Scholarships FAQs

When are the scholarship applications available?
How do I know if I'm eligible?
How much is the scholarship?
Is this scholarship renewable?
How are the funds disbursed?
What do you look for in a scholarship applicant?
Do I need to attend full-time or am I still eligible to receive the scholarship if I'm a part-time student?
How do I apply?
When is the scholarship application due?
When will I know if I receive a scholarship?
If I have more questions, whom do I talk to?
What if I'm already in college; who fills out the counselor/principal form?
Can remaining funds be disbursed directly to me if I graduate from college early?
I've decided to go on to graduate school. Can I "extend" my scholarship?
I've changed my program of study and I now need to go to school longer than originally planned. Can I "extend" my scholarship?

When are the scholarship applications available?
Applications are available between October 1 and January 31. You may print them from the Web site, pick one up from your high school counselor, or request an application by e-mailing foundation@potlatchcorp.com. Application requests sent to PFHE will only be honored between October 1 and January 31.

How do I know if I'm eligible?
You are eligible if you are a senior attending high school within 30 miles of a major facility of Potlatch Corporation or an undergraduate student currently attending an accredited institution of higher education whose permanent residence is within 30 miles of a qualifying Potlatch facility.. The qualifying facilities are in the following cities:

Arkansas: McGehee, Prescott, Warren
Idaho: Lewiston, Post Falls, St. Maries
Minnesota: Bemidji and Cloquet
Michigan: Gwinn

You must be qualified to attend an accredited college, university, or higher educational institution. An accredited school under this program is defined as a non-profit institution of higher learning located in the United States and listed in the Higher Education Directory, published by Higher Education Publications, Inc.

How much is the scholarship?
$1,400 per year.

Is this scholarship renewable?
Yes.

How are the funds disbursed?
The funds are disbursed to your college/university.

What do you look for in a scholarship applicant?
The trustees of the Potlatch Foundation for Higher Education (PFHE) select scholarship award recipients on the basis of financial need, character, leadership qualities, scholastic achievement and ability, and other criteria as they deem necessary.

Do I need to attend full-time or am I still eligible to receive the scholarship if I'm a part-time student?
You must attend full-time. Full-time status is defined by each individual college/university. If you decide to attend school part-time you can place your scholarship in deferral until you return to school on a full-time basis.

How do I apply?
Complete the application form and include:

The principal or counselor report, sealed in a confidential envelope
Two reference reports, sealed in the confidential envelopes
Your current official school transcript showing your cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale
If you are a high school senior, your SAT or ACT test scores included on the official transcript

When is the scholarship application due?
All applications materials must be received by the PFHE office on or before 5:00 p.m. FEBRUARY 10. Applications postmarked prior to February 10th but not received until after that date will NOT be considered. Give plenty of time for the mailing process.

When will I know if I receive a scholarship?
Winners will be announced in early May. Written notification will be sent to all applicants by May 15.

If I have more questions, whom do I talk to?
You can email your questions to foundation@potlatchcorp.com or you can call the administrator of the program, Sharon Pegau, at 509.835.1515.

What if I'm already in college; who fills out the counselor/principal form?
The reference forms are a very important piece of this application process. If you are already out of high school your college advisor can complete the counselor/principal form. If you do not have a college advisor, select a person who knows you and would be considered a prominent person (clergy, employer, professor, etc.)

Can remaining funds be disbursed directly to me if I graduate from college early?
No, funds cannot be given directly to the student. We applaud all those who achieve their goals early and wish them the best of success. Our program is set up to help students while they are attending school.

I've decided to go on to graduate school. Can I "extend" my scholarship?
No, our scholarship program is not applicable for someone going to graduate school.

I've changed my program of study and I now need to go to school longer than originally planned. Can I "extend" my scholarship?
Once awarded, scholarships with the Potlatch Foundation for Higher Education cannot be extended because the student's career/education plans have changed.

Have more questions?

Email foundation@potlatchcorp.com or call Sharon Pegau at 509.835.1515.