Scholarships
Unlock Your Potential
Our scholarship program is here to support students like you, who are driven by a desire to create eco-friendly solutions and harness the power of renewable resources.
The sustainable biomaterials department is more than just a place of learning; it’s a community of passionate individuals dedicated to making a positive impact on our planet. We understand the financial challenges that come with pursuing higher education, and we’re committed to easing that burden so you can focus on your studies and research. By investing in your future, we believe you will become a leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship, ready to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges with innovative and sustainable solutions.
How to Apply for Scholarships
Students may wish to apply for any of the scholarships the department offers below. Generally, all scholarship applications for the Department are due in our College of Natural Resources and Environment's (CNRE) Associate Dean's office prior to February 15.
Things to know before you apply
- You must be an incoming first-year student to the department or otherwise enrolled in one of the department's four-year degree programs.
- IMPORTANT: You may also wish to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form as in many cases the information on the form is required to determine eligibility for scholarships.
- Also please note, the FAFSA is available for completion on January 1 and must be submitted (with valid signatures) by Virginia Tech's March 1 priority deadline in order to be considered eligible for all types of aid.
- Remember, that for maximum scholarship and financial aid consideration, you must complete the FAFSA and the General Scholarship application by January 22, 2025.
List of Departmental Scholarships
Anderson-Tully Lumber Company Management Scholarship
Anderson-Tully Lumber Company, founded in 1889, is a large producer and distributor of high-quality FSC-certified hardwood lumber. Recipients of this scholarship are selected based on academic achievement, leadership qualities, and desire to pursue a career in the forest products industry.
Bryan W. Graeser Memorial Scholarship
Bryan Wingate Graeser was a student studying Wood Science and Forest Products when he died in 1998 from bone cancer. Hank and Peggy Graeser and family of Chester, VA., founded this scholarship in memory of Bryan. The scholarship was started in 1999 to assist other students in the department to realize their dreams. The Graesers hope that recipients will, in their own way, develop the qualities of perseverance, hope, and thankfulness that Bryan showed in his short time at Virginia Tech.
Center for Forest Products Business Scholarship
The Center for Forest Products Business was established in 1991 as a collaborative effort among the forest products industry, trade associations, state/federal government agencies, and Virginia Tech's Department of Wood Science and Forest Products to provide a competitive advantage for the forest products industry through supplying modern marketing and management information and training to students and industry personnel.
Danzer Group Scholarship
The Danzer Group Scholarship is intended to recognize, encourage, and provide financial assistance to outstanding students enrolled in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials who plan a career within the forest products industry. Recipients for the Keystone Veneers Scholarship can be selected from graduate or undergraduate students in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials based on academic achievement and/or potential for superior academic achievement and the desire to pursue a career in the forest products industry.
E.G. Stern and Marianne Stern and J. Stern Fromberg Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is in memory of E. George Stern, Marianne Stern and Jean Stern Fromberg. Dr. Stern was the former director of the Sardo Pallet and Container Research Laboratory at Virginia Tech. The late Jean Fromberg was the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Marianne Stern. The scholarship was endowed by Mrs. Stern, the Stern family, and friends of the family. The scholarship is awarded to deserving students in the department based on academic performance, financial need, and professional promise.
Frank Miller Lumber Company Freshman Scholarship
The Frank Miller Lumber Company Freshman Scholarship is intended to recruit and provide financial assistance to an outstanding student enrolling in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech and who plans to have a career in the forest products industry. The scholarship provides financial support to an outstanding freshman.
G. Scott Francis Scholarship
G. Scott Francis was the founder and president of the Carolina Paper Board Company. He was a 1936 graduate of Virginia Tech from the Department of Dairy Science. The scholarship provides support in the areas of paper, fiber, recycling, packaging, and unit load research and education.
George and Mary E. Ragsdale Scholarship
Awarded to undergraduate and graduate students based upon potential and interest in contributing to the forest industry.
Geza Ifju Scholarship in Wood Science and Forest Products
Dr. Geza Ifju was the founding department head of the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products. Family, friend, and alumni have provided contributions for this endowed scholarship in honor of Geza.
Hardwood Manufacturers Association Scholarship
The Hardwood Manufacturers Association Scholarship is intended to recognize, encourage, and provide financial assistant to an incoming freshman or sophomore majoring in forest products marketing.
Lora L. and Martin Kelley Family Scholarship
This scholarship was established by the Lora L. and Martin Kelley family and Center to support undergraduate students in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials who have demonstrated high academic achievement, a record of professional activities, and engagement in the university community.
Morgan Lumber Company Management Team Scholarship
Morgan Lumber Company is a privately held manufacturer of southern yellow pine lumber. The scholarship was endowed by the management team of Morgan Lumber Company to assist with the cost of tuition to an outstanding student in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. The recipient must have prior work experience, through a previous job, summer internship, or co-op. Preference will be given to students with experience in softwoods and solid wood products.
Morgan Lumber Company Scholarship - provided by the Virginia Forestry Educational Foundation
One per year, any option within the department, renewable. $1000/year. Morgan Lumber Company is a privately held manufacturer of southern yellow pine lumber. The scholarship provides financial support toward the cost of tuition to an outstanding student in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials. The recipient must have some type of prior work experience, through a previous job, summer internship, or co-op. Preference will be given to students with experience in softwoods and solid wood products.
Steven A. Sinclair Endowed Scholarship
Steven A. Sinclair was a professor with the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products and an internationally recognized leader in the field of Forest Products Marketing. Dr. Sinclair started the Forest Products Marketing Program at Virginia Tech in the early 1980s. Also, he initiated the Center for Forest Products Marketing and Management and served as the first Director. Upon his death in 1993, many friends, colleagues, former students, and Center for Forest Products Marketing and Management members contributed to a scholarship fund in Dr. Sinclair's name.
Victor Clay Barringer Endowed Scholarship
These scholarships are in honor of Victor Clay Barringer and given by Coastal Lumber Company, Inc. Victor Barringer founded Coastal Lumber Company in 1937; today it is one of the largest privately held forest products companies in the United States. Victor Barringer's father, Paul B. Barringer, was President of Virginia Tech from 1907 to 1913. Coastal Lumber Company is now guided by Victor Barringer's son, Paul B. Barringer II, Chairman and CEO, and his grandson, Victor C. Barringer II, Vice Chairman. The scholarships provide financial support to outstanding students in the Department of Sustainable Biomaterials.
Virginia Forest Products Association Scholarship
This scholarship is presented by the Virginia Forest Products Association, an industry group that supports forest products enterprises in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The scholarship provides financial support to a promising Sustainable Biomaterials student with an interest in working with the Virginia forest products industry.