College Scholarships

Scholarships are administered by the Tree Fund.

Application Process

Applications are due by March 15th and will only be accepted through the online application form.

You will need the following to complete the online application:

  • Educational standing and enrollment status
  • History of scholarships and extracurricular activities
  • Essay describing relevant subjects currently being studied, which subjects are the most enjoyable and why, any experience in arboriculture or urban forestry, and how you intend to make a career in this field (maximum 1000 words)
  • Current transcript
  • Proof of Pennsylvania or Delaware residency (copy of current driver’s license, state ID, or utility bill dated within 30 days of application submission)
  • Two letters of recommendation or contact information for people who will provide them (must be from advisors or teachers connected with the relevant coursework or program)

Criteria for Selection

Recommendations on scholarship awards will be presented to the TREE Fund Board of Trustees for final approval at or before the Summer Board Meeting and will be announced within 30 days of their decision.

Applications will be scored on the following scale:

  • GPA (0-20)
  • Essay (0-30)
  • 1st letter of recommendation (0-20)
  • 2nd letter of recommendation (0-20)
  • Potential for continuing in arboriculture or urban forestry (0-10)

The TREE Fund does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability or national or ethnic origin. Current trustees of the TREE Fund or any member of the family of any such trustee are ineligible to receive scholarships from the TREE Fund.

Reporting Requirements and Funds Distribution

Recipients will be notified within 30 days of the Board’s award decision. The award letter will include instructions on submitting acceptance information for the scholarship award. The recipient will also be asked to upload a brief biography and a photo for use in TREE Fund and industry publications.

Upon the TREE Fund’s receipt of the acceptance information, the first installment (50% of the award amount) will be sent to the recipient’s institution. A 2nd term verification of enrollment and GPA is due to the TREE Fund midway through the school year, after which the second installment (50% of the award amount) will be sent. If a student withdraws from the college or university during the scholarship period, the full amount of the scholarship funding will be returned to the TREE Fund.

FRAN WARD WOMEN IN ARBORICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Please review the following information before proceeding to the online application.(http://www.treefund.org/scholarships/tree-fund-scholarships/ward)

The Fran Ward Women in Arboriculture Scholarship Program provides financial support for university and college students through scholarships to foster a greater appreciation of shade trees and promote the science and practice of professional arboriculture in Pennsylvania and Delaware. Applicants must be enrolled in a major, minor, option, or program related to the practice of arboriculture and urban forestry at an accredited college or university.

Scholarship award amounts are $3,000 each. The award is non-renewable but can be applied for annually. All awards will be paid directly to the educational institution attended by the recipient in two equal payments. Mid-year proof of enrollment and a minimum 2.5 GPA is required prior to the second payment. A student may apply for both the Fran Ward Women in Arboriculture and Horace M. Thayer Scholarships, but no student may receive both scholarships concurrently.

All of the following criteria must be met to qualify:

  • Resident of Pennsylvania or Delaware
  • Female
  • Returning to their second year of a two-year program or at least their second year of a four-year program at an accredited college or university and be currently enrolled in a major, minor, option, or program of arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, urban forestry, or related field.
  • 2.5 GPA minimum

Application Process

Applications are due March 15th and will only be accepted through the online application form.

You will need the following to complete the online application:

  • Educational standing and enrollment status
  • History of scholarships and extracurricular activities
  • Essay describing relevant subjects currently being studied, which subjects are the most enjoyable and why, any experience in arboriculture or urban forestry, and how you intend to make a career in this field (maximum 1000 words)
  • Current transcript
  • Proof of Pennsylvania or Delaware residency (copy of current driver’s license, state ID, or utility bill dated within 30 days of application submission)
  • Two letters of recommendation or contact information for people who will provide them (must be from advisors or teachers connected with the relevant coursework or program)

Criteria for Selection

Recommendations on scholarship awards will be presented to the TREE Fund Board of Trustees for final approval at or before the Summer Board Meeting and will be announced within 30 days of their decision.

Applications will be scored on the following scale:

  • GPA (0-20)
  • Essay (0-30)
  • 1st letter of recommendation (0-20)
  • 2nd letter of recommendation (0-20)
  • Potential for continuing in arboriculture or urban forestry (0-10)

The TREE Fund does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability or national or ethnic origin. Current trustees of the TREE Fund or any member of the family of any such trustee are ineligible to receive scholarships from the TREE Fund.

Reporting Requirements and Funds Distribution

Recipients will be notified within 30 days of the Board’s award decision. The award letter will include instructions on submitting acceptance information for the scholarship award. The recipient will also be asked to upload a brief biography and a photo for use in TREE Fund and industry publications.

Upon the TREE Fund’s receipt of the acceptance information, the first installment (50% of the award amount) will be sent to the recipient’s institution. A 2nd term verification of enrollment and GPA is due to the TREE Fund midway through the school year, after which the second installment (50% of the award amount) will be sent. If a student withdraws from the college or university during the scholarship period, the full amount of the scholarship funding will be returned to the TREE Fund