Bonnie Appleton Memorial Scholarship
Offered by TREE Fund
About this scholarship
The Bonnie Appleton Memorial Scholarship is a $5,000 TREE Fund tuition award for rising college juniors and seniors preparing for careers in urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, nursery management, or closely related fields. The MidAtlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture and Trees Virginia established the program in memory of Virginia Tech horticulture professor, researcher, and educator Bonnie Appleton. Recipients receive $2,500 for the fall term and a second $2,500 payment for spring after TREE Fund confirms re-enrollment and satisfactory GPA status. The award is non-renewable, may not exceed the student’s anticipated tuition expense, and is paid directly to the accredited U.S. institution. Applicants must be enrolled full time during the award year, hold at least a 3.0 GPA, and show a clear commitment to a professional career in an eligible green-industry discipline. The online application requests academic and enrollment information, scholarship and extracurricular history, a current transcript, proof of student membership in the International Society of Arboriculture, a career-focused essay of up to 1,000 words, and two recommendations, including one from an academic advisor. TREE Fund scores GPA, the essay, both recommendations, and evidence that the student is likely to remain in arboriculture or a related profession. Applications are accepted from January 15 through March 15 each year.
Eligibility
- Pursue a bachelor’s degree in urban forestry, arboriculture, horticulture, nursery management, or a related field
- Be a rising junior or senior enrolled full time at an accredited U.S. undergraduate institution during the award year
- Hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0
- Show a clear commitment to a professional career in an eligible green-industry field
- Provide proof of student membership in the International Society of Arboriculture
- Submit a current transcript, a career essay of no more than 1,000 words, and two recommendations including one from an academic advisor
- Not be a current TREE Fund trustee or a member of a current trustee’s family