NGC College Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by National Garden Clubs
Overview
NGC administers a college scholarship program that provides financial support to students pursuing studies related to horticulture, landscape design, environmental science, and allied fields. The program is intended to help prepare students for careers connected to gardening, conservation, and environmental management. Applicants are encouraged to consult their state garden club federation websites for additional scholarship opportunities and guidance. The program emphasizes accessibility and equal opportunity for qualified candidates.
- Scholarships target horticulture- and environment-related fields.
- Primary purpose is career preparation in gardening and environmental disciplines.
- State garden club federations may offer additional opportunities.
Details of the Award
The number and value of awards are determined annually, with up to 45 scholarships available each year. Individual scholarships may be awarded for one academic year and provide up to $4,000 per recipient. Awards are open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students; sophomores may apply for support to be used in their junior year. Colleges and universities must be accredited and listed on the U.S. Department of Education accreditation site to qualify.
Award Value: Up to $4,000 per one-year scholarship; total number of awards set annually.
Description: One-year awards for upper-level undergraduates and graduate students attending accredited institutions.
Accreditation: Institution must be listed on the U.S. Department of Education accreditation search: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx
- Up to 45 scholarships awarded each year; amount up to $4,000 each.
- One-year awards for juniors, seniors, and graduate students; sophomores may apply for junior year.
- Recipient’s institution must be accredited and listed on the U.S. Department of Education site.
Applicant Eligibility
Eligibility is based on citizenship or permanent residency, academic standing, enrollment status, and chosen field of study. Certain applicants are explicitly ineligible, including international or foreign exchange students and some doctoral candidates unless specifically approved. Full-time enrollment requirements differ by level: undergraduates must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 graded hours and graduate students for a minimum of 6 graded hours. Applicants must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 on a 4.0 scale and plan a career related to gardening, horticulture, landscape design, floral design, or environmental issues.
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents; minimum 3.25 GPA; full-time enrollment as defined by NGC; prior applicants may reapply.
Ineligible: International/foreign exchange students, most doctoral students (unless approved), Scholarship Chairman, and study-abroad on fellowships/internships.
Eligible fields:
- Agronomy
- Agriculture
- Education
- Floriculture
- Horticulture
- Landscape Design
- Botany/Biology
- Forestry
- Wildlife Science
- Plant Pathology/Science
- City (Rural & Urban) Planning
- Habitat or Forest/Systems Ecology
- Environmental Concerns and Resource/Environmental Behavior
- Environmental Conservation (including related engineering, law, etc.)
- Land Management and related or allied subjects
- Applicants must meet citizenship/residency, GPA, and enrollment requirements.
- Certain categories (international students, most doctoral students) are not eligible.
- Wide range of horticulture- and environment-related majors are accepted.
Selection Criteria
Applications are first reviewed at the state level, where one winner per state is selected (two winners for states with 8,000+ membership), and then forwarded to the NGC Scholarship Committee for national judging after the March deadline. The national committee comprises the NGC Scholarship Chairman and the eight Regional Directors; final judging occurs prior to the annual NGC Convention. Winners are announced at the Convention, and all applicants are notified in writing by NGC Headquarters following the event. Evaluation uses a weighted point scale to assess academic record, personal statement, activities, financial need, recommendations, and conformance.
Selection Process: State-level judging produces nominees; the NGC Scholarship Committee completes final evaluation and announces winners at the annual Convention.
Evaluation scale (sample): Academic Record 40%; Applicant’s Letter 25%; Activities/Work Experience 13%; Financial Need 15%; Recommendations 5%; Conformance 2%.
Application Timeline: State judging precedes the March national deadline; final judging occurs before the NGC Convention; winners are announced during the Convention and recipients are notified in writing afterward.
- State-level winners are advanced to national judging by the NGC Scholarship Committee.
- Judging uses a weighted point scale emphasizing academics and the applicant’s letter.
- Final decisions are made prior to the annual Convention; winners are announced at the Convention.