ISA Certified Arborist Scholarship

Scholarships for Underserved Arborists to become an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Certified Arborist

​The Minnesota Society of Arboriculture and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources recognize that there are significant challenges to becoming eligible to take the exam, and we hope to reduce the financial barrier when it comes to becoming and ISA Certified Arborist.

This scholarship is focused assisting in becoming an ISA Certified Arborist to those who are considered under-represented in the industry in Minnesota.  This includes: 

  • Black, Indigenous, Person of Color
  • LGBTQI
  • Disability status
  • Veteran
  • Low-income
  • Woman​
  • Non-binary
  • Previously incarcerated
  • Living outside of the 7-county metro area

Scholarship funds can cover:

  • Exam fee,
  • Computer-based testing administrative fee, and the
  • Arborists’ Certification Study Guide ​
  • Education courses
  • Scholarship funds cannot cover a membership fee.

Scholarships will be offered on a first-come first-serve basis. You will only receive reimbursement once you submit receipts for your expenses and:

  • Submission proof of having passed the exam will lead to a full reimbursement.
  • ​Submission proof of a failed exam will lead to a reimbursement of only the study guide.​

Please note that you must separately apply to ISA in order to be eligible to take the exam. You must also register for the exam on your own in advance. This form only has the potential to make you eligible for reimbursement of costs to study for and take the exam.

What to expect:

Application process & timeline:
​​Please note that you must separately apply to ISA in order to be eligible to take the exam. You must also register for the exam on your own in advance. This form only has the potential to make you eligible for reimbursement of costs to study for and take the exam.

  • ​Please submit completed application forms to: msa@msa-live.org
  • Applications received within a calendar month will be reviewed on a first- come first-serve basis.
  • Confirmation emails to approved and disapproved applicants will be sent between by the 15th of the following month. For example, an application received September 2022, will receive a confirmation email by October 15, 2022.​

Reimbursement process & timeline:
​If approved, and once you have taken and passed the exam, you will need to submit all necessary paperwork for reimbursement. Reimbursement paperwork must include:​

  • Receipts for any purchases requested in the reimbursement
  • Proof of passing ISA Certified Arborist exam
  • Reimbursement applications submitted by the 15th of a month will be reviewed, and MSA will mail reimbursement checks to approved applicants within 6-8 weeks.​