Plein Environmental Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by White House Farm Foundation
Plein Environmental Scholarship Fund — 2026–2027 (Summary and Instructions)
Overview
The Plein Environmental Scholarship Fund awards financial assistance to students with demonstrated need who are pursuing an undergraduate degree at a Virginia community college or a Virginia public university. Three scholarships are granted each academic year; each recipient will receive $5,000 applied for the Fall semester (award payments will be sent directly to the recipient’s school).
Eligible Institutions
To confirm which public universities are eligible, go to https://www.schev.edu/students/applying-forcollege/colleges-universities and select “Virginia Public Colleges and Universities.”
Who May Apply (Eligibility)
Applicants must meet one of the following:
- Be a high school senior graduating no later than June 2026 and planning to enroll at a Virginia community college or public university, or
- Be an undergraduate currently enrolled at a Virginia community college or public university.
Additional eligibility requirements:
- Enrollment or planned enrollment in an environmental-related undergraduate program. Examples include Environmental Science, Conservation, Forestry, Biology, Urban Planning, Economics, Public Policy, or similar majors. Applicants should be ready to describe how their chosen major will serve environmental goals.
- Demonstrated financial need, explained in a brief written statement.
- Submission of two short essays that clearly and persuasively explain the applicant’s reasons for pursuing an environmental field and how they intend to use their degree.
Required Application Materials (must be emailed)
All application packets must be received by April 24, 2026 and sent to: scholarship@whfarmfoundation.org
Include the following:
1. Completed application form
2. Environmental Service Resume (see details below)
3. Responses to the essay prompts (see word limits below)
4. Copy of your high school and/or college transcript (PDF; unofficial transcripts acceptable)
Transcripts
- Provide a PDF of your current high school transcript.
- If you are a college student, also include your current college transcript.
- Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Environmental Service Resume
Attach a brief resume listing activities that show your engagement with environmental learning and service. This does not need to be a formal employment resume—use it to highlight relevant coursework, volunteer work, extracurricular projects, community service, or independent/environmental projects that demonstrate your commitment.
Essay Prompts and Length Limits
1. Describe the moment or experience when you first became aware of a particular environmental issue. Explain how that moment influenced your choice to pursue a career in the environmental field. (Maximum 300 words)
2. Recount a time you had a respectful conversation with someone about an environmental topic. Did they share your perspective? Did your views change after the discussion? (Maximum 250 words)
Optional (not required):
- What is one environmental topic you believe is frequently overlooked? Why do you think it is neglected, and why should it receive more attention? (Maximum 500 words)
Selection Criteria and Timeline
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee that considers GPA, essay quality, and demonstrated financial need. Applicants will be informed of decisions by May 31, 2026. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the recipient’s institution in August 2026 for the Fall semester.
Contact / Submission Reminder
Deadline: April 24, 2026 (applications must be emailed to scholarship@whfarmfoundation.org)
Award notifications: by May 31, 2026
Payment to institutions: August 2026
If you have questions about eligibility or the application process, include them in an email to scholarship@whfarmfoundation.org.