Architecture students in America leave university with around $40,000 debt in comparison to the average student debt of $25,000, the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) has claimed. In response to this imbalance, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the AIAS have called for Congress to pass legislation enabling these students to work on a pro bono basis in return for loan debt assistance - a measure that has been put in place for those studying other degrees.

AIA President, Jeff Potter, details: “There are numerous opportunities for young talented architects to use their skills to help rebuild our nation’s communities. The AIA and AIAS are not asking for a handout; rather, we want Congress to provide the ability of architecture graduates to use their talents in underserved communities in exchange for debt assistance, just as Congress has provided doctors, lawyers, teachers and others.”