Truman D. Picard Scholarship

The Truman D. Picard Scholarship Program is dedicated to the support of Native American students pursuing a higher education in Natural Resources. Preference will be given to students whose degree or area of study directly involves management of Forest Resources. The $4,000 award is contingent upon college and graduate students being accepted in a school for a Forestry or Fire degree.

Award: 

• $3,000 for college students studying Natural Resources (number of awards varies per year)
• $4,000 for college students studying Forestry or Fire
• $3,000 for grad students & graduating college seniors applying/accepted for grad school studying Natural Resources
• $4,000 for grad students & graduating college seniors applying/accepted for grad school studying Forestry or Fire
• $2,000 for graduating senior high school students studying Natural Resources, Forestry or Fire

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The Education Selection Committee will review and rank only those applicants who completely address each area. Please be specific. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

1. Letter of application: Should be a maximum of 2 pages in length, and discuss the following:

1. Your name, permanent mailing address, email address, and phone number.
2. School currently enrolled in or accepted to, declared major, and expected graduation date.
3. Academic interest in Forestry and/or Wildland Fire Management.
4. Commitment to education, community, and your culture.
5. Financial need.

2. Resume

3. Three letters of reference: Must be on letterhead, signed and dated:

1. If no letterhead is available through the reference’s organization the referrer should create their own.
2. Digital and electronic signature accepted.
3. Dated within the last six months.
4. Open sealed documents, if applicable.
5. Reference letters are not accepted directly from referrals, submit with your completed application.

4. Evidence of validated enrollment in a federally recognized tribe or Alaska Native Corporation, as established by the U.S. Government. Accepted documents include a copy of your member or descendent enrollment card, front and back, or completed BIA Form 4432 Verification of Indian Preference for Employment, download at https://bit.ly/BIAForm4432.

5. Transcripts: ALL students must include transcripts. Unofficial or official both accepted. Please open sealed transcripts.

1. High school students must also provide a college acceptance letter and class schedule to verify their major before a check is released.
2. College students must also provide proof of their declared major & current class schedule.

6. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA): ALL students must complete the FASFA and attach the Student Aid

Report (SAR). If it has not been completed, include last year’s report. How to get a copy of your SAR: Once your FAFSA has been processed, you can get a copy of your SAR by logging in to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa using your FSA ID and selecting the “View SAR option on the “My FAFSA” page; or contacting the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243 and requesting a copy be sent to you via U.S. mail (allow 10–14 days for delivery).