PAVE Student Aid Program

Scholarship Sponsored by PAVE

PAVE Global is a mission-driven nonprofit embedded in the design community that cultivates meaningful connections among design students, educators, and professionals worldwide. Centered on equity and inclusion, we highlight the many career paths available in the creation of consumer environments by offering mentorship, experiential opportunities, networking, and financial assistance to help develop the next generation of design leaders.

Program overview
The PAVE Global Student Aid Program provides one-time financial grants to college-level students in design and architecture who are facing economic hardship. Each award is $1,000 USD and is intended to help cover essential educational and living costs so recipients can remain on track toward completing their degree.

Quick facts
- Award amount: $1,000 USD per recipient
- Eligible candidates: Full-time college students pursuing degrees in design or architecture
- Minimum GPA: 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Estimated time to complete application: ~30–45 minutes

Eligibility
To be considered, applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university program in design or architecture.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Be registered for a minimum of 12 credit hours (or the program’s equivalent full-time enrollment requirement).

Application requirements
We keep the application focused on understanding each applicant’s circumstances rather than perfect presentation. Applications must include:

1) Letter of Explanation — up to 500 words
- Describe your current financial challenges and specifically how the PAVE grant would be used.
- Explain your educational goals and career aspirations: how will your degree in design or architecture enable you to contribute to the built or consumer environment?
- Demonstrate both financial need and your potential to make an impact in your field.

2) Work sample — 2–3 pages maximum
- Submit recent examples of your individual design work. Group projects are not acceptable.

3) Transcript
- Provide a copy of your current transcript (official or unofficial).

Selection criteria
Awards are determined using a combination of merit and demonstrated need. Both your academic record (GPA) and level of financial need will be considered.

Before you apply
Please confirm you can honestly check the following:
- I am currently enrolled full-time in a college design or architecture program.
- My cumulative GPA is 2.5 or higher.
- I can clearly explain my present financial situation.
- I have 2–3 pages of recent, individual design or architecture work.
- I have access to my transcript (official or unofficial).

If you are unsure about any of these items, we still encourage you to submit an application.