ATLANTA, Ga. - The deadline is quickly approaching to apply for the William L. Cullison Scholarship. This $4,000 scholarship provides an inviting incentive for students entering their third year of college to pursue an academic path related to this vital work.

Believing strongly that today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders, the TAPPI Foundation endowed the William L. Cullison Scholarship fund in honor of TAPPI's fifth Executive Director. Attracting talented young people to future careers in the pulp and paper, tissue, and corrugated container, or polymers, laminations, adhesives, coatings and extrusion industries is the cornerstone to building a highly skilled workforce and a technically advanced industry. These activities are made possible through the generous support of companies and individuals who share our vision for the future.

Potential candidates must meet all of the following criteria for eligibility:

• Candidates are undergraduate students with a major in a pulp and paper science course of study at a college or university. Many of these colleges and universities sponsor a TAPPI Student Chapter.

• Candidates must have completed at least one full undergraduate academic year of studies. Most candidates apply during the second semester of their second full academic year.

• Maintain a 3.5 grade point average or better (on a 4.0 scale) through the first two years in a four or five year program.

• Demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities.

• Demonstrate significant interest in the pulp and paper industry which could include listing previous, current or future industry internships.

• Financial need is not a requirement for eligibility.

All candidates will be notified of their application status by July 1. Scholarship funds are currently awarded in increments up to $4,000 per academic year for the last two years of a student's undergraduate program. For Juniors who are awarded the scholarship for both junior and senior year, the scholarship must be renewed for the second year by submitting an official transcript indicating that the recipient is pursuing courses in the pulp and paper curriculum and has maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale).

An additional benefit for Cullison scholarship winners is one year free full TAPPI membership as soon as the winner is employed in the industry. All student members of TAPPI receive a year of membership at the student rate once the student has become employed in the industries served by TAPPI after graduation.

To apply for the William L. Cullison Scholarship, applicants must send the following items to the TAPPI Awards Department no later than May 1 (for the scholarship to be awarded for the school year beginning the following September).

1. Completed W. L. Cullison Scholarship form

2. Official transcript of grades

3. List of all scholarships and dollar amounts already received

4. At least three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with your character, accomplishments, likelihood of success, and/or industry work experience (at least one recommendation letter must be written by an educator)