About this scholarship
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.
The Charles Abrams Scholarship will be awarded to a student who is enrolled in a graduate planning program leading to a master’s degree in one of the five schools at which Charles Abrams taught and who has been nominated by the program’s department chair. The student chosen for this award must demonstrate a genuine financial need. The program is designed to aid students who will pursue careers as practicing planners.
For the 2024 cycle, The Foundation we will be awarding one scholarshp of $5,000.
Eligibility for the Charles Abrams Scholarship:
A student will be selected from among nominees of the following five schools:
- Columbia University, Division of Urban Planning
- Harvard University, Urban Planning Program (Master in Urban Planning) Harvard Graduate School of Design (Formerly Harvard University, City & Regional Planning Program of the Graduate School of Architecture and Design)
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Urban Studies & Planning
- New School University, Urban Policy Analysis & Management Program, Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management & Urban Policy (Formerly New School for Social Research, New York, Department for Urban Affairs & Policy Analysis)
- University of Pennsylvania, Department of City & Regional Planning
An applicant must be a U.S. citizen and accepted into the graduate planning program at one of the five eligible schools. A nomination by the department chair is required. Incoming students are eligible, providing a letter of acceptance into the graduate planning program of the specific school accompanies their nominating letter.
Applicants must be in need of financial assistance as determined by a review of the information contained on the applicant’s financial aid form. Eligible students wishing to apply for this scholarship must complete the Financial Aid Application in full.
The information provided by the applicant, spouse or parent(s) will be analyzed by both the school in its selection of a candidate and later by the 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.
Applicants must have at least 2 (two) recommendation letters submitted on their behalf by May 31, 2024.
Applicants must be APA student members; membership for students is free.
Note: Prior winners of any APA-administered fellowship or scholarship program are not eligible.
The Award Process:
- The Selection Committee meets in August to review applications.
- Alternates are chosen in the event those selected for a planning fellowship are unable to return to school or if a student recipient fails to submit a written acceptance within the stated period after being notified of award.
- Award recipients will be announched by the end of August.
- Award recipients are required to provide:
- Written acceptance of the award
- Contact name and mailing information for the school's financial aid/business office, to insure proper payment to the student's account at the school
- Donor thank you note and thank you video.
- Upon receipt of these materials the APA Foundation will forward the scholarship amount to the university to be credited toward the student's tuition charges.
- It is the responsibility of the applicant/recipient to notify APA of any change in address for any and all notices and student membership services.