Category Archives: Scholarships

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.

STEM Scholarships- Virginia Space Grant Consortium

Are you looking for extra funding for your education? Well the Virginia Space Grant Consortium has $2,000 worth of scholarship money that could go to you! Eligibility requirements are:

  • US Citizenship
  • Full-time enrollment (12 credit hours) during the award period at a Virginia Community College
  • Completed at least 9 credit hours at the time of application
  • Must be majoring in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer, or Math)
  • Grade Point Average of at least 3.0
  • Must be graduating in May 2025 or Later
  • Able to attend a Webinar

Please note that Allied Health Science majors are not eligible for this scholarship

The Deadline to apply is March 8th 2024, so you have time to work on your application! If you’re interested, please visit the website for more information and to complete the 2024 to 2025 online application:  https://vsgc.odu.edu/communitycollegescholarships/
You can also email vsgc@odu.edu for more information

STEM Community College Scholarships 2024-2025

Continue reading STEM Scholarships- Virginia Space Grant Consortium

Scholarships- Garden Club of America

If you’re looking for a scholarship opportunity to help you with the rising costs of tuition… look no further than the Garden Club of America. Not only do they have a LOT of available scholarships, but they’re all for horticulture or related fields. So no worrying about applying for something you won’t even qualify for! Not only that, but they also offer a wide variety of undergrad and post graduate scholarship options! Whether you’re interested in field botany, ecological restoration, native plants, or anything else there’s bound to be a scholarship for you!

GCA Scholarships, Horticulture, Botany, Conservation, Landscape Architecture, Garden Design (gcamerica.org)

Continue reading Scholarships- Garden Club of America

MAC-ISA Annual Meeting-Student Scholarships

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture is hosting its annual meeting in Morgantown, WV and they want more students like you to attend and explore the exciting professional world of arboriculture! The best part is, they know that money can be tight when you’re paying for classes, so they have several scholarship opportunities for you to go for a reduced rate or free!

Not only that, but Student Membership to the MAC-ISA is FREE!! Yes, FREE! That’s a $60 savings! For those of you who don’t know, the MAC-ISA is our superstar hometown chapter of the ISA, and they’re the ones who help organize local events such as ISA Certified Arborist Certification Courses, Tree Climbing Competitions, Day of Safety! If I were still a student, I wouldn’t miss the opportunity to go to this amazing event and save some money.

Educational Sessions include:
Ecological Design & Management of our Urban Forests
Building a Resilient City of Trees in a Changing Climate
Structural Pruning Introduction
Safety 201 – Why all the Gadgets
SRT/MRS Climbing Systems
Practical Use of Drone in the Arborist Industry
Managing Large Tree Inventories
Emerging Insects & Diseases in the Mid-Atlantic,
Diseases of Oaks…and much more!

Plus if you’re already a certified arborist, some of these classes count as CEUs for recertification! You must be a member of MAC-ISA and currently enrolled in arboriculture, urban forestry, horticulture or related programs. Scholarship funds cover registration and two nights at the Marriott in Morgantown!

APPLY FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING SCHOLARSHIP HERE

As a professional organization, they also offer other scholarships for budding arborists, make sure to check them out here for more details on how you could possibly save some money on your classes and materials!

Remember:

Student Memberships are FREE. Sign up today.

Deadline Extended for $16,000 Scholarship for 100 Local Community College Students

Originally Posted in the NOVA Daily Flyer by:
Clint Young, Financial Aid, JCYoung@nvcc.edu

The Herb Block Foundation has extended the deadline for The Herb Block Scholarship application until June 13. This is a great opportunity, so please encourage your students to apply by the deadline!

The Herb Block Scholarship is a “last dollar” scholarship valued at up to $8,000 per academic year and up to $16,000 over the life of the scholarship. It is awarded to about 100 students each year and can cover tuition, mandatory fees, books, and limited transportation and childcare expenses. It is a ‘last dollar’ scholarship, meaning that the amount of the award depends on the student’s financial need and the other financial aid the student receives. It is renewable for up to five years, provided the student continues to meet all other eligibility criteria and has not reached the monetary cap.

Students of any age are eligible for The Herb Block Scholarship if they are a high school graduates, GED holders or current community college students, who meet the following criteria:

  • Are US citizens/nationals, Permanent Resident Aliens, have been granted DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) by the US Customs and Immigration Service, or qualify for in-state tuition under the Maryland Dream Act or Virginia Dream Act. (Note: the 2020 Virginia Dream Act refers to the change in VA policy that allowed students who met certain criteria to receive in-state tuition through the SB 935, “Tuition Equity Provision for High School Completers.)
  • Are a primary resident in Washington, DC, or Montgomery or Prince George’s Counties in Maryland, or the Cities of Alexandria or Falls Church, or the Counties of Arlington or Fairfax in Virginia.
  • A US citizen/nationals, Permanent Resident Aliens, have been granted DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) by the US Customs and Immigration Service, or qualify for in-state tuition under the Maryland or Virginia Dream Act
  • are eligible for (but need not necessarily receive) federal financial aid.
  • Are attending, or plan to attend, on a full time or part time basis, one of the participating community colleges, and have not yet earned more than 40 credits towards a degree.
  • Can demonstrate financial need and, if eligible, apply for financial aid.

Visit https://www.herbblockfoundation.org/scholarships to learn more and to apply.

There are many scholarships out there, some with looming deadlines. Check ’em out out at https://nvcc.academicworks.com/.

Originally Posted in the NOVA Daily Flyer by:
Clint Young, Financial Aid, JCYoung@nvcc.edu

Scholarship- Val and Bill Tillett Scholarship APPLICATION EXTENSION!!!!

NOVA Students have an application deadline extension for the following scholarship! Previous NOVA Horticulture Students have received this scholarship so don’t hesitate to apply- especially since there was more time given to do so! You have until April 18th!!!

Val and Bill Tillett Scholarship
Founded by Bill and Val Tillett | Est. Scholarship: $2,000

Criteria: Recipient must be attending Northern Virginia Community College seeking a degree within the school’s Horticulture program. Award priority includes Loudoun County residence as well as financial need; residents of Prince William, Fairfax, Alexandria, and Arlington will be considered. Both full-time and part-time applicants may apply. Once selected, an applicant may apply for a second consecutive year of scholarship support with re-application and at least a 2.5 GPA or C+ or higher.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Completed general application form; 250-words essay sharing “Why a degree in Horticulture Technology or Landscape Design Specialization is a good fit for me,” or, “My financial challenges to attend school;” letter of recommendation from the Program Head or teacher in the NOVA Community College’s Horticulture program; FAFSA/1040, and grade transcripts required.

https://communityfoundationlf.org/students/

https://communityfoundationlf.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-Universal-Application-Fillable-1.pdf

Scholarship- VA Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Are you in need of funding to complete your coursework? Well, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts Educational Foundation may have a solution for you! They’re offering a scholarship for $1,000!

The purpose of this scholarship is to promote the education of Virginia citizens in technical fields with natural resource conservation and environmental protection. To give financial support to students majoring in or showing a strong desire to major in a course curriculum related to natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies.

SWCD scholarship-app-2023

Applications are due April 1st!

Return Application To:
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District,
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 905, Fairfax, VA 22035

conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov

Community College Scholarship- Shenandoah District VFGC

Are you struggling to pay for your horticulture classes? FAFSA didn’t cover all of your expenses? Well, we don’t want you to worry when there are options like the Shenandoah District Community College Scholarship from the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs! This scholarship offers financial aid ($1000) to a full-time rising second-year student of an accredited Community College in the Shenandoah District of Virginia. In order to qualify for the scholarship, your career goals must align with garden-related objectives, and your degree must be in a garden-related field such as horticulture, forestry, environmental science, botany, and landscaping.

The deadline to apply is March 1st. Applications must be completed and received prior to this date.

Shen District Scholarship Guide

SDS Application

Continue reading Community College Scholarship- Shenandoah District VFGC

Summer 2023 Internships- Green Spring Gardens

It’s that time of the year again! All around the area, horticultural businesses and public gardens are starting to think of and release summer internship positions! If you’re still looking for a position to complete your Cooperative Education Credit, one of these could be your answer! Green Spring Gardens, a local favorite public garden located in Alexandria, has 5!! available positions for the summer of 2023! GSG is not only host to several ID courses, but is also managed by a NOVA Hort Alumni! That’s right! If you apply for any of these opportunities, you might be lucky enough to work with Adam Bucher, NOVA  Horticulture Alumni and Green Spring Garden’s Horticulture Resource Manager! What better way to learn about life after school than this??

Internship brochure Summer GSG 2023

Farmers Market Internship 2023 GSG

Historic Resources Internship 2023 GSG

Horticultural Internship 2023 GSG

Native Plant Garden Internship 2023 GSG

Youth and Family Program Internship 2023 GSG