Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara

Scholarships

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Through our partnership with the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara, AFSB is fortunate and pleased to support exceptional students pursuing careers in architecture.

Students interested in applying for a scholarship should visit the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara for applications and additional information.

Their Future is in Your Hands

An annual Scholarship Reception and Awards Ceremony is held each year in June at an architecturally inspired location to celebrate and honor the students who have received scholarship awards that year.

Where it all began…

In 1983, the Architectural Foundation of Santa Barbara (AFSB) established a Scholarship Grants program to focus on the profession of architecture with a generous donation from major founder and Santa Barbara Architect, Pierre Claeyssens.  Since that time new funders have joined to increase the funding and yearly grants.  To date, over $1,300,000 has been given to graduates of Santa Barbara County high schools studying in the field of Architecture.  

More Information About Our Scholarship Grants

The annual awards generally exceed $50,000 and distributed to 15-20 students. AFSB partners with the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. Along with maintaining our scholarship funds, the Scholarship Foundation takes charge of the application, notification, and awarding process based on AFSB’s directive criteria for each scholarship category.

AFSB encourages and embraces the scholarship recipients to be involved and serve their communities as they pursue their careers and has been delighted when some return to Santa Barbara and join the AFSB team as program volunteers and Directors on our Board.

Anyone interested in contributing to the Scholarships or creating a new Scholarship should contact us for more information.

AFSB Scholarship Fund

  • This general fund is for exceptional students studying Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Architectural History, Architectural Preservation, or Urban Planning.

Lutah Maria Riggs Fund

  • This fund honors Santa Barbara’s own pioneer Architect who was the first woman to be named a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects – the highest honor bestowed upon AIA members and who designed some of Santa Barbara’s most beloved and prominent structures.  This fund goes to a student showing exceptional scholastic in their field of study. ​

Ken Kruger Fund

  • Ken Kruger was a beloved Santa Barbara Architect and fellow of the American Institute of Architects. This memorial fund is offered to a student showing understanding of the importance of giving back to the community​.

Santa Barbara Beautiful Fund

  • Santa Barbara Beautiful is a non- profit and longtime partner of the Architectural Foundation involved with the promotion and appreciation of the importance of beauty in architecture and landscape architecture. This fund focuses on a student showing commitment in their field of study and excellence in their internship or work experience. ​

The Sustainability Project Fun

  • The Sustainability Project of Santa Barbara for years highlighted, educated, and promoted the importance of Sustainability in our world and especially in the built environment. This fund is designated for the student who demonstrates interest and understanding of the importance of design that addresses sustainability for a healthy environment.​

Ensberg Jacobs Design Art In Architecture Grant

  • Cassandra Ensberg is the second woman architect to become a fellow of the American institute of architects from the AIA Santa Barbara Chapter. She and her architect partner and husband Tom Jacobs have created this Art in Architecture fund to recognize a student who shows ability and understanding of the importance and essential connection between Art and Architecture.​
Back to Education

2020 AFSB Scholarship Recipients

Taylor Klassen

Freshmen, UC Santa Cruz Environmental Science

Additional Scholarship Award:
The Sustainability Project

Sophie Clementi

Year Four, CPSU San Luis Obispo Architecture

Additional Scholarship Awarded:
Santa Barbara Beautiful

Avalon Gagnon

Sophomore, UC Berkeley Architecture

Additional Scholarship Award:
Ensberg Jacobs Design Art & Architecture

Michael Soto

University of Oregon

Additional Scholarship Awarded:
Santa Barbara Beautiful

Joseph Solorio

Freshmen, CPSU San Luis Obispo Architecture

Gabriel Zepeda

Year Four, CPSU San Luis Obispo Landscape Architecture

Kaye Dominique Lao

Year Five, CPSU San Luis Obispo

Josephine Briones

University of Hawaii-Manoa Architecture

Anthony Ibarra

CPSU San Luis Obispo

Additional Scholarship Awarded:
Ken Kruger Memorial

Belen Zacarias Hernandez

CSU Sacramento

Caleb Brock

South Dakota State University

Manuel Bermudez Hernandez

CPSU San Luis Obispo

Aylin Casas Mejia

CPSU San Luis Obispo

Michelle Maldonado

CPSU San Luis Obispo

Robert Lara

University of San Francisco

Thank You Videos From Scholarship Recipients

“With the help of the Santa Barbara Scholarship Foundation I was able to put all of my focus on school and not worry about finding ways to stay in school or hunting for jobs. Without having to worry about coming up with money for school I was able to excel in my architecture classes.”
Brianna Wiley
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
AFSB scholarship awardees