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Wilderness and Civilization Program Scholarships

Generous donations enable the Wilderness Institute to offer scholarships for undergraduates pursuing the Wilderness Studies minor through the Wilderness and Civilization program. These awards support students in advancing their wilderness education while honoring the legacies of dedicated wilderness advocates.

General Eligibility (All Scholarships) 

To be considered for any of the scholarships listed below, students must: 

• Be currently enrolled at the 91´ÎÔª 
• Have been accepted, or be in the process of applying, to the Wilderness and Civilization program 

Note: Scholarships will not be awarded to students who are not accepted to or do not enroll in the program.

How to Apply (All Scholarships) 

1. Complete the general scholarship application in the UM Scholarship Portal. 
2. After submitting the general application, eligible students will see FCFC Conditional Applications in Recommended Opportunities. This is where you submit additional materials required for each scholarship (outlined below). 

Important: In the general application, when asked "Have you been accepted to the Wilderness Studies minor program?" you must answer YES, even if your application is still pending.

For more information, contact Andrea Stephens at andrea.stephens@mso.umt.edu or 406-243-6956.

Available Scholarships

Benjamin Rosenberg Cohen Scholarship

This scholarship was established in loving memory of Ben Cohen by his wife, Connie Cohen. Ben made significant contributions to the state of Montana throughout his life. After studying forestry and geology at UM, he worked as a wilderness guard in the Bitterroot National Forest and later as an engineer for the Forest Service in Whitefish. While living in Whitefish, Ben was elected to the Montana State House of Representatives, where he served four terms from 1984 to 1992. In addition to his public service, Ben owned and operated North Valley Refuse for twenty years, where he pioneered curbside trash and recycling collection in the Flathead Valley. An avid outdoorsman, Ben loved to ski, swim, hike, and play soccer and rugby. He contributed generously to Montana, his community, and his family.

Eligibility

• Undergraduate students
• Open to any major
• Must have demonstrated academic ability 

Additional Materials Required to Apply 

• A cover letter addressing your interest in this scholarship and your academic ability 

Jerry and Alice Craghead Wilderness Studies Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded based on the eligibility criteria outlined below.

Eligibility 

• Preference is given to undergraduate students
• Major in the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation 
• Preference is given to applicants with experience as wilderness rangers in U.S. Forest Service Region 2 
• If no qualified undergraduates apply, the award may be given to a graduate student conducting wilderness-related research 

Samuel Cooper Howell Sylvester Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in loving memory of Sam Sylvester by his parents, Scott Sylvester and Tori Howell-Sylvester. Sam was a student in the 2007–08 Wilderness and Civilization program and tragically drowned in the Kootenai River in the summer of 2008. He was active in UM’s forestry club and the woodsman’s team, and he had an abiding interest in primitive skills and backcountry exploration. Sam was deeply passionate about the environment and wilderness protection.

Eligibility 

• Open to undergraduate students only

Additional Materials Required to Apply 

• Cover letter explicitly addressing your interest in the scholarship and your interests in primitive skills, backcountry exploration, and/or wilderness studies
• Contact information for two references who can speak to your character and wilderness interests 

Worf Family Memorial Wilderness Scholarship

This scholarship was originally established in 1996 by William A. and Eva Jean Worf in memory of their sons, Gary and Keith. Wilderness Watch and other supporters also contributed to the fund. Gary and Keith died in separate accidents—Gary in 1980 and Keith in 1993. According to their father, “Both Gary and Keith held a deep respect for nature in general and wilderness in particular.”

Eva Jean, who shared this family passion for wilderness, passed away in 2005. In her memory, the scholarship was renamed in 2007 as the Worf Family Memorial Wilderness Scholarship. Bill Worf is a 1950 graduate of the UM School of Forestry and one of three founders of Wilderness Watch, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving America’s wilderness and wild and scenic rivers.

Eligibility 

• Open to incoming, current, or former undergraduate students in the Wilderness and Civilization Program
• Major in the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation
• Preference is given to students who demonstrate financial need 

Additional Materials Required to Apply 

• A one-page essay about the public value and importance of the National Wilderness Preservation System
• Two letters of recommendation. One letter must be from a university-level faculty member. 

Additional Funding Sources

The following are not specific to the Wilderness and Civilization program. 

Davidson Honors College General Scholarship

This scholarship provides funding for undergraduate students in the Davidson Honors College with a 3.4 GPA or higher. Follow the instructions on the DHC webpage. 

Experiential Learning Scholarship

Experiential Learning Scholarship through the Experiential Learning and Career Success (ELCS) office on campus. Please carefully read the application instructions and familiarize yourself with the various time periods during which ELCS accepts applications.

Franke Global Leadership Initiative

Franke Global Leadership Initiative (GLI) scholarship funds can be used towards our program if you are approved to have Wilderness and Civilization counted towards the GLI Beyond the Classroom Experience. Communicate with GLI Director Gillian Glaes for more information about this option.