports talented students who face financial barriers to completing a professional landscape architecture degree. Its goals are to: 1) provide financial assistance to promising students with unmet need; 2) encourage participation in landscape architecture among economically disadvantaged and under‑represented groups; and 3) strengthen the field by fostering greater diversity within the profession.
Award details
Each year one $10,000 scholarship is awarded, and up to three additional runner‑up awards of $5,000 each may be granted. Preference is given to applicants who are from under‑represented populations and/or demonstrate financial need. The geographic distribution of applicants will also be taken into account.
Eligibility
- Must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
- Must be enrolled in year 2, 3, 4, or 5 of an undergraduate landscape architecture program accredited by the Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB).
- Graduate students are not eligible.
- NOTE: Effective 2023, students in non‑baccalaureate MLA programs are no longer eligible for this scholarship.
Conference attendance
Each scholarship recipient receives registration for the ASLA Conference on Landscape Architecture plus a travel stipend to attend. Recipients are expected to be present at the ASLA Conference to accept their awards.
How to apply
Review the General Application Guidelines for instructions on using the online application portal. Applications must follow the stated guidelines and meet deadlines; late or additional materials will not be considered.
Required application materials (all LAF scholarships and fellowships)
1. General Submission Form — complete the online form with your contact details and program information.
2. Photo — a horizontal color headshot (JPEG) of at least 1800 x 1200 pixels. The photo should be well‑lit, have a simple background, and show your full head and shoulders. LAF reserves the right to use submitted photos on its website and in promotional materials.
3. Bio for the LAF website (maximum 150 words) — upload as PDF, Word, or TXT. Summarize your background, current studies, future plans, and personal interests.
4. Resume/CV (maximum 2 pages) — upload as a PDF. Include education, work experience, extracurricular activities, honors/awards. Add “Applicant Name / Resume / Scholarship Name” and a page number on every page.
Additional materials required specifically for this scholarship
1. Financial Aid Form — complete the online form detailing your financial situation and any current assistance.
2. Two letters of recommendation — one must be from a faculty member; the second may be from another faculty member or from a non‑academic member of ASLA. Recommenders should address your qualifications and promise as a landscape architecture student. Provide each recommender’s email address; submission instructions will be sent to them directly.
3. Essay (PDF, maximum 2 pages / 500 words) — describe how you expect to contribute to the landscape architecture profession. Formatting: no more than two pages, margins at least 1", font size 10‑point or larger, and no images or graphics. Include “Applicant Name / Essay / Scholarship Name” and page numbers on each page.
Additional note for applicants from under‑represented groups
If you identify as a member of an under‑represented population, indicate your ethnic or cultural association on the final question of the General Submission Form.
All materials must be submitted through the online system and conform to the file formats, size, and formatting requirements described above.