Scholarship Description

High school juniors and seniors are invited to enter the American Planning Association’s (APA) annual high school essay contest. Two $5,000 college scholarships will be awarded.

Students are asked to create a historic preservation plan for their community. The plan should focus on preserving the community’s significant historic areas, buildings, elements or features. To see the assignment please go to www.planning.org/essay.

Essay submissions are due January 15, 2009. Eligibility and additional information is available at http://www.planning.org/essay


Two students will each receive a $5,000 scholarship to the college or university he or she attends after graduation and complimentary registration and a travel stipend to attend an APA National Planning Conference. Ten additional essays will receive honorable mentions. Students earning an honorable mention will receive a $100 gift certificate to APA’s PlanningBooks.com store.

Essays will be judged by a panel of planning and education professionals on research and analysis, creativity and quality of the plan, and writing quality and organization.

This is the third year APA has sponsored the high school essay contest. Previous winners wrote about affordable housing and green neighborhoods. To read the previous winning essays or for more information on the contest, visit: www.planning.org/essay

Website Address

 http://www.planning.org/essay/