Randall Mathis Scholarship for Environmental Studies

Scholarship Sponsored by Arkansas Environmental Federation

Description
**Purpose and scope.** The Arkansas Environmental Federation (AEF) Public Education programs connect students to applied environmental work across Arkansas and provide convention-based learning opportunities such as field-based industry experiences and student meetings. The program is managed by AEF’s Public Education Committee and supported by member contributions that expand programming each year. Scholarships under this program support students at undergraduate, graduate, and law levels who are pursuing environmental and related fields.

Key takeaways:
- Connects students to real-world environmental work and convention programming.
- Managed and expanded by AEF’s Public Education Committee and supporters.
- Open to undergraduate, graduate, and law students in environmental or related majors.

History of the Award
**Origins and honorees.** AEF’s public education efforts began in 1974 and have supported environmental education for nearly five decades, serving audiences from junior high students to college faculty. Over that time, funds have been raised annually to support students pursuing environmental studies. Two named scholarships honor leaders in Arkansas environmental management: the Randall Mathis Scholarship (in honor of Randall Mathis, former director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality) and the Randy Thurman Scholarship (named for a longtime director of the Arkansas Environmental Federation).

Key takeaways:
- Public education programs started in 1974.
- Nearly 50 years of fundraising and student support.
- Scholarships named for Randall Mathis and Randy Thurman.

Eligibility
**Who qualifies and academic requirements.** Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are currently enrolled full time as undergraduate, graduate, or law students and either attend an Arkansas university/law school or graduated from an Arkansas high school. Applicants must have completed at least 40 credit hours at the time of application and hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale. Two letters of recommendation are required; at least one must come from a faculty member in the applicant’s current program and letters should address scholastic and personal attributes.

**Acceptable fields of study.** Eligible majors include environmental and related disciplines such as Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Forestry, Geology, Fisheries and Wildlife Biology, Biology, Civil or Chemical Engineering with environmental emphasis, Wildlife Management, and agricultural programs with an environmental emphasis.

Key takeaways:
- U.S. citizens who are full-time students with Arkansas ties are eligible.
- Minimum 40 credits completed and 2.8+ GPA required.
- Two recommendation letters required, one from a faculty member.
- Broad set of qualifying environmental and related majors accepted.

Award Value and Funding
**Amount and funding sources.** Scholarships are awarded from AEF’s Public Education Program Fund and the Endowment for the Randall Mathis Scholarship for Environmental Studies. Member donations to these funds make awards possible. AEF typically awards scholarships up to $2,500 each year to deserving student(s).

Key takeaways:
- Funding comes from the Public Education Program Fund and the Randall Mathis endowment.
- Member donations enable the awards.
- Scholarships can be awarded up to $2,500 annually.

Application Process
**Required materials and submission.** Candidates must complete the AEF application survey and submit current official transcripts and the required letters of recommendation. Ensure transcripts are current and that recommendation letters address scholastic and personal qualities; at least one recommender should be a faculty member in the applicant’s program. Follow the application survey instructions for file formats and upload procedures.

Key takeaways:
- Complete the AEF application survey to apply.
- Submit current official transcripts and two recommendation letters.
- At least one recommendation must be from current program faculty.

Selection Process and Notification
**How recipients are chosen.** An AEF member committee reviews applications and makes the scholarship selections. Representatives of the Federation may interview candidates as part of the review process. Final recipients are notified following the committee’s decision.

Key takeaways:
- Selections made by a committee of AEF members.
- Candidate interviews may occur during review.
- Recipients are notified after committee decisions are finalized.

Application Timeline
**Current cycle and award presentation.** Applications for AEF’s 2026 student scholarship program are now open. The scholarship recipients are announced and the awards presented during AEF’s Annual Convention in October. Applicants should submit complete materials as early as possible to allow time for review and potential interviews.

Key takeaways:
- 2026 scholarship applications are currently open.
- Awards are presented at AEF’s Annual Convention in October.
- Apply early to accommodate review and interview scheduling.