WAEF Scholarships - NordicBear Grant

WAEF Scholarships - NordicBear Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Washington Apple Education Foundation
Amount: US $1,000 - US $8,000
Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Summary

The WAEF Scholarships - NordicBear program supports students linked to the tree fruit industry, providing awards ranging from $1,000 to $8,000. Open to children of Northern Fruit employees, eligible applicants must have a parent with significant industry employment. Scholarships can be used for various accredited educational institutions in the U.S. Recipients may reapply for up to three additional years, promoting continued education and career development in this vital sector.

Overview

WAEF Scholarships The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) is supporting over 300 students this year with new and renewing scholarships. Funding for the awards was raised through voluntary contributions from members of the tree fruit industry and its suppliers and service providers. In total, this year’s scholarship recipients are receiving over $1 million in educational awards. Most students receiving WAEF scholarships share a common link of parent employment in the tree fruit industry. WAEF scholarship recipients are pursuing a wide variety of degrees and career paths. Awards may be used by their recipients at accredited two-year colleges, four-year public and private universities and technical/vocational colleges. Individual scholarships may have more specific qualifications. NordicBear Open to children of employees of Northern Fruit affiliated orchards (Zorro Blanco, Sun Valley, Kodiak, Lobo Rojo, or Chelan Red). Scholarship awards range from $1,000 to $8,000. The scholarship may be used for the recipient's educational expenses as a full-time student at a Washington state public community college, at a four-year accredited university or college in the United States, or at an accredited non-profit vocational/technical college. The number of awards will vary annually. Scholarship recipients may reapply for up to three additional undergraduate years. To be eligible: A parent must have worked at one of the affiliated orchards for at least 1,000 hours annually for the two most recent calendar years.Students should apply as High School seniors, or within two years of their graduation date, or as college students with one full-time academic year of experience.Recipients should be age 25 or younger and must be full-time college students (as defined by the institution).Applicants should have a 3.0 High School GPA or at least one full year of college work with a 3.0 GPA.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Universal Application:Current high school seniors and college students raised in families with direct ties to Washington’s tree fruit industry are eligible to apply. The Washington tree fruit industry includes apple, cherry, or pear orchards, warehouses, and affiliated businesses. Ties to the industry include personal or partner/guardian employment in the tree fruit industry, personal or parent/guardian ownership of an apple, cherry, or pear orchard or warehouse, or personal or parent/guardian employment in a company directly servicing the tree fruit industry.Vocational/Technical Application:Applicant must be a Washington state high school senior or current college student. The student's path of study should align with potential work in the tree fruit industry.Vocational programs include refrigeration, electrical, IT, computer applications, HVAC, machine technology, and others. A full list of eligible programs can be found on the application.