Blueprint for a tuition-free final year for APDesign students.
Inspired by a generous estate gift that funded the final year of tuition for 20 fifth-year students, College of Architecture, Planning and Design leaders asked, “What if we could do that for all fifth-year students?”
Planning Dreams
As part of K-State’s land-grant mission, the college is working to reduce barriers and bring the strongest students into the nationally recognized five-year programs: architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, landscape architecture, and regional and community planning.
And after five years, they will have a master’s degree.
That’s an exciting idea for aspiring designers weighing other high-profile design schools — but also a costly one.
Demolishing Barriers
The fifth year is when students see their design dreams become realities — immersed in applied learning projects like reimagining an aquifer research institute.
It’s also when students lose Pell Grant eligibility. For families and students who budgeted for four years, a five-year program can exceed their financial reach — even more so for first-generation students.
Enter the fifth-year fellowship program. Since 2023, the number of fellowships annually has grown from 27 to 87, or roughly 60% of the average fifth-year class.
The program’s “last-dollar” approach closes the gaps left after other scholarships and waivers are applied.
Building Futures
From community green spaces to skyscrapers like Dubai’s Burj Khalifa (yep, designed by a K-State alum), graduates are designing spaces to be more useful, meaningful and beautiful.
Students who rise to the challenge of the five-year master’s programs are laying the foundation of fulfilling careers and potentially life-changing income.
Let’s help them build that foundation.
The Pitch
What if every design student received a destiny-defining fifth-year fellowship?
K-State has one of the top architecture and design schools in the country. But national-caliber students have their choice of schools to attend. We can make their choice easier by fully funding the fifth-year fellowship program.
Interested in supporting this program?
Contact us
Damon Fairchild
785-775-2086
damonf@ksufoundation.org