Next Generation Scholarship
APA Virginia's Next Generation Scholarship
Application Deadline: April 30, 2025
The Scholarship
The Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) is committed to fostering a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable planning profession. The Chapter established the Next Generation Scholarship to support students in Virginia who are pursuing urban planning or related fields and who come from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the profession. By expanding access to financial assistance, this scholarship helps remove barriers and create opportunities for students whose voices, perspectives, and lived experiences are essential to shaping the future of planning.
Why Apply?
- Break barriers and help shape the future in planning and beyond
- Receive financial support to fuel your education and career journey
- Be recognized by professionals across Virginia and open doors to new opportunities
- Expand your network and connect with APA Virginia’s planning community, mentors, and industry leaders
Scholarship Details
Two scholarships of $1,000 each are awarded annually:
- $1,000 for an undergraduate student entering their junior or senior year
- $1,000 for a graduate student
Who Can Apply?
You are eligible to apply if you:
- Are enrolled part-time or full-time at a Virginia college, university, or higher education institution during the semester the award is given
- Are an undergraduate entering your junior or senior year or a graduate student during the semester in which the award is given
- Are pursuing a degree in urban planning, urban studies, or a related field (e.g., landscape architecture, geography, engineering, or other relevant disciplines connected to planning)
- Are a member of the American Planning Association (APA)
Student membership is FREE! Join here: https://www.planning.org/join/students/
- Identify as a member of an underrepresented or marginalized community, including but not limited to: women, people of color, Indigenous descent, individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ community members, low-income students, refugees, immigrants, first-generation students, or other from historically marginalized or underrepresented backgrounds
This list is not exhaustive – if you have faced barriers to accessing the planning profession, we encourage you to apply.
Note: Prior recipients of any fellowship or scholarship administered by the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association are not eligible.
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How to Apply
To be considered, applicants must submit the following:
- Application Form: Includes your name, contact information, school and program, APA membership ID, anticipated graduation date, and the underrepresented community or communities you identify with.
- Proof of Enrollment: Acceptable documents include an unofficial or official transcript, an enrollment verification letter, a tuition statement or billing summary with your name and institution listed, or other documentation that confirms your student status.
- If you have a different type of document that verifies enrollment, please submit it with your application to be considered.
- Two letters of Recommendation: Letters may come from professors or academic advisors, employers, supervisors, or colleagues, mentors or community leaders, or others who can speak to your academic and/or career goals.
- Personal Statement (500 – 800 words): Share your story! Your statement should include how your education aligns with your academic and/or career goals, why you chose urban planning or a related field, and how your background, experiences, and aspirations align with this scholarship.
Note: Please have your proof of enrollment, letters of recommendation, and personal statement ready before submitting your application. After submission, the APA Virginia Vice President of Inclusion will follow up to request the documents.
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How Applications Are Reviewed
The Inclusion Committee, chaired by the Vice President of Inclusion, will review applications based on:
- Passion for planning – Demonstrated in your personal statement
- Academic enrollment and eligibility – Confirmed through your submitted documents
- Strength of letters of recommendation – Insight from those who support your journey
- Completion of all application requirements – Ensuring all required materials are included
Award Notification and Recognition
- The Inclusion Committee will review applications and select scholarship recipients by May 31.
- The scholarship recipients will be notified by the Chapter by June 15.
- The scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to be featured in APA Virginia’s Chapter Newsbrief and recognized during the Awards Lunch at the Chapter’s Annual Conference the following year.
Your voice and experiences matter in shaping the future of planning. Apply today!