WAEF Scholarships - Phil Jenkins Memorial + POM Club Grant

WAEF Scholarships - Phil Jenkins Memorial + POM Club Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Washington Apple Education Foundation
Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Summary

The WAEF Scholarships, supported by the Washington Apple Education Foundation, aim to assist over 300 students this year with more than $1 million in educational awards. These scholarships primarily target high school seniors and college students with ties to Washington's tree fruit industry. In memory of Phil Jenkins, a respected advisor in the industry, the scholarship encourages candidates from the Yakima Valley to pursue careers in this field.

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. Phil Jenkins Memorial + POM Club Phil Jenkins was a trusted advisor for many Yakima Valley fruit growers, giving freely of his knowledge and experience. He was an authority and valued resource on choosing the right land for fruit production, varieties, new orchard planting, grafting, pruning, chemical thinning, pest control, weed control, growth regulators and initial propagation of new varieties. Mr. Jenkins taught numerous classes at Yakima Valley Community College, wrote several publications, and provided guest lectures at Washington State University. The scholarship in his memory was created by his industry friends at the Yakima Pomological Club at the time that he passed in 1980. Scholarship candidates are those from the Yakima valley that plan to return to the Yakima valley and work in the tree fruit industry.

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.Additionally, students with a desire to pursue a degree to work for Washington’s tree fruit industry after graduation may also qualify. If the applicant does not have existing ties to the tree fruit industry, the applicant must want to pursue a degree and career aligned with work in the tree fruit industry to qualify. 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.