Category Archives: Scholarships

PGMS Scholarship Application Due January 15, 2025

The (PGMS) Professional Grounds Management Society’s 2025 Student Scholarship application has opened! Applications will be accepted through January 15, 2025. They will be awarding $10,000 in scholarship funds this year, so I encourage any eligible student to apply for this particular opportunity. The full list of requirements for the application can be found on the website (link above). As a reminder, all applications must include a letter of recommendation specifically from a PGMS member. If you are a student at the NOVA Horticulture Program consider reaching out to Program Head Anders Vidstrand (avidstrand@nvcc.edu) to see if he would be willing to sponsor you. Applicants are not required to be student members of PGMS.

If you should have any questions about PGMS, don’t hesitate to reach out to Lisa Davidson, QAS, MBA Director of Membership
Professional Grounds Management Society®
2331 Rock Spring Road | Forest Hill, MD 21050
P: 443.966.3852 x1107 | F: 443.640.1031
info@pgms.org | www.pgms.org

National Capital Area Garden Club Scholarships

National Capital Area Garden Club, Inc. has offered college scholarships since 1972 to students who meet the following three requirements:

  • Majoring in: Horticulture, Botany, City Planning, Conservation, Landscape Design, Plant Pathology, Forestry, Environmental areas or Biology as it relates to the previous subjects.
  • 3.0 or higher GPA
  • Permanent address is within the National Capital Area including: Washington DC, Montgomery and Prince Georges County in Maryland, and Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax and Prince William Counties in Virginia

High school seniors planning to attend 2 and 4 year colleges, current college students and graduate students are all eligible.

All application materials are due by February 1, 2025. Scholarship requirements and application forms can be found on the website https://ncagardenclubs.org/scholarships/.

The minimum award is $3000. Students reapply each year and there is potential for additional money from our regional and national partners.

Application Deadline is February 1st

 

 

Loudoun County Master Gardeners Association New Scholarship for NOVA Horticulture Students

LCMGA Horticulture Scholarship

The Loudoun County Master Gardeners Association scholarship annually awards a $1,000 scholarship to encourage students to focus on horticulture-related studies in college. This includes horticulture, landscape design, environmental science related to agriculture, plant sciences or soil sciences.

Applicants must be a resident of Northern Virginia who are currently attending NOVA Loudoun Campus, priority may be given to Loudoun County residents.

Applicants shall complete an application form highlighting why this scholarship is sought, their academic and extra-curricular accomplishments, evidence of current employment or volunteer work for the community, and career plans.

Both Full time and part time students may apply.

In addition, applicants shall provide:

  • A transcript showing a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or equivalent.
  • A letter of recommendation from a faculty member
  • A one- or two-page personal essay describing you educational and career goals in the field of horticulture or related industries. This can include any current work experience in the field or other related information about how this scholarship will impact your goals along with any accomplishments you feel we should consider.

The Application form is attached: NOVA Scholarship Application LCMGA  see instructions for the application process at the end of the form.

NOVA Scholarship Application LCMGA

https://loudouncountymastergardeners.org/

Loudoun County Master Gardeners

Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts- Scholarships

College Scholarships for Conservation and the Environment | Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (fairfaxcounty.gov)

The Educational Foundation of the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annually offers several $2,000 scholarships to Virginia residents and full-time students enrolled in or who have applied to a college freshman-level curriculum. These scholarships support students with an interest in studies related to natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies.

We appreciate your assistance in spreading the word to interested students. The application and all accompanying documents must be received at our office by April 1, 2024. Students submit their scholarship applications to their local soil and water conservation district, as determined by the student’s residence. The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District includes all residents of Fairfax County. Each of Virginia’s 47 conservation districts may choose one student to nominate for consideration by the state committee.

The address for the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is:

VASWCD Scholarship
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 905
Fairfax, VA 22035

Applications will be reviewed by evaluation panels, and all applications and information contained therein shall remain confidential.

Full application is also located here:SWCDScholarshipApplication2024

Urban Forestry Student Scholarships

These scholarships just in from our friends at Fairfax County! Some great scholarship opportunities from Trees Virginia:

Visit the Trees Virginia Website to apply today.

To access the online application directly click here.

Our mission is to enhance the ranks of future urban forestry professionals by providing financial assistance to students studying urban forestry and related curricula at Virginia colleges and universities. The scholarships are awarded to applicants who best demonstrate financial need, academic excellence, and a clear commitment to a career related to urban forestry.

Eligibility Requirements

·    Currently enrolled at a Virginia community college, college or university

·    Majoring in urban forestry or a related discipline (forestry, horticulture, environmental science, biology, landscape architecture, geography. urban planning)

·    Successfully completed one academic year of courses (graduate students are exempt from this requirement)

·    Possess an overall GPA of 2.5 or greater

Awards

·    One Graduate (Master’s or Doctor’s) – $2,800.00

·    Two Undergraduate – $2,100.00 each

·    Two Associates – $1,100.00 each

Trees Virginia is currently accepting applications until:

Friday, April 5, 2024

Val and Bill Tillett Scholarship- Deadline Extended!

Important Update: The deadline for the Val and Bill Tillet Scholarship has been extended until May 1st, 2024 due to a lack of applicants! Please reach out to Anders or Sue for a letter of recommendation and get your application in for consideration.

This is a wonderful scholarship opportunity that was set up by  NOVA Horticulture Alumni (read more about them here: Val and Bill Tillet Scholarship Announcement) and is specifically for current students in the NOVA Horticulture Program. The scholarship is potentially renewable as well.

The  Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties has opened up their 2024 Scholarship Application process, and that they are now accepting applications for the Val and Bill Tillett Scholarship for students enrolled in the NVCC Horticulture program. Applications are due by May 1, 2024.

Students may find information and application instructions here:  https://communityfoundationlf.org/students/

Also, below a list of all scholarship opportunities, including the Val and Bill Tillett Scholarship, and their Universal Scholarship Application Form.

CF Scholarship Listing 2024

2024 CF Universal Scholarship Application – Fillable PDF

Shenandoah District Community College Scholarship

Another great scholarship opportunity! Applications are due March 1, 2024.

The Shenandoah District Community College Scholarship will offer financial aid in the amount of $1,000 to a full-time rising second year student of an accredited Community College in Shenandoah District, Virginia. Career goals must demonstrate objectives that are garden related.

You must be a resident of Virginia, and preference is given to those residing in the Shenandoah district (but this is not a requirement).

Full Scholarship Application is here:

SD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM-2023

SDSCHOLARSHIP-Guidelines 2023

More information is here: https://shenandoahdistrict.com/scholarship

The Applicant shall:
a. Be a resident of Virginia – preferably residing in Shenandoah District
b. Obtain Scholarship application(s) from the VFGC Website – Shenandoah Link
c. Be a full time student/applicant
d. Submit 3 letters of recommendation, one from an Instructor in applicant’s major
e. Major in: Agriculture Education, Horticulture, Floriculture, Landscape Design, Botany, Plant Pathology/Science, Forestry, Agronomy, Environmental Concerns, Environmental Conservation, Habitat or Forest/Systems Ecology, Land Management and/or other garden related or allied subjects

More about the organization is here: https://shenandoahdistrict.com/

 

PGMS DC Branch Scholarship

PGMS DC Branch Scholarship Application!

A great scholarship that our students have received. At least one $1500 scholarship will be awarded. Application is due March 1, 2024.

The mission of the Professional Grounds Management Society, D.C. Branch, https://pgms.org/page/DistrictofColumbiaBranch is to foster integrity and excellence in grounds management by promoting professional development through education programs, networking, community service, and fellowship. As part of this effort, the D.C. Branch offers a scholarship to those interested in pursuing higher education in a horticulturally-related field.

Offered annually, our scholarship provides financial aid to students currently studying landscape and grounds management, arboriculture, turf management, irrigation technology, or a closely related field.

Many of our past scholarship winners have gone on to be leaders in our industry and we encourage our members to sponsor a student’s application.

At least one scholarship of $1500 will be awarded. Other scholarship awards are at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee

The top recipient will receive complimentary student membership to PGMS for one year and have the opportunity to attend the Green Industry Seminar and the Green Industry Field Day. PGMS will pay for the scholarship recipients’ seminar and field day registration.

Please share the application with anyone whom you think may be interested or reach out to any Board member with any questions!

Here is the link to the the Application:

PGMS DC Branch Full Application

 

Nova Partnership Provides Support for Dreamers. Scholarship App Opens Today

Originally Submitted to the Daily Flyer by: Debbie Wyne, Interim AVP of Enrollment Svcs, DWyne@nvcc.edu

TheDream.US is more than just a scholarship program for students wishing to attend college. TheDream.US is an organization that also provides college and career guidance to undocumented immigrant students, also known as Dreamers, who attend one of more than 80 partner colleges.

NOVA came on board as a partner college early in the growth of this organization. This partnership has allowed for more than 100 undocumented students (with or without DACA or TPS) to attend NOVA over the past nine years, with many of those students later transferring to George Mason University and other partner colleges. These scholars have been supported by NOVA’s Monica Gomez (LO), a longtime NOVA employee who was designated as the scholar advisor to these scholarship recipients. Monica’s role is to support and assist them in planning their degrees at NOVA. She also serves as the liaison between TheDream.US and NOVA to ensure that the college receives the students’ funds to cover their tuition and fees each semester. The scholarship is open to students who:

  • Came to the U.S. before November 1, 2018, and are undocumented,
  • Entered the U.S. before the age of 16,
  • Have significant unmet financial need,
  • Have graduated or will graduate from a U.S. high school,
  • Graduated with GPA of 2.5 or higher,
  • Are eligible for in-state tuition, and
  • Intend to enroll full time in an associate or bachelor’s degree program.

The application cycle is open beginning today, November 1, and runs through February 29, 2024. Students will be notified in late April 2024 if they were selected as a recipient of the scholarship. Students can find more information about the scholarship at www.thedream.us.

Student Success Funds Available Beginning Today

Originally submitted to the Daily Flyer by Jenn Bristow, Development Manager, NOVA Foundation, JBristow@nvcc.edu

NOVA and the NOVA Educational Foundation are pleased to announce the new Student Success Fund, available today! This important fund was established to assist students facing unexpected emergency expenses that would otherwise force them to stop out or drop out from their educational journey.

The NOVA Foundation has invested $250,000 in this inaugural year. Students in need can apply for support through this portal. All applications will go through blind review so students’ personal circumstances can remain anonymous. The portal will remain open to receive applications through the academic year as long as funds are available.

Students can apply for one of two categories of support:

Student Success Emergency Grants
Emergency grants are just-in-time funding for NOVA students who experience a sudden, unexpected and short-term emergency that threatens their ability to continue their education. Grant awards are up to $1,000. Payments are sent directly to the creditor on behalf of a student who has been approved for support. For example, payments may be made to a utility company, medical provider, auto repair business, apartment complex, etc.

Student Success Scholarships
Student Success Scholarships fund up to 15 credits of in-state tuition for an associate degree, career studies certificate, certificate or professional credential. Priority will be given to students within 6 credits of graduation who might otherwise not be able to complete their education.

Before applying for Student Success Funds, students must document what other avenues of support they have explored at NOVA. Student Success Fund grants and scholarships are intended to be the final resource for students after other means of financial assistance have been exhausted. Read the complete list of criteria and some frequently asked questions for details.

“NOVA is a bright beacon of opportunity for our students and for our community,” said Anne M. Kress, president of NOVA. “As we can see across our region, the need is not going away. We’ve heard from our students that the impact of inflation has been devastating. The impact of a dramatically higher cost of living has been devastating to so many of them. These are the funds that help them move forward.”

“We challenge our NOVA Community to share this opportunity with our Nighthawks in need and encourage them to apply,” said Kelly Persons, executive director of the NOVA Educational Foundation. “This OneNOVA initiative will require all of us to take on the role of advocate and communicator to ensure that all NOVA students know about this critical program and how it serves the College’s commitment to a culture of caring.”

The Student Success Fund is made possible through the generosity of a host of community partners and donors. This initiative demonstrates our collective commitment to OneNOVA. The Fund was designed by and will be implemented through a broad partnership of NOVA departments, including Student Affairs; Enterprise IT; the Office of Strategic Insights; the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; NOVA Communications and Marketing; and countless individual staff and faculty members.