Scholarships

WSU, CAHNRS, and Department of Horticulture Scholarships

  • Amount: Ranges from $100 to $4,000
  • Deadline: January 31 of each year
  • Requirements: Must be enrolled at WSU and file the application every year

These scholarships are available through the WSU online scholarship application, allowing students to be considered for thousands of scholarships at university, college, and departmental levels within CAHNRS.

External Scholarships

College Scholarships for Women (a guide)

The College Scholarships for Women guide is designed to assist women in finding scholarships for college education. It emphasizes the importance of such scholarships and provides guidance on application processes. It covers scholarships across various study areas including arts, STEM, and business, and highlights scholarships for minority groups like Black women, LGBTQ women, and women with disabilities. The guide aims to reach as many students as possible before the May 1st deadline and encourages sharing the resources within communities.

For more detailed information and application forms, visit the College Scholarships for Women page.

Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) Scholarships

  • Amount: Over $1 million awarded annually to more than 300 students
  • Deadline: March 1
  • Requirements:
    • Available for students with direct ties to the Washington tree fruit industry or interested in a Washington tree fruit career pathway
    • Eligibility for Universal Scholarships: Current high school seniors and college students raised in families with direct ties to Washington’s tree fruit industry
    • Eligibility for Vocational/Technical Scholarships: Washington state high school seniors or current college students with a path of study aligning with potential work in the tree fruit industry

WAEF offers a variety of scholarships to support students connected to the Washington tree fruit industry. The scholarships are designed to support students throughout their undergraduate studies, providing not just financial support but also mentoring, care packages, educational workshops, networking opportunities, and more. WAEF’s commitment goes beyond the scholarships, offering a comprehensive support system to help students succeed in their academic and future professional endeavors.

For more detailed information and application guidelines, visit the WAEF Scholarships page.

Washington State Nursery & Landscape Association Scholarships

  • Amount: Varies; approximately $20,000 awarded annually
  • Deadline: February 28
  • Requirements:
    • Complete application, statement of intent, and at least two letters of reference.
    • Pursuing a major in the horticultural industry.
    • Planning to attend or attending a Northwest accredited educational institution.
    • Demonstrating academic success

The WSNLA Scholarship Fund supports college tuition, books, supplies, industry research internships, and other learning opportunities. It aims to invest in the future of horticulture by encouraging careers through scholarships and industry partnerships.

For more information, visit WSNLA Scholarships & Grants.

Pacific Northwest Vegetable Association (PNVA) Scholarships

  • Amount: Up to $20,000, renewable for an additional year
  • Deadline: April 27
  • Requirements:
    • High school graduates planning to attend or currently enrolled in higher education (university, college, or technical program).
    • Preference given to studies related to vegetable production.
    • Recipients are expected to report to PNVA for at least one year after receiving the scholarship.

The PNVA is committed to nurturing the growth of future agricultural professionals by offering substantial scholarships. These scholarships are designed to support students in any area of study within agriculture, particularly those related to vegetable production. Candidates are selected based on their application, which includes an in-person interview, and are evaluated by the scholarship committee and board of directors of the PNVA. This scholarship is a testament to the PNVA’s dedication to education and research, serving to grow the industry and represent growers in the Pacific Northwest.

For more details and to apply, visit the PNVA Scholarship page.

Mukilteo Way Garden Club Scholarship

  • Amount: $1000
  • Deadline: May 31
  • Requirements:
    • To be used in the following academic year.
    • Interest in Horticulture, Landscape/Design, Agriculture, Environmental Studies and related fields, financial need and career goals, Activities and achievements in school or community.
    • No required tests.

The Mukilteo Way Garden Club offers a Horticulture Scholarship to support students with an interest in horticulture and related fields. The scholarship emphasizes the importance of these fields and aims to aid students in their academic and career endeavors.

For more details and to apply, visit the Mukilteo Way Garden Club Scholarship Information page.

Proven Winner Horticulture Scholarship Program

Proven Winners® Horticulture Scholarship Program Application Proven Winners is looking to the future, and the future of our industry depends on the young people behind us. We want to assist and recognize the academic talent that exists across North America by presenting scholarships to students in both 4-year universities as well as community colleges and vocational schools.

  • Deadline: mid-April

The Ushio Sakazaki – Proven Winners® Plant Breeding

  • Amount: $5,000
  • Requirements: Students must be enrolled full-time in a four-year university in the U.S. or Canada and be at least a sophomore during the academic year.

New flowers and plants are the lifeblood of our industry. This scholarship is dedicated to supporting students who are committed to developing new and exciting plants in this competitive market.

Proven Winners® Innovations in Horticultural Marketing

  • Amount: $5,000
  • Requirements: Same as above

This scholarship is focused on supporting students who not only have a passion for plants but also possess a strong understanding of how to market and sell them effectively.

The Rick Schoellhorn – Proven Winners® Grower Excellence

  • Amount: $5,000
  • Requirements: Same as above

This scholarship recognizes high-quality plant material produced by talented and hardworking growers, which is essential for any plant brand’s success.

For more information and to apply, visit the Proven Winners Horticulture Scholarship Program Application page.

National Garden Club

  • Amount: $4,000
  • Deadline: February 1
  • Requirements: Complete NGC Scholarship Application and Financial Aid Form, academic transcripts, a one-page letter from the applicant, list of recent extracurricular activities, and two letters of recommendation.

This program offers financial aid to students in horticulture and related environmental fields. It supports undergraduates, seniors, and graduate students pursuing a master’s degree.

For more information and to apply, visit the National Garden Clubs Scholarship page.

True Leaf Market – Demetrios Agathangelides Memorial Agricultural Sciences Scholarship

  • Amount: $5,000
  • Deadline: June 30
  • Requirements: Open to students pursuing a degree in plant science-related disciplines (such as Horticulture, Botany, Agriculture, Landscape Architecture, and other related fields) who are at least high school graduates and enrolled in a college, trade school, or university in the USA.

This scholarship is offered by True Leaf Market in memory of Demetrios Agathangelides, founder of one of True Leaf Market’s original brands. The scholarship supports students majoring in agricultural sciences, aiming to showcase their skills and knowledge in their field. Applicants are encouraged to create a zone-specific cover crop mix presentation, demonstrating their research and understanding of local growing conditions.

For more details and application guidelines, visit the True Leaf Market Scholarships page.

Western Reserve Herb Society Scholarships

  • Amount: Two National Scholarships of $5,500 each
  • Deadline: February 28
  • Requirements:
    • Open to students who have completed their second/sophomore year of undergraduate study and are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Plant Science.
    • Applicants must be attending an accredited college or university and have a GPA of 3.2 or above.
    • Preference is given to applicants with exceptional dedication and career goals in areas such as public or nonprofit sector, education, sustainability, and research.

The Western Reserve Herb Society offers these scholarships to support students in Plant Science across the United States. The scholarships aim to assist students who demonstrate strong commitment to their field of study and have clear career goals that contribute positively to society and the field of horticulture.

For more information and to apply, visit the Western Reserve Herb Society’s scholarship page.

AmericanHort HortScholar Program

  • Amount: Not specified
  • Deadline: March 1
  • Requirements:
    • Open to undergraduate and graduate students attending 2- and 4-year colleges and universities, majoring in floriculture, horticulture, or a related field.
    • Applicants are required to complete the online application, including a resume and two letters of recommendation.

The AmericanHort HortScholar Program provides a unique opportunity for students in horticulture to gain in-depth industry experience. Selected scholars participate in the Cultivate event in Columbus, Ohio, where they engage in various activities including volunteering, learning about the green industry, networking with industry leaders, and presenting on a horticulture topic. This program is designed to help create lasting industry connections, find future job and internship opportunities, and experience exciting aspects of the horticulture industry.

For more details and to apply when the application window opens, visit the AmericanHort HortScholar Program page.

American Floral Endowment Intern Scholarship Programs

Vic & Margaret Ball Intern Scholarship Program

  • Amount: $1,500 for three months, $4,000 for four months, or $6,000 for six months
  • Deadline: March 1 and October 1
  • Requirements: Students must be enrolled in a floriculture/horticulture program and intern at a commercial production greenhouse or nursery.

This program offers students practical experience in commercial production environments. It was established through a generous donation from Vic and Margaret Ball to provide critical hands-on growing experiences to future horticulture professionals. Students get the opportunity to intern away from home for three, four, or six months, receiving a scholarship upon successful completion.

Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program

  • Amount: $2,000
  • Deadline: March 1 and October 1
  • Requirements: Students should be training at a retail, wholesale, or allied trade operation for a period of 10-16 weeks.

The Mosmiller Intern Scholarship Program provides valuable on-the-job work experience for students in floriculture and environmental horticulture. Interns train at leading operations, gaining insights into the industry. Upon successful completion of their internship, they receive a scholarship. The program honors Colonel and Mrs. Walter E. Mosmiller Jr., known for their commitment to professional training in the floral industry.

For more detailed information on these programs, please visit the American Floral Endowment Internships page.

American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) Scholars Award

  • Amount: $1,500 each for two undergraduate students
  • Deadline: February 4
  • Requirements: Undergraduate students of any class standing, registered full-time, actively pursuing a degree in horticulture, with excellent academic performance, extracurricular leadership, and research activities in horticulture, and commitment to horticulture science profession.

This award is established by the ASHS Board of Directors to recognize and support scholastic achievement and encourage career development in horticultural science at the undergraduate level. Recipients are recognized as ASHS Scholars at the ASHS Annual Conference, receive a certificate and a check for educational purposes, and are encouraged to attend the conference. The application includes an essay, resume/vitae, and three letters of reference, and must be nominated by the department chair/head.

For more information, please visit the ASHS Scholars Award page.

American Conifer Society Scholarships

  • Amount: Varies, up to $10,000 total from ACS general funds
  • Deadline: Applications accepted between February 1st and April 1st
  • Requirements: Open to students pursuing careers in horticulture, plant sciences, ecology, forestry, environmental sciences, or related fields with an interest in conifers. Specific eligibility criteria depend on the scholarship category.

The American Conifer Society offers scholarships, internship grants, and awards to students demonstrating an interest in conifers. The scholarships aim to support education in the study, development, preservation, and appreciation of conifers. The society offers several categories of awards, including undergraduate scholarships, internship grants, and conference travel awards, with the distribution and amounts determined annually by the ACS Scholarship Committee.

For more detailed information and application forms, visit the American Conifer Society Scholarships page.

The Garden Club of America

The Garden Club of America offers a variety of scholarships, fellowships, and awards in fields related to conservation, ecology, horticulture, and pollinator research. These opportunities are merit-based and are available to undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate students to support their research projects, whether for summer study or as part of an academic year program.

The Garden Club of America Scholarships:

  • Scholarships are offered in 12 areas including Botany, Conservation & Ecological Restoration, Desert Studies, Garden History & Design, Horticulture & Related Fields, Landscape Architecture, and more.
  • The number of scholarships and their amounts vary.
  • Each scholarship has its unique application and deadlines for submissions vary.
  • Applicants can apply for only one scholarship, fellowship, or award per year.

The Garden Club of America collaborates with various organizations and universities to recommend award recipients in their respective fields. In 2023, over $400,000 was awarded to 86 scholars. These scholarships are a testament to the GCA’s commitment to supporting students and advancing research in horticulture, conservation, and related fields.

For detailed information on specific scholarships and how to apply, please visit the Garden Club of America Scholarships page.

Extreme Terrain Scholarship Program

  • Amount: $2,500
  • Deadline: October 15th for the spring semester scholarship and June 15th for the fall semester scholarship
  • Requirements: Open to undergraduate college/university students and high school seniors pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies, Environmental Research, Land Use, Earth & Atmosphere Sciences, Sustainable Land Management, Parks and Recreation, or Sustainable Agriculture Systems.

The scholarship is awarded to students who show an understanding of the importance of maintaining access to public lands for recreational use and how they plan to use their degree to advocate for this cause. Essays should be submitted as a PDF or Microsoft Word document, along with proof of enrollment.

For more detailed information and application guidelines, visit the ExtremeTerrain Scholarship page.

Shinoda Scholarship Foundation

  • Amount: Varies; $1,000 to $5,000
  • Deadline: March 30
  • Requirements:
    • Specialization in floriculture intended for commercial floriculture in the United States.
    • Enrollment in an institution with accredited floriculture coursework.
    • Preference for upper division applicants.
    • Evaluation based on grades, need, work status, character, and intent.

The Shinoda Scholarship Foundation annually offers scholarships to support students specializing in floriculture, focusing on those intending to enter the commercial floriculture industry in the United States. With a history of prioritizing upper division applicants, the foundation considers a range of criteria including academic performance, financial need, work experience, character, and career intentions in the floriculture industry. Applications are due by March 30 each year.

For more detailed information and application forms, visit the Shinoda Scholarship Foundation page.

Future Organic Farmers Grant

  • Amount: $5,000
  • Application Period: March 19 through April 19
  • Requirements:
    • Enrollment in a U.S. educational program beneficial to a career in organic agriculture, including vocational or certificate programs and two/four-year degrees.
    • Demonstrated financial need.
    • Strong interest and commitment to a career in organic agriculture.
    • Submission of a final report upon completion of the award year.

The Future Organic Farmers Grant offers $5,000 scholarships to support vocational and higher education students pursuing careers in organic agriculture. The grant aims to increase organic acreage and enhance organic food production by investing in the next generation of organic farmers. Eligibility includes enrollment in relevant educational programs in the United States, demonstration of financial need, and a commitment to organic agriculture. Applications require a reference letter and can cover expenses such as tuition, educational materials, internships, and work experience related to organic agriculture studies.

For more detailed information and application forms, visit the Future Organic Farmers Grant page.

Perfect Plants Scholarship

  • Amount: $1,000
  • Deadline: August 20th annually
  • Requirements:
    • Incoming freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior enrolled full or part-time in a horticultural industry-related course at a community college or university.
    • Minimum GPA of 3.0.
    • Submission includes an online application, transcripts, an essay (500-1,000 words on specified topics), and two letters of recommendation from specified sources.

The Perfect Plants Scholarship aims to support students pursuing degrees in the horticultural industry, reflecting the nursery’s dedication to cultivating interest and education in horticulture since its establishment in 1980. The scholarship award of $1,000 is provided to assist with educational expenses, and the recipient is notified by September 20th. Detailed application instructions and topics for the required essay are available on the Perfect Plants website.

For more detailed information and to apply, visit the Perfect Plants Scholarship Application page.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Scholarship

  • Amount: Varies
  • Application Period: Opens January each year
  • Requirements:
    • Hispanic heritage
    • U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, DACA, or eligible non-citizen
    • Minimum 3.0 GPA for high school students or 2.5 GPA for college and graduate students
    • Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school during the FALL of a scholarship cycle

The HSF Scholarship supports students of Hispanic heritage to obtain a college degree. Scholarships are available for high school seniors, undergraduate, and graduate students, including community college students transferring to four-year universities. It emphasizes academic excellence, financial need, and a commitment to community service.

For more detailed information and to apply, please visit the HSF website.