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Money doesn’t grow on trees, so finding scholarships for forestry degrees is important to conserve your own financial resources.
Studying forestry builds the scientific skills to produce high-quality lumber products while preserving biodiversity. Removing timber for human consumption with minimum environmental impact is forestry’s goal. It’s increasingly essential because the United Nations FAO estimates that 18 million acres of forest are lost annually.
Foresters typically hold at least a bachelor’s degree from SAF-accredited universities to do their part fighting against Earth’s deforestation. Demand for foresters is slightly higher than other conservation scientists, with 10-year job growth poised at 8 percent through 2024. Forestry majors can also embrace the great outdoors as national/state park rangers, regional planners, landscape designers, logging production managers, and environmentalists.
Chop down your tuition bills while sprouting a long-lasting career with these 25 great forestry scholarships.
1. Allen W. Plumb Scholarship
Deadline: November 2nd
The New Hampshire Land Surveyors Association (NHLSA) gifts the $2,000 Allen W. Plumb Scholarship annually to college sophomores, juniors, and seniors residing in the “Granite State” who are undertaking accredited associate or bachelor’s programs for forestry. Aspiring professional land surveyors must submit three references, academic transcripts, financial aid information, and a personal essay. There are also the Warner M. Plummer and Melvin E. Jenkins Scholarships up for grabs.
Contact
Allen W. Plumb Scholarship
2 Moulton Street
Raymond, NH 03077
(800) 698-5447
info@nhlsa.org
2. Arborjet Taking Root Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
Initiated by COO Russ Davis, the Arborjet Taking Root Scholarship provides $1,000 yearly to 10 outstanding high school seniors who will pursue arboriculture careers after an accredited two- or four-year degree. Acceptable majors include forestry, botany, plant biology, horticulture, natural conservation, environmental science, and entomology. College-bound, full-time U.S. students can apply via Scholarship Management Services with a transcript, appraisal form, and brief goals statement.
Contact
Arborjet Taking Root Scholarship
99 Blueberry Hill Road
Woburn, MA 01801
(781) 935-9070
arborjet@warnerpr.com
3. Bartlett Tree Experts Scholarship
Deadline: October 1st or January 16th
Each semester, Bartlett Tree Experts in Stamford, Connecticut, gives back by providing a $1,500 scholarship to two young arborists who intend to study horticulture, arboriculture, urban forestry, or similar majors. Eligibility criteria requires finishing a high school diploma or GED, entering a two- or four-year U.S. college, matriculating for 12+ credits per term, and exhibiting clear interest in trees. Participating schools include Cornell, Brigham Young, Penn State, Purdue, and SUNY ESF.
Contact
Bartlett Tree Experts Scholarship
P.O. Box 3067
Stamford, CT 06905
(203) 323-1131
tmcnulty@bartlett.com
4. Ben Meadows Leadership Scholarship
Deadline: June 30th
Named for one of America’s top outdoor supply providers, the Ben Meadows Leadership Scholarship has granted $2,500 annually since 1956 from the Society of American Foresters. It’s intended for college juniors and seniors who are enrolled full-time in SAF-accredited bachelor’s programs for forestry, agroforestry, natural resource, wood science, or wildlife management. Applicants must be actively involved in extracurricular activities, display leadership skills, and attain a cumulative GPA above 2.5.
Contact
Ben Meadows Leadership Scholarship
10100 Laureate Way
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 897-8720
membership@safnet.org
5. Carl Morrow Graduate Scholarships
Deadline: January 15th
The Conservation Foundation of Missouri Charitable Trust (CFMCT) honors the long-time VP of Missouri Power and late Chairman by awarding the Carl Morrow Graduate Scholarships for $1,000 apiece. Suitable candidates must live in one of Missouri’s 114 counties, enroll as master’s or doctoral students at in-state universities, and pursue conservation-related majors like forestry or fisheries management. Preference is given to previous recipients of the Charles P. Bell or Ed Stegner Scholarships.
Contact
Carl Morrow Graduate Scholarships
728 West Main Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
(573) 634-2322
mhaymaker@confedmo.org
6. Carolyn A. Craig Scholarship
Deadline: January 20th
Founded in 1928, the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation (WGCF) offers five named forestry scholarships for “Badger State” natives, including the $2,000 Carolyn A. Craig Scholarship. This merit-based program honors the Master Landscape Consultant’s 24-year career by supporting upperclassmen studying horticulture, floriculture, botany, forestry, agronomy, or other land-related studies in Wisconsin. Students must hold junior or senior standing, possess a minimum 3.0 GPA overall, and exhibit volunteerism with gardening projects.
Contact
Carolyn A. Craig Scholarship
7437 Terrace Avenue
Madison, WI 53562
contactwgcf@gmail.com
7. E.B. Miller Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 15th
Valued at $1,000, the E.B. Miller Memorial Scholarship was created by the Ohio Forestry Association (OFA) to honor the third-generation sawmill worker who served as Chairman for the Paul Bunyan Show. Qualified recipients must be U.S. citizens living in the “Buckeye State,” attend an approved Ohio college for an associate or bachelor’s degree, major in forestry, show scholastic excellence with a minimum 2.5 GPA, and write an essay about challenges facing today’s forests.
Contact
E.B. Miller Memorial Scholarship
1100-H Brandywine Blvd.
Zanesville, OH 43701
(888) 388-7337
info@ohioforest.org
8. Emanuel Fritz Memorial Scholarships
Deadline: February 3rd
The Redwood Region Logging Conference (RRLC) remembers its founder and the developer of the California Forest Practice Rules by gifting three Emanuel Fritz Memorial Scholarships for $2,000 each year. Funding is reserved for returning undergraduates in the SAF-accredited forestry programs at California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt State University, or the University of California-Berkeley. Other Redwood lovers should consider the Kent & Larry Holmgren and Jere Melo Memorial Scholarships.
Contact
Emanuel Fritz Memorial Scholarships
5601 South Broadway
Eureka, CA 95503
(707) 443-4091
rrlc@sonic.net
9. Frank Santamour Scholarship
Deadline: September 2nd
The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (MAC-ISA) started the Frank Santamour Scholarship to award $1,250 for student members who are registered full-time in accredited horticulture, arboriculture, urban forestry, or landscape design programs. Having good standing at a two- or four-year college in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, or District of Columbia is required. Applications must include a one-page narrative in which future arborists discuss their accomplishments.
Contact
Frank Santamour Scholarship
P.O. Box 1200
Haymarket, VA 20168
(703) 894-4494
exdirector@macisa.org
10. Harry Hampton Fund Scholarship
Deadline: January 31st
Affiliated with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Harry Hampton Memorial Wildlife Fund presents a $5,000 scholarship yearly to honor his successful 20-year dedication to preserving the Congaree River. The renewable, four-year award helps South Carolina public or private high school seniors with a 2.5 GPA or higher who are entering an in-state higher learning institution to study natural resources disciplines, including forestry. Also apply for the $2,500 Wallace F. Pate Scholarship.
Contact
Harry Hampton Fund Scholarship
P.O. Box 2641
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 600-1570
jim.goller@hamptonwildlifefund.org
11. Horace M. Thayer Scholarship
Deadline: June 1st
Devoted to “Cultivating Innovation,” the TREE Fund offers several great scholarships for forestry degrees, including the Horace M. Thayer Scholarship for $2,000. This one-time, merit-based program selects college sophomores who have chosen a major or minor in forestry, urban forestry, horticulture, or arboriculture. Eligible candidates must permanently live in Delaware or Pennsylvania, attend an accredited U.S. college, excel academically with a 2.5 GPA or better, and display appreciation for shade trees.
Contact
Horace M. Thayer Scholarship
552 S. Washington Street Suite 109
Naperville, IL 60540
(630) 369-8300
treefund@treefund.org
12. Jane Parr Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: April 30th
Forestry majors calling Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland home could qualify for the $2,000 Jane Parr Memorial Scholarship from the Martha Washington Garden Club in Yardley. Funding supports young horticulturists who are completing accredited education in select fields like forestry, conservation, turf management, floriculture, and landscape architecture. Applications won’t be considered without a college admission letter, transcript, personal essay, and list of community service.
Contact
Jane Parr Memorial Scholarship
1600 Edgewood Road
Yardley, PA 19067
kkuffel@verizon.net
13. John Mabry Forestry Scholarships
Deadline: June 30th
Based 60 percent on scholastic achievement, the John Mabry Forestry Scholarships grant $2,000 from the Railway Tie Association for two future wood crosstie industry leaders. It’s designed for college juniors and seniors matriculated full-time in SAF-accredited bachelor’s programs for forestry. Consideration is also given for leadership potential, career objectives, financial need, and determination. Past recipients attend the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, University of California-Berkeley, Oklahoma State University, and more.
Contact
John Mabry Forestry Scholarships
115 Commerce Drive Suite C
Fayetteville, GA 30214
(770) 460-5553
ties@rta.org
14. Kleinhans Fellowship for Forestry
Deadline: February 28th
Since 1987, the Rainforest Alliance has funded the lucrative, two-year Kleinhans Fellowship for Forestry to provide $20,000 for graduate students undertaking research projects on trees in Latin America, including Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru. Qualified fellows will be doctoral candidates at accredited U.S. institutions who already hold a master’s degree in forestry, botany, ecology, or a similar environmental science. Research proposals must include a budget, curriculum vitae, and two recommendations.
Contact
Kleinhans Fellowship for Forestry
233 Broadway 28th Floor
New York, NY 10279
(212) 677-1900
kleinhans@ra.org
15. Mabel Mayforth Scholarship
Deadline: March 1st
The Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont offers the one-year Mabel Mayforth Scholarship of $1,000 for United States citizens and permanent residents living in the “Green Mountain State” who are entering their junior, senior, or master’s year. Interested applicants must be taking 12+ graded credits in agronomy, forestry, horticulture, plant pathology, systems ecology, and land management majors at colleges listed on the U.S. Department of Education website with a cumulative GPA surpassing 3.2.
Contact
Mabel Mayforth Scholarship
973 Stock Farm Road
Randolph, VT 05060
(802) 728-6083
marybeth@eravt.com
16. NWFA Wood Studies Scholarship
Deadline: February 1st
The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Education & Research Foundation bestows a $1,000 Wood Studies Scholarship upon an exemplary high school senior who will study forestry, natural resources, or environmental science. Catching the committee’s eye involves gaining admission at accredited four-year U.S. colleges, attaining a minimum “B” average, scoring at least 25 on the ACT or 1800 on the SAT, presenting an experienced resume, and submitting a 500-word essay on sustainable forestry practices.
Contact
NWFA Wood Studies Scholarship
111 Chesterfield Industrial Blvd.
Chesterfield, MO 63005
(800) 422-4556
tricia.swindoll@nwfa.org
17. Pacific Forest Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: May 1st
Ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 each, the Pacific Forest Foundation Scholarships are given to help at least five undergraduates afford tuition and books. Funding is reserved for students attending accredited two- or four-year U.S. or Canadian colleges for degrees in forestry, forest engineering, forest management, natural resource management, or related timber majors. PFF’s featured schools include Humboldt State, Cal Poly, Oregon State, and Vancouver Island University.
Contact
Pacific Forest Foundation Scholarships
P.O. Box 232
Battle Ground, WA 98604
(503) 383-6474
info@pacificforestfoundation.org
18. Peters Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: April 1st
Started by Herman and Katherine Peters, the Peters Foundation confers scholarships for $2,500 to $5,000 annually over four years for up to $20,000 total. Accepted applicants must be graduating high school seniors with unmet financial need who are entering accredited Christian colleges in Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, Arizona, or Colorado to study environmental science fields, including forestry. The Phase I application must include an official transcript, Student Aid Report, and intended course of study.
Contact
Peters Foundation Scholarships
351 West Glade Road
Palatine, IL 60067
(866) 847-2922
sleonard@petersfoundation.org
19. Robert E. Dougherty Scholarships
Deadline: March 10th
The Composite Panel Association honors its first Executive vice President (1960-1983) by awarding five Robert E. Dougherty Scholarships for $5,000 apiece. Residents of the United States, Canada, and Mexico can apply if they’re enrolled full-time in undergrad or post-grad study in forestry, natural resources, land management, wood science, or architecture. Before checks are mailed in August, finalists must present a 500-word essay about issues in North America’s wood products industry.
Contact
Robert E. Dougherty Scholarships
19465 Deerfield Avenue Suite 306
Leesburg, VA 20176
(703) 724-1128
gheroux@cpamail.org
20. Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
Deadline: July 1st
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries began the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship to send $2,000 to undergraduate and $3,000 to graduate students who are erecting environmental careers in forestry, wildlife management, or marine science. Eligibility criteria requires living in the “Bayou State” for 12+ months, attending a public college in Louisiana full-time, holding at least 60 college credits, displaying a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher, and completing the FAFSA form.
Contact
Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship
P.O. Box 91202
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
(800) 259-5626
custserv@la.gov
21. SAF Student Diversity Scholarship
Deadline: September 9th
Ethnic minority students could earn the Student Diversity Scholarship for $1,000 to $2,000 from the Society of American Foresters while serving as ambassadors for the SAF National Convention. From the associate to doctoral level, any U.S. college students studying forestry, natural resources, conservation, terrestrial ecosystems, or related majors could apply. The online application and recommendation letter must be supplemented with a brief video highlighting diverse students’ interests.
Contact
SAF Student Diversity Scholarship
10100 Laureate Way
Bethesda, MD 20814
(301) 897-8720
heggip@safnet.org
22. See Through Canoe Scholarship
Deadline: November 30th
Founded in 2007, See Through Canoe, a Seminole-based manufacturer of glass bottom boats, confers a $1,000 scholarship yearly to support college students’ passion for forestry, natural resources, or environmental science. Qualified candidates must attend U.S. colleges full-time, have taken at least two forestry courses, maintain academic merit with a minimum 3.5 GPA, display strong appreciation for Mother Nature, and thoroughly answer two short essay questions.
Contact
See Through Canoe Scholarship
9846 Indian Key Trail
Seminole, FL 33776
(850) 240-0992
sales@seethroughcanoe.com
23. Truman D. Picard Scholarship
Deadline: January 18th
Named after one of the OSU Forest Engineering Institute’s first American Indian alumni, the Truman D. Picard Scholarship is awarded for $2,500 by the Intertribal Timber Council each Spring. It’s reserved for Native American and Alaskan Native students in federally recognized tribes who are pursuing bachelor’s or master’s study in natural resources fields like forestry, preferably in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho. Another forestry option is the Dick French Memorial Scholarship.
Contact
Truman D. Picard Scholarship
1112 NE 21st Avenue Suite 4
Portland, OR 97232
(503) 282-4296
itc1@teleport.com
24. Western Hardwood Association Scholarships
Deadline: February 28th
Established in 1955, the Western Hardwood Association (WHA) presents two $2,500 scholarships annually to support tomorrow’s sawmill owners, timber workers, pallet producers, and manufacturers. Future hardwood industry leaders must be attending an accredited two- or four-year North American college full-time with a bachelor’s or master’s major in fields like forestry, renewable materials, wood science, industrial engineering, and environmental studies. Priority is given for permanent residence in Washington, Oregon, British Columbia, Idaho, or Northern California.
Contact
Western Hardwood Association Scholarships
P.O. Box 1095
Camas, WA 98607
(360) 835-1600
wha@westernhardwood.org
25. Wood Splitters Direct Scholarship
Deadline: December 1st
As a BBB-accredited logging retailer founded in 2008 in Oregon, Wood Splitters Direct offers a $500 scholarship for United States citizens aged 18 or older who are studying forestry at accredited two- or four-year colleges. Entering the competition involves typing an original 750-1,000 word essay about how the lumber industry can manage the environmental crisis striking North American forests because of the destructive mountain pine beetle.
Contact
Wood Splitters Direct Scholarship
6180 Shady Brook Drive
Central Point, OR 97502
(888) 706-2434
Affording soaring tuition prices can feel like climbing a Sequoia. Although foresters have a decent annual mean wage at $60,650, college debt can slash into future earnings. Student loan debt in America broke another record in 2016 by passing $1.31 trillion. Financial aid is a free resource for forestry majors to lower out-of-pocket costs for planting their careers’ seeds. In addition to these scholarships for forestry degrees, search for school-based programs like the Richardson Scholarship at Oregon State and William M. Carter Memorial Scholarship at Virginia Tech.
