John Wright Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Tree Fund

Introduction
The John Wright Memorial Scholarship provides a single student award each year. Established at the TREE Fund by Wright Tree Service to honor the memory of company founder John L. Wright and his son John R. Wright, the scholarship is intended to help students pursuing careers in commercial arboriculture manage college costs and avoid excessive debt. (For more about Wright Tree Service and the Wright family, see the company’s website.)

Who may apply
To be eligible applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
- Be a high school senior about to begin college or community college, or a returning college student working toward a first associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
- Be enrolled or planning to enroll at an accredited undergraduate institution in the United States.
- Intend to enter the commercial arboriculture industry.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Be employed at least part-time.

Special consideration will be given to honorably discharged veterans and current members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including the Reserves and National Guard.

Award amount and disbursement
One $5,000 scholarship is awarded each year. The award is paid in two installments: one payment in the fall semester and a second payment in the spring semester. The spring disbursement depends on continued enrollment and meeting the required GPA standards. The scholarship is not renewable, though previous recipients may submit a new application in subsequent years. All funds are paid directly to the recipient’s educational institution and may only be applied to tuition charges. Applicants should not request an award amount exceeding their expected tuition for the academic year in which the grant will be used.

Selection priorities and application materials
The TREE Fund and Wright Tree Service seek recipients who will begin and remain in careers in arboriculture, urban forestry, or related green industries. Applicants should use their essays to clearly communicate career goals and plans within these fields. Academic records, employment history, and extracurricular involvement should demonstrate a sustained commitment to a career in the green industry.

Evaluation process and scoring
Applications are reviewed by the TREE Fund Education Committee. Committee members score applications using this rubric:
- Cumulative GPA: 20 points
- Essay: 30 points
- Advisor letter of recommendation: 20 points
- Second letter of recommendation: 15 points
- Potential for sustaining a career in arboriculture, urban forestry, or related fields: 15 points
- Maximum possible score: 100 points

The Education Committee’s recommendations are forwarded to the TREE Fund Board of Trustees in May each year. Award recipients will be notified within two weeks of the Board’s decision.