We help ensure that our ceiling becomes their floor. With a firm foundation beneath their feet, this next generation is free to explore their vision and passion.
    “I aim to continue my architectural education and my interest in environmental design at a top tier graduate program in the near future, and the Mel Ferris Scholarship would provide me with starting funds to help me pursue my next dream.”
    - Michael Leung, USC - 2009 Scholarship Recipient
                      Click here to view Michael's award winning project.


They have the focus and determination as they learn to grow. We can give them the support they need to keep that focus.
    “Just like others have addictions such as alcohol, drugs or worse I have an addiction that most architects have; books. I love to learn, to do research, to browse and teach from my studies. I like to learn from the great architects out in the world and so I invest in their books. I plan to use this scholarship to invest in my education and these books.”
    – Luis Alonso Torres, Cal Poly Pomona - 2009 Scholarship Recipient
                      Click here to view Luis' award winning project.


The next generation of architects rises with passion and desire to impact the world around them.
    “I will be developing and producing my thesis during my last year toward obtaining a Bachelors of Architecture degree at SCI-Arc, and plan to use the scholarship to pay for model-making materials, books, and printing and presentation costs.”
     - Katherine Cong, SCI-Arc - 2009 Scholarship Recipient
                      Click here to view Katherine's award winning project.


We give them the keys to a better future of creating, building, innovating.
     “I cannot emphasize enough how much of a blessing this is; as it will make it possible for me to begin school and have the summer quarter paid for. Instead of having to juggle cost off tuition, materials, and housing, I can cross of tuition and know that it is covered.”
     – Brenda Hernandez, Cal Poly Pomona - 2009 Scholarship Recipient
        Click here to view Brenda's award winning project.


They see the possibilities and look for ways to achieve. Their ability to rise up to what is important for them personally, and to the future of the profession.
    “Being selected as an award recipient validates my hard work. As students, we rarely have the opportunity to be judged by professionals. Having been judged favorably in this case, I am optimistic about my future and the probability of gaining employment in these harsh economic times.”
                     – Sarah Dapper, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo - 2009 Savings By Design Energy Efficiency Integration Scholarship recipient


Deans Choice Award

  • Mary Telling, Academy of Art University
  • Aaron Taylor Harvey, California College of the Arts
  • Erin Colshan, Cal Poly Pomona
  • Kevin Bussett, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
  • Mario Marquez, NewSchool of Art and Architecture
  • Julian Brummitt, SCI-ARC
  • Ying Song, UCLA
  • Brian Knecht, UC Berkeley
  • Devin Lewis, USC
  • Yong Tan, Woodbury University
2010 Mel Ferris Scholarship Competition

The Mel Ferris Scholarship program provides scholarships to qualified architecture student studying at one of the ten accredited schools of architecture in California. The scholarships are awarded based upon demonstrated financial need, as well as academic and design achievements, and are awarded without regard to race, gender, age, physical abilities or religious beliefs.

Eligibility

Applicants must be in attendance or have confirmed acceptance in one of the following California’s architecture programs:

- Academy of Art University
- California College of the Arts, San Francisco
- California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
- California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo
- New School of Art and Architecture
- Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-ARC)
- University of California, Los Angeles
- University of California, Berkeley
- University of Southern California
- Woodbury University

Applicants may be enrolled in a graduate degree program. However, it must be their first accredited professional architecture degree program. Applicants must be enrolled at one of the California Architectural schools at the time of application. Applicants must provide the Board of Regents with the required data and agree to the conditions of the scholarship.

2010 Schedule

 December 1, 2009  Scholarship Applications Open
 February 16, 2010  Deadline for Receipt of Applications
 February 26, 2010  Scholarship Submissions Evaluated
 March 12, 2010  Scholarship Recipients Notified
 TBD  Scholarship Recipients Honored at an AIACC Conference

Awards

  - First place - $5,000
  - Second place – $4,000
  - Third place - $3,000 (two third place awards will be awarded)
  - Dean's Choice Award
  - New! Energy Efficiency Integration Award - $5,000

Deans Choice Award

The California Architectural Foundation has increased its scholarship awards. The Dean's Choice Award is a $500 prize awarded by the Dean of each of the ten accredited architectural schools in California to a Mel Ferris scholarship applicant from their school.

Savings by Design

Energy Efficiency Integration Award presented by Savings By Design, to the student who best demonstrates conservation and energy efficiency in their portfolio.