The Albert E. Phillips Scholarship honors Al Phillips, a founding member of COAA who served as general counsel for the organization for 13 years. COAA acknowledges that education is a critical element to the success of those pursuing a career in our industry. As such, COAA is proud to offer up to two (2) $3000.00 Albert E. Phillips Scholarships annually to college students pursuing a career in the design and construction industry.

Winner(s) are announced at COAA's Spring COAA Connect Conference held annually in May. Recipients that elect to attend the Conference receive a complimentary conference registration, hotel accommodations, and airfare to and from the event.

Eligible Students must be either:

1. a relative of an employee of a COAA Member
2. an employee of a COAA Member Organization, or
3. a full-time student at a COAA Member Organization of higher education

The COAA scholarships are intended for full-time undergraduate students who have successfully completed their freshman year. Applicants should have a minimum 2.5-grade point average on a 4.0 scale. A current copy of the student transcript is required.

• sophomore
• junior
• senior

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident

Apply online at https://www.coaa.org/scholarship.

Students must submit:

• Scholarship Application (below)
• Essay of 1,000 words or less on one of the following topics:
  • What attracted you to construction and what are your career plans in the industry
  • What do you find to be the most critical issue facing the construction industry and why?
• A complete application includes two letters of recommendation.
  • Our preference is for one of the recommendation letters to come from a COAA Member who knows you and your work well.
  • If a COAA member is unavailable, professors, teaching assistants, and internship supervisors are acceptable.

The Albert E. Phillips Scholarship honors Al Phillips, a founding member of COAA who served as general counsel for the organization for 13 years. Albert E. Phillips is of counsel in the Atlanta law firm of Cohen Pollock Merlin & Small.  

Mr. Phillips’ practice is entirely related to construction matters, with particular emphasis on representing owners of construction projects.  Mr. Phillips has represented a broad variety of clients in his field, including state, city, and county governments; state universities; airport authorities; hospitals; national and multi-national corporations, including hotel and retail chains; airlines; public utilities; private developers; architects; engineers; contractors; and surety companies.   

Construction Owners Association of America, Inc.

5000 Austell Powder Springs Road, Suite 217

Austell, GA 30106

Email COAA

800-994-2622