Scholarships
Larry Hall Memorial Scholarship
The Illinois Arborist Association (IAA) is proud to offer scholarships through the Larry Hall Memorial Endowment, in partnership with the TREE Fund. This scholarship honors the legacy of Larry Hall by supporting the next generation of arborists and advancing education in arboriculture and urban forestry.
Scholarship Details
- Total Award: $5,000
- Payment Structure: Distributed in two installments (fall and spring semesters)
- Eligibility for Second Payment: Recipient must be re-enrolled and meet GPA requirements
- Additional Allowance: Up to $500 may be used for books, supplies, or equipment
- Renewal: Non-renewable; applicants may reapply each year
Who Should Apply
This scholarship is designed for students pursuing careers in:
- Arboriculture
- Urban forestry
- Horticulture or related fields
Applicants Must
- Be a high school senior planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year college, university, or trade school
OR a returning college student pursuing their first associate’s or bachelor’s degree - Be enrolled in an accredited U.S. college, university, or trade school
- Be actively pursuing a career in arboriculture or a related field
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Be a member of the Illinois Arborist Association (student memberships accepted)
Our Commitment
Through the Larry Hall Memorial Endowment, IAA is committed to investing in education, professional development, and the long-term growth of the arboriculture industry. This scholarship reflects our mission to support individuals who are passionate about tree care and the stewardship of our urban forests.
More Info & How to Apply
Applications are administered through the TREE Fund. For full eligibility requirements, deadlines, and application instructions, please click the button below.
IPSI Scholarship
Illinois Public Service Institute (IPSI) is a three-year training program that provides instruction expressly designed for public service professionals. The IPSI course includes three one-week sessions focusing on leadership development, service excellence, and personal supervisory skills. These three sessions taken are one week, each year, over the course of three years. It is a great opportunity to add to your ability to lead and work within a team environment. In supporting the education aspect of the mission of the Illinois Arborist Association, we are offering a scholarship to attend this week-long training occurring the spring or the fall.  The scholarship will be $500.
More information on the institute can be found at www.ilpsi.org.
Your application is simply a few paragraphs:
- What are your career goals?
- How will this training help you meet your goals?
- Why is support from IAA so important in helping you to meet this goal?
- Comment or message
Additionally, you will be required to submit a short article for the association newsletter. The article will discuss your experience, and how it fostered your development as an arborist and leader. Submissions are due by February 15, 2027.
Scholarship Payment Process
Scholarship recipients are required to register and attend the event. To ensure full participation, scholarships are administered as a post-event reimbursement.
Recipients will:
- Register for the event using their own payment method
- Attend the event in full
- Submit proof of attendance after the event
Upon verification, the Illinois Arborist Association will issue reimbursement for the approved scholarship amount.