Grey Towers Legacy Scholarship

Grey Towers National Historic Site was home to Gifford Pinchot, the first chief of the USDA Forest Service and two-term Pennsylvania Governor. Grey Towers is located in Milford, Pennsylvania and was constructed in 1886 by Gifford’s father, James W. Pinchot, a successful businessman and philanthropist.

During the early 20th century, Gifford and James used Grey Towers and the surrounding environs to develop conservation leaders and formulate conservation principles. Amos Pinchot, Cornelia Bryce Pinchot, and other Pinchot family members were equally active and made considerable contributions to women’s rights, civil rights, and labor reform movements.

In an effort to continue this Pinchot Legacy, the Grey Towers Legacy Scholarship was created to support the pursuit of new ideas, strategies, and solutions in the fields of natural resources, science, economics, ecology, education, and social sciences.

Make a difference. Contribute to the Grey Towers Legacy Scholarship Fund.

Eligible Applicants: The scholarship is open to graduating public high school seniors with a 2.5 GPA pursuing a career in natural resources, science, economics, ecology, social science, and/or education at an accredited 2-year or 4-year university, community college, or technical school. The selected student’s continuing education enrollment can be full-time or part-time. To apply, the student must currently attend a public high school in one of the following counties:

  • Pike County, Pennsylvania
  • Monroe County, Pennsylvania
  • Wayne County, Pennsylvania
  • Sussex County, New Jersey
  • Orange County, New York

The scholarship will also be open to graduating students currently attending a Forest Service operated Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center.

Amount: Three $3,000 scholarships will be awarded on a local, regional, and/or national level. One will be awarded to a student at Delaware Valley High School in Pennsylvania, and two will be awarded to students currently attending the twenty-three public high schools within the identified county limits and/or the twenty-four Forest Service operated Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers nationally.

Required Documents: Applicants must submit a completed application and one letter of support from an instructor. The final 36 applicants will be asked to submit a copy of their transcripts.

Optional Documents: Applicants may submit up to two additional letters of support from instructors and mentors.

Timeline: The application will open November 3, 2024, and close on February 2, 2025. Interviews will take place in late March 2025, and recipients will be notified April 1, 2025. Scholarships will be disbursed to institutions on May 1, 2025.

In accordance with Federal Law an US Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at https://www.usda.gov/oascr/home. From any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992 or by writing a letter addressed to USDA Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250-9410

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This Grey Towers Legacy Scholarship made possible through a grant partnership with the USDA Forest Service.

2024 Legacy Scholars

Hallie Balogh

Hallie Balogh will be attending The Hague

Ethan Hidalgo

Ethan Hidalgo will attend Yale University

Sydney Vierzchalek

Sydney Vierzchalek will be attending Sacred Heart University