Investing in Future Community Builders

Canfor has well-established scholarship programs and partnerships with local high schools and post-secondary institutions to support students with strong interest in the forest industry and wish to pursue a career in forestry by way of continued education. We also provide financial aid to students in other areas of studies related to our business, such as trades programs, environmental sciences, technology, finance, business and more.

Post Secondary Scholarships

We're proud to partner with post-secondary institutions to provide scholarships to students in forestry, wood products manufacturing and other forestry-related engineering and trades programs. These scholarships are managed directly by our partner institutions. For more information, please visit the following institutions online:

High school scholarships

Canfor is proud of our high school scholarship program that supports graduates from our operating communities who are entering post-secondary studies. Eligible students both in Canada and the U.S. who have met all of the award requirements can receive $1,000 to support their post-secondary education. It is our hope that this will lead to careers in the forest industry.

The following is a list of eligible cities in Canada and the U.S. for the high school scholarships. Consideration is provided to public and provincially- and state- funded independent high schools in the following Canfor operating communities:

Canada

  • • Burns Lake

    • Chetwynd

    • Clearwater

    • Cranbrook

    • Creston

    • Fernie

    • Fort St. James

    • Fort St. John

    • Fraser Lake

    • Houston

    • Invermere

    • Mackenzie

    • Prince George

    • Vanderhoof

  • • Grande Prairie

    • Whitecourt

    • Fox Creek

    • Acheson

U.S.A.

  • • Fulton

    • Jackson

    • Mobile

  • • El Dorado

    • Urbana

  • • Moultrie

    • Thomasville

    • Washington

  • • DeRidder

  • • Hermanville

  • • Graham

  • • Camden

    • Conway

    • Darlington

    • Marion

    • Myrtle Beach

High School Eligibility & Criteria

The student must be a permanent Canadian or U.S. citizen or resident of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina or South Carolina, live in the school catchment area and attend the high school making the scholarship award.

  • The student has applied for admission to one of the specified forestry, wood products manufacturing, forestry-related engineering or forest industry related trade studies post-secondary institution.

  • The student intends to pursue a career in the forest products industry.

Where there are multiple qualified applicants, children of Canfor employees shall have priority, with remaining scholarships awarded based on academic performance.

High School Scholarship Selection & Application Process

  • Step 1 - Student Nomination

    We rely on the high school scholarship committees to review student applications and recommend individuals.

  • Step 2 - Canfor review:

    We will review the students nominated by the schools to determine their eligibility. Students who are selected by Canfor to receive the award will be notified by their school and receive details about how to claim their award.

  • Step 3 - Scholarship application:

    Students who are selected by Canfor will need to complete an online application form and provide the following by the designated deadline to receive their award:

    • A short cover letter about your studies and why you’re interested in forestry
    • A copy of your registration in an eligible program
    • A copy of your receipts for first-semester tuition payment, books, supplies for the scholarship amount of up to $1,000

  • Step 4 - Receive $1,000 Award:

    Canfor will review all applications and a payment of the full scholarship will be awarded to eligible students who have met all requirements.

Eligible programs & studies

Scholarships are provided to students entering degree or trades foundation programs in areas identified by the company and where a possible skills shortage exists. Eligible applicants are those who identify their intent to pursue a career in the forestry industry and plan to enroll in one of these eligible programs:

    • Forestry

    • Wood products manufacturing

    • Process, mechanical, or chemical engineering programs

    • Finance

    • Business Management

    • Supply Chain Management

    • Communications

    • Human Resources

    • Information Technology Management

    • Certified Millwright

    • Certified Electrician

    • Certified Heavy-duty mechanic

    • Certified Instrument Mechanic

    • Certified Sawfiler / Benchman

    • Certified Pipefitter or Welder

  • Canfor and the BID Group of Companies co-sponsor a millwright foundation training scholarship in memory of millwright George Park Jr. who was killed in an accident at our Plateau Sawmill in Vanderhoof in 2012. The award is open to students in the Vanderhoof school catchment area, and is administered by the Nechako Valley High School in coordination with Canfor and the BID Group.

    Vanderhoof students interested in applying for this scholarship should contact their guidance counsellor.

  • For Children of Canfor Employees

    Bentley-Prentice Scholarship

    This scholarship commemorates the founders of our company and was established in 2013. It recognizes academic excellence among children of current Canfor employees who plan to pursue a career in forestry or a relevant trade.

    There are six scholarships available each year and will be divided across our operations, both in Canada and in the U.S. Students receiving these awards will receive a payment of up to $5,000 to cover the cost of first-term books and tuition. Recipients will not be eligible for any other Canfor scholarships in the same year.

    If you are a Canfor employee and have a child who may be eligible of the Bentley-Prentice Award, please contact your local HR rep for more information.

  • Awards for Indigenous Students

    New Relationship Trust Foundation (NRTF) Scholarships:

    These scholarships are administered by NRTF specifically for Indigenous students in Canfor’s operating communities. While Indigenous students are eligible in all other scholarship categories, Canfor’s partnership with NRFT provides dedicated support for Indigenous students entering our targeted education streams. Five (5) $2,000 bursaries will be awarded.

    How to Apply: This program is administered by the NRT. Those interested in applying should contact them directly.

    The awards are sponsored by Canfor, but are not directly administered through our Corporate Office.