Theodore “Toby” Ryan Memorial Scholarship
Offered by Delaware Solid Waste Authority
About this scholarship
The Theodore “Toby” Ryan Memorial Scholarship is one of two renewable college awards offered by the Delaware Solid Waste Authority. It supports a Delaware student planning full-time study in environmental studies, engineering, environmental education, sustainability, environmental science, or another related environmental discipline. One recipient receives $2,500 per year. The award may be renewed for a total of four years when the student maintains a 3.0 GPA, stays in an approved major at an accredited college or university, and completes DSWA’s annual renewal form. Eligible applicants must be Delaware residents and either seniors at a Delaware high school, Delaware homeschool seniors, or U.S. armed-services veterans. DSWA accepts applications year-round, with all materials due by April 30 each year; the next deadline is April 30, 2027. Applicants submit the official form, an official transcript, and an essay of no more than 500 words describing where an environmental-studies or engineering degree could take them and how their background would contribute diversity to the field. DSWA explains that diversity may include education, socioeconomic background, gender, race, nationality, abilities, experiences, or hardships. Reviewers consider the entire application while looking for strong interest in environmental issues and diversity’s impact on the field.
Eligibility
- Be a Delaware resident
- Be a senior at a Delaware high school, a Delaware homeschool senior, or a U.S. armed-services veteran
- Plan full-time study at an accredited college or university
- Major in engineering, environmental studies, environmental education, sustainability, environmental science, or a related field
- Submit an official transcript
- Submit the required environmental-career and diversity essay in 500 words or fewer
- Complete the official application and supporting materials by April 30, 2027