Fran Ward Women in Arboriculture Scholarship
Offered by TREE Fund
About this scholarship
The Fran Ward Women in Arboriculture Scholarship is a $5,000 TREE Fund tuition award for women preparing to work in arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, urban forestry, or a related discipline. The Pennsylvania-Delaware Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture established the program to increase women’s participation in professional tree care and urban forestry. Applicants must be returning for at least the second year of a two-year or four-year program at an accredited college or university, be enrolled in an eligible major, minor, option, or program, and hold a minimum 2.5 GPA. Students who live or study in Pennsylvania or Delaware receive preference, but the official criteria do not limit applications exclusively to those states. The $5,000 award is paid directly to the institution in fall and spring installments and may only cover tuition. The second installment depends on re-enrollment and continued GPA standing. Although the scholarship is not renewable, a student may submit a new application in a later year. The portal requests enrollment and academic information, extracurricular and scholarship history, a current transcript, an essay of no more than 1,000 words explaining career goals, and two recommendations, including one from an academic advisor. TREE Fund scores GPA, the essay, both references, and evidence of long-term career potential. Applications run from January 15 through March 15 each year.
Eligibility
- Identify as female
- Return for the second year of a two-year program or at least the second year of a four-year program
- Attend an accredited college or university
- Be enrolled in an arboriculture, horticulture, forestry, urban forestry, or related major, minor, option, or program
- Hold a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
- Submit a current transcript, a career essay of no more than 1,000 words, and two recommendations including one from an academic advisor
- Understand that students living or studying in Pennsylvania or Delaware receive preference