Larry R. Hall Memorial Scholarship Fund for Education and Training

Larry Hall was a president of ISA, a dedicated Illinois arborist, a true tree enthusiast, a 1999 Arborist of the Year, and a lifelong learner who believed in the education of young arborists as the next generation of tree ambassadors. He began his 60-year career in the tree care industry at the age of 18 with no formal training, but through his commitment and lifelong education, he became a business owner, a powerful voice for the benefits and importance of trees, as well as a devoted supporter of young arborists and arboriculture students.

The Larry R. Hall Memorial Scholarship Fund for Education and Training was established by the Illinois Arborist Association as a permanent endowment to support education and research in Illinois. Please help us honor Larry Hall’s legacy for urban forestry and education of young Illinois arborists.

Applicants must be high school seniors entering 4yr or 2yr college or university or trade school or returning college students seeking a first bachelor’s degree or associates degree while attending an accredited US college university or trade school. All applicants must have a genuine interest in the arboriculture industry, which they will express in an application letter.

Scholarship award amounts are $5,000, paid in two increments, one in the fall semester, and one in the spring. (Second payment is contingent upon re-enrollment and GPA standards being met). Up to $500 of the scholarship may be used for books and supplies or equipment. This is a non-renewable scholarship and must by applied for year to year.

Applications accepted January 15 to March 15, each year.

All of the following criteria must be met to qualify:

• Actively pursuing a professional career in arboriculture sciences or related fields.
• 2.5 GPA minimum
• Preferences given to those attending an Illinois college or university, or are from the state of Illinois.
• Member of the Illinois Arborist Association, student membership accepted.

APPLICATION PROCESS

TREE Fund will accept applications only between January 15 and March 15, 2026.

To apply, go to TREE Fund’s online portal here. You will be asked to create, or login, to the online application portal.

Applicants will need the following information to complete the application. Application progress can be saved as information is gathered.

• Educational standing and enrollment status
• History of scholarships and extracurricular activities
• Essay describing your reasons for pursuing your chosen career, your goals and objectives, and why you should be chosen for this scholarship (maximum 1000 words)
• Current transcript
• Two letters of recommendation or contact information for people who will provide them (one must be from your academic advisor)

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

TREE Fund is particularly interested in having scholarship recipients begin and remain in careers in arboriculture, urban forestry, or related green industries. Applicant essays should provide TREE Fund with a sense of the student’s career aspirations and plans within these industries, and academic, work and extracurricular activities should reflect commitment toward this goal.

TREE Fund’s Education Committee will evaluate applications. Members of this committee will rate applications using the following rubric:

• Cumulative GPA: 20 points
• Essay: 30 points
• Advisor letter of recommendation: 20 points
• Second letter of recommendation: 15 points
• Potential for continuing career in arboriculture, urban forestry, or related fields: 15 points
• Total Maximum Possible Score: 100 points.

Recommendations on scholarship awards will be presented to TREE Fund Board of Trustees in May, each year, and will be announced within two weeks of their decision.

TREE Fund does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, disability or national or ethnic origin. Current trustees of TREE Fund or any members of the family of any such trustee are ineligible to receive scholarships from TREE Fund.