2023-24 FLTWS Undergraduate Student Scholarships

The Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society is again sponsoring two undergraduate scholarship opportunities for wildlife-interested students. The Greater Everglades Student Memorial Scholarship and the Diversity Wildlife Student Scholarship will award $1,500 each to current science undergraduates interested in a wildlife career. The SE Section Field Course Tuition Scholarship will enable a current or recent undergrad student to attend a 2-week techniques field course offered by the Southeastern Section of TWS at the Jones Center in June 2024.

The memorial scholarship was established in 2008 in honor of 3 FAU students tragically lost during a wading bird survey and is open to all Juniors or Seniors studying wildlife or biology at a Florida university. The diversity award is for a student who identifies with minority status or is an ally/enabler for those typically disenfranchised by racial, ethnic or gender identification. The tuition scholarship will pay tuition and travel expenses for a Junior, Senior or recent graduate of a college in Florida to attend the SE Section’s Wildlife & Forestry Field Techniques Course at the Jones Center in Ichauway (Georgia) in June 2024. Participants may receive up to 3 course credits through Castleton University, which can be transferred to your home school. This 2-week course provides a wide variety of hands-on field experiences as well as professional networking opportunities. The scholarship includes room and board, tuition for 3 credits, and reimbursement for travel expenses. Students are responsible for transportation to and from the Jones Center; transportation during course activities is provided.

To be eligible for one of these scholarships, students must be pursuing a career in wildlife management or ecology and be supportive of the mission of The Wildlife Society. Students must also be currently enrolled in a college or university in Florida and have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or greater. Recipients will be selected based on financial need, extracurricular activities, demonstrated leadership, professional potential, personal challenges and achievements, and career goals, as stated in the student’s letter.

Candidates should submit the following items before 1 December 2023:

  1. A letter expressing professional goals and financial need;

  2. a resume or CV;

  3. copies of transcripts from each college or university attended (unofficial copies are acceptable);

  4. one letter of recommendation submitted directly from a faculty member or wildlife professional.

Students applying for the diversity scholarship should submit a separate essay on the topic of the applicant’s minority status or efforts to integrate and support others who are marginalized. This can take the form of a reflection of personal experiences supporting how selection of the candidate will increase equality and inclusivity in the field of wildlife study. Students enrolled in programs at HBUs, private, community colleges, Native American programs or alternative institutions are encouraged to apply for the diversity award.

Students applying for the tuition scholarship should include a brief statement of how participation in the course will help you develop as a wildlife professional; this can be incorporated into your cover letter, as long as it is clearly stated that you are applying for the tuition award. Please indicate how limited access to field-based or experiential learning opportunities may have reduced your ability to enter the field of natural resources with skills you will need to succeed.

 

Send to: 

Monica Folk, Chair

FLTWS Scholarship Committee

1475 Regal Court

Kissimmee, FL 34744

E-mail: monicafolk@embarqmail.com

(emailed applications preferred)  

 

The Student Scholarship Committee will announce the recipients of both awards in Spring 2024.

Students can apply to all 3 scholarships but will only be awarded one. Recipients will be nominated for a complimentary national TWS membership through the Sponsor-A-Student program. This will provide membership benefits such as access to the national TWS Mentorship Center, Career Center, publications, and training and networking opportunities. Awards will be presented at the FLTWS Spring conference in Cape Coral, 24-26 April 2024; complimentary registration and a shared student room will be provided to awardees.