The Oregon APWA Scholastic Foundation offers a variety of scholarships intended to promote and expand educational opportunities and vocational skills in public works and to support the development of public works professionals. This web page provides detailed information about the specific scholarship opportunities as well as application forms for community colleges and four-year universities. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
For more information contact the Chapter Scholarship Committee.
SUBMITTAL DEADLINE FOR 2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR:
FEBRUARY 23, 2024
For the 2024-2025 school year, the Scholastic Foundation offers 22 scholarships totaling $38,000 at the following colleges and universities:
School-Specific Scholarship |
Rotating Scholarships |
| School | Scholarship | Amount |
| Portland State University | APAOEF/APWA Civil Engineering Scholarship #1 | $2,500 |
| George Fox University | APAOEF/APWA Civil Engineering Scholarship #2 | $2,500 |
| Southwestern OR Community College | Past Presidents Scholarship | $1,500 |
| Portland State University | Veterans Scholarship | $1,500 |
Minimum Eligibility Requirements for ALL Scholarships
- Full-time students enrolled in a program associated with the education and/or career goals identified in the scholarship’s application.
- US citizen or legal US resident
- Demonstrated financial need
- Course work must be taken at the school where the scholarship is awarded
Additional Requirements for the Community College Scholarships
- Completed at least 36 credits and the first three quarters of their program
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Two-year resident of Oregon
Additional Requirements for the Four-Year University Scholarships
- Enrolled as a junior or senior for the given school year of award
- Four-year resident of Oregon
Additional Requirements for the Michael Lindberg Scholarship
- Enrolled as a graduate student working toward a Master’s degree or Doctorate in Public Administration or Urban Studies in PSU’s College of Urban and Public Affairs
- Completed 30 credits within the MPA program
- Interested in pursuing a career in public works administration
Additional Requirements for the APAO/APWA Joint Scholarships
- These are rotating scholarships that will be assigned to different schools each year.
- Enrolled as a junior or senior for the given school year of award
- Four-year resident of Oregon
Additional Requirements for the Past Presidents & Veteran’s Scholarships
- These are rotating scholarships that will be assigned to different schools each year.
- When the scholarship is assigned to a community college, the additional scholarship requirements will match those of Portland Community College.
- When the scholarship is at a four-year university, the additional requirements will match those of the Oregon Institute of Technology’s scholarship.
For Veteran’s Scholarship Only, the Following Requirements Apply
- Currently on active military duty, or
- Currently part of a military Reserve unit, or
- Retired or discharged, with honor, from the military
Selection Process and Procedure
Application packets are submitted directly to the school where the student will be completing their course work. See specific applications for detailed procedural information. The school reviews the application packets and provides the Foundation with their recommendation of who the recipient should be. The Foundation then reviews the recommendations prior to finalizing the scholarship recipients.
Detailed Scholarship Information
School-Specific Scholarships
Name: Civil Engineering Transfer or GIS Scholarship
School: Clackamas Community College
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist Clackamas Community College students who are interested in pursuing a career in public works with a focus on civil engineering or GIS.
Name: Dan Boss Drinking Water or Wastewater Scholarship
School: Clackamas Community College
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist Clackamas Community College students who are interested in pursuing a career in public works with a focus on drinking water or wastewater.
Name: Civil Engineering Scholarship
School: George Fox University
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist George Fox University students who are interested in pursuing a career in public works with a focus on civil engineering.
Name: Merle Langley Memorial Scholarship
School: Portland Community College
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist students who are interested in pursuing a career in public works with a focus on civil engineering.
Background: This scholarship was established in memory of Merle Langley. Mr. Langley was a founding member of the Oregon Chapter APWA and instrumental in establishing the scholarship program we have today.
Name: Civil Engineering Scholarship
School: Oregon Institute of Technology
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist Oregon Institute of Technology students who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of public works with a focus on civil engineering.
Name: Dave Vargas Memorial Scholarship
School: Oregon Institute of Technology
Purpose: This scholarship was established in memory of Dave Vargas. Mr. Vargas was committed to the public works profession. He was the last surviving founding member of the Oregon Chapter APWA when he passed away in 2017 at the age of 78.
Name: Civil Engineering / Geomatics Scholarship
School: Oregon State University
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist students who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of public works with a focus on civil engineering or geomatics.
Name: Allen A. Alsing Civil Engineering Scholarship
School: Oregon State University
Purpose: To recognize Allen Alsing and his support of and contributions to the public works industry and honors his support of students with career goals in the field of public works.
Background: Allen A. Alsing graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in civil engineering, spent his career in public works in Oregon, and retired as a city public works director. He was a long-time member of the Oregon Chapter of APWA.
Name: Ron Polvi Civil Engineering/Sustainability Scholarship
School: Oregon State University
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist Oregon State University students who are interested in pursuing a career in public works with a focus on civil engineering or sustainability.
Background: Ron Polvi is a long-time member of APWA and served as president of the Oregon Chapter and as a member of the Scholastic Foundation Board of Directors
Name: Kurt Corey Tribute Scholarship
School: Oregon State University
Purpose: To recognize Kurt Corey and his support of Oregon State University students with career goals in the field of public works.
Background: Kurt served as the Public Works Director at the City of Eugene for 16 years and was known nationally for his work with APWA. Kurt was an active member of the association which, in 2006, named him one of its top 10 leaders in the nation. The following year, he served as Oregon’s Chapter President and in 2010, he received the chapter’s highest honor, the Bowes Award. He was passionate about excellent service delivery. In 2004 he championed APWA’s accreditation of Eugene Public Works, one of the first public agencies in the nation to earn this recognition. He was a great leader and friend who exemplified the public works profession through his dedication to the community and a deep sense of caring for his employees. Simply put, Kurt made a difference – to his community, his colleagues, and his friends.
Name: Don and Cathy Schut Civil Engineering/Environmental Engineering Scholarship
School: Oregon State University
Purpose: To recognize Don and his wife Cathy’s support of and contributions to the public works industry and honor their commitment to support Oregon State University students with career goals in the field of public works.
Background: Don Schut graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Civil Engineering, spent his career in public works in Oregon, and retired as a city public works director. He was a longtime member of the Oregon Chapter and was instrumental in establishing the scholarship program we have today.
Name: Civil Engineering Technology or Civil Engineering Transfer Program Scholarship
School: Portland Community College
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist Portland Community College students who are interested in pursuing a career in public works with a focus on civil engineering.
Name: Civil Engineering / Geomatics / Geotechnical Scholarship
School: Portland State University
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist Portland State University students who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of public works.
Name: Michael Lindberg Scholarship
School: Portland State University
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist Portland State University students who are interested in pursuing a career in Public Works Administration.
Background: Michael Lindberg was a former Portland City Commissioner and this scholarship was established to support masters and doctorate students enrolled in the Public Administration or Urban Studies programs in the College of Urban and Public Affairs.
Name: Forestry, Natural Resources or Associate of Science Oregon Transfer Degree Program Scholarship
School: Southwestern Oregon Community College
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist Southwestern Oregon Community College students who are interested in pursuing a career in Forestry or Natural Resources, or the field of public works.
Name: Civil Engineering Technology or Civil Engineering Transfer Program Scholarship
School: Umpqua Community College
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist Umpqua Community College students who are interested in pursuing a career in civil engineering or in field of public works.
Name: Civil Engineering Scholarship
School: University of Portland
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist students at the University of Portland who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of public works.
Name: Les Lyle Memorial Scholarship
School: Central Oregon Community College
Purpose: To recognize and financially assist students who are interested in pursuing a career in civil engineering or in the field of public works.
Background: This scholarship has been established in memory of Les Lyle, who attended Blue Mountain Community College, obtained a degree in civil engineering from Oregon State University, and went on to become City Engineer of Eugene, Oregon.
Rotating Scholarships
Name: Veterans of the United States Military Commemorative Scholarship
School: Rotates
Purpose: To assist students who are interested in pursuing an education that leads towards a career in the field of public works.
Background: The Veterans of the United States Military Commemorative Scholarship recognizes those who have honorably served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, National Guard, Marines, or Coast Guard.
Name: Past Presidents Scholarship
School: Rotates
Purpose: To assist students who are interested in pursuing an education that leads towards a career in the field of public works.
Background: This scholarship is funded by past presidents of the chapter.
Name: APAOEF/APWA Civil Engineering Scholarships (two scholarships annually)
School: Rotates
Purpose: The Asphalt Pavement Association of Oregon Education Foundation, Inc. (“APAOEF”), and the APWA Oregon Chapter Scholastic Foundation (“APWA”), believe that transportation infrastructure is often overlooked, although it is vitally important to our economy and way of life. Each year, two scholarships are awarded with the intention of supporting students who recognize the importance of transportation infrastructure and spread the word to other civil engineering students.