The Michigan Architectural Foundation Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to college students admitted to, or currently pursuing a graduate professional degree in architecture at accredited Michigan universities, and who have demonstrated leadership in design, professional, community, or political activities.
The Robinson Scholarship is designated for an undergraduate student in architecture completing the first year of architectural studies at the University of Michigan.
The AIA Grand Rapids Scholarships are designated for undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in architecture, and are preferred to be a resident of the AIAGR Chapter region attending any college or university. Applicants may also be a non-resident attending a college or university in the AIAGR Chapter region.
Currently, MAF awards scholarships ranging in value from $2,000 to $10,000.
Please note that the application forms, submittal requirements are different for the Robinson scholarship, the AIA Grand Rapids undergraduate scholarship, and the MAF graduate scholarships (application forms are available for download, right).
The deadline for all scholarship applications and materials is March 15 of the award year.
Submit MAF applications and supporting materials to Jeff Hausman, FAIA:
Criteria For Selection
Eligibility
All candidates must be:
Application Process
Entry Requirements
Applications must be digital-only and submitted via email in PDF format. (see the page’s introduction for email address). File sizes should be no greater than 20MB. The files must be PC compatible with font size no smaller than 10 point. Photos and graphic material must be in .jpg or .pdf format.
The following data are required from each candidate:
Required Data for MAF Graduate Scholarships
Required Data for the Robinson Scholarship
Required Data for the AIA Grand Rapids Undergraduate Scholarship
Selection Process
01Bob Powell Scholarship (one time scholarship)
As a tribute to architect Bob Powell, AIA who passed away at the beginning of 2024, MAF is awarding a one-time scholarship to a graduate student in architecture at a Michigan university. This one-time scholarship was funded by donations in Bob Powell’s name to MAF. The two primary donors were Alan Cobb and Carl Roehling, with additional donations from others for a total of a $5,000 scholarship.
$5,000
Zariah Hernadez
The Bob Powell Scholarship, a one-time honor of $5,000 is awarded to Zariah Hernadez a graduate student at the University of Michigan. Her active involvement with the community as the Taubman College liaison to AIA Huron Valley; her evident financial need and something that Bob would have been proud of, her quicky and innovative approach to her portfolio made her an excellent choice for the award.
02AIA Grand Rapids Undergraduate Scholarship
The AIA Grand Rapids Scholarships are designated for undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in architecture with preference given to residents of the AIAGR Chapter region attending any college or university. Scholarship applicants may also be non-residents attending a college or university in the AIAGR Chapter region.
$2,000
Ashlynn Tower
The AIA Grand Rapids undergraduate scholarship in the amount of $2,000 is awarded to Ashlynn Tower an undergraduate at the University of Michigan. Her community involvement especially in Jensen which is in the AIA Grand Rapids area, a top academic record along with excellent references were key reasons she was selected for this scholarship.
03AIA Grand Rapids Graduate Scholarship
The AIA Grand Rapids Scholarships are designated for undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a career in architecture with preference given to residents of the AIAGR Chapter region attending any college or university. Scholarship applicants may also be non-residents attending a college or university in the AIAGR Chapter region.
$2,000
Natalie Denbesten
The AIA Grand Rapids graduate scholarship in the amount of $2,000 is awarded to Natalie Denbesten 2024, a graduate student at Kendall College of Art and Design. Her community involvement and evident financial need along with being connected to AIA Grand Rapids made her the top choice for this award.
04Paul Stachowiak & Integrated Design Solutions Scholarship
Awarded to a University of Michigan, University of Detroit Mercy or Lawrence Technological University student admitted or currently pursuing a graduate professional degree in architecture and who aspires to a career reflecting a holistic and integrated practice of the highest standards of the profession of architecture.
$2,000
Jacob Brookhouse
The Paul Stachowiak & Integrated Design Solutions Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 is awarded to Jacob Brookhouse, a graduate of Ferris State University and a rising graduate student at the University of Michigan. His commitment to integrated practice and community involvement and impressive references made this award an excellent choice.,
05AIA Michigan President’s Scholarship
Founded by AIA Michigan’s past presidents, the scholarship is for graduate students in architecture that have demonstrated leadership in professional, community or public service activities.
$8,000
Asia Williams
The AIA Michigan President’s Scholarship of $8,000 is awarded to Asia Williams, a graduate student at the University Detroit Mercy. Asia has worked hard to overcome many challenges on her way to pursuing her masters in architecture and continuing with a masters in community development. She has been very active in the community. Her excellent references and financial need made her an outstanding choice for this important award.
06Richard M. and Sidney K. Robinson Scholarship
Awarded to a University of Michigan undergraduate architecture student who aspires to a career that combines the roles of citizen and artist.
$4,000
Malak Atwi
The Richard M. and Sidney K. Robinson Scholarship in the amount of $4,000 was awarded to Malak Atwi, who is completing the first year at the University of Michigan. Her strong essay demonstrating a desire and understanding of architecture based on both citizenship and artistic pursuits was expressed clearly in her writing and other materials submitted for the award.
07Katherine and John Banicki Scholarship
Awarded in recognition of a student’s academic and community achievements.
$3,000
Lauren Moon
The Katherine and John Banicki Scholarship in the amount of $3,000 is awarded to Lauren Moon, who is completing her undergraduate degrees in architecture and civil engineering at Lawrence Technological University. Lauren will be beginning her graduate work in architecture this fall at LTU. She combines the technical and design aspects of both engineering and architecture that is something that impressed the jury and made this the appropriate award for her.
08Leslie D. Tincknell Scholarship
Awarded to a student that exhibits leadership in university and community life, and financial need.
$10,000
Jacob Lampi
The Leslie Tincknell Scholarship in the amount of $10,000 is awarded to Jacob Lampi, a graduate student at the University of Detroit Mercy. He was awarded this scholarship for an outstanding academic record, his wide-ranging design impact, leadership skills with AIAS as Vice President as well as a promising portfolio, and evident personal need.
09Kenneth Neumann Design Scholarship
The Kenneth Neumann Design Scholarship is awarded to a graduate architecture student based on the design and writing excellence of the submitted application portfolio. The scholarship includes a summer internship with the firm of Neumann/Smith Associates in Southfield, Michigan.
$2,000
Sofia D’Arienzo
The Kenneth Neumann Design Scholarship of $2,000 is awarded to Sofia D’Arienzo, a graduate student at University of Detroit Mercy. Her excellent portfolio and the time management skills she learned as a D1 Athlete were key reason she was awarded this scholarship.
10Daniel W. Toshach Scholarship
Awarded to a deserving student with a well-rounded application and portfolio. Preference will be given to applicants from the area served by the AIA Saginaw Valley Chapter.
$2,000
Cory Hoffman
The Daniel W. Toshach & AIA Saginaw Valley Chapter Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 is awarded to Cory Hoffman, a graduate of Ferris State University and a rising graduate student at the University of Michigan. This all-around excellent student included leadership activity with AIAS as well as an impressive academic record.
11Alvin Ernest Harley Scholarship
Awarded in recognition to a deserving student who demonstrates active participation and leadership involvement in the local AIAS Chapter.
$2,000
Aaron Comstock
The HED Alvin Ernest Harley AIAS Graduate Scholarship of $2,000 is awarded to Aaron Comstock, a graduate student at the University of Michigan. His very active participation in the AIAS chapter as Co-President and strong commitment to community service stood out for this student as well as his financial need.
12PCIA Scholarship
The Professional Concepts Insurance Agency (PCIA) Scholarship is to recognize and provide financial assistance to individuals with exemplary community involvement.
$2,000
Riley Montgomery
The Professional Concepts Insurance Agency Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 is awarded to Riley Montgomery, a graduate student at the University of Michigan. Her all-around excellence in academics, writing and community leadership as well as a passion for the profession made this choice for this award appropriate.