Charles Abrams Scholarship

Awarded By:

American Planning Association

Number of Awards & Eligibility: One award offered annually.

Description: This award is for U.S. graduate students who are enrolled in an urban planning program at one of the following schools: Columbia University, Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New School University, or the University of Pennsylvania. Students must demonstrate financial need.

Application requirements for the Charles Abrams Scholarship are:

• Nomination
• Personal statement
• Official Transcript
• GRE scores
• Acceptance letter
• Aid application

Additional Information: Charles Abrams was an internationally recognized authority on housing and urban affairs who died in 1970. Throughout his career, he exhibited an active desire to help students in planning programs. In his honor, the American Planning Association administers a scholarship fund established by his widow and a number of his colleagues. Applicants must be in need of financial assistance as determined by a review of the information contained on their financial aid form. The financial information provided by the student, spouse, or parent(s) will be analyzed by both the school in its selection of a candidate and later by the Charles Abrams Scholarship Selection Committee. If a student wishes to be declared financially independent, a notarized statement from the parents is required, certifying that the student will not be taken as a tax deduction in the year for which the scholarship is sought and that the student will receive no financial aid from parents. The Charles Abrams Scholarship Selection Committee will submit its recommendation for the award recipient to the APA for approval based on the following criteria: relative financial need among the nominees; demonstration of an interest in and commitment to pursuing an academic curriculum leading to a career in the planning profession; and the student's statement of academic background, extracurricular activities and reasons for believing an award would be justified. Prior winners of any APA-administered fellowship or scholarship program are not eligible.

Award Amount: $2,000 annually, non-renewable. The scholarship winner also receives a complimentary one-year student membership in APA.  The total dollars awarded for this scholarship is $2,000.