NCNLA Horticulture Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by North Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association

Introduction
The North Carolina Nursery & Landscape Association (NCNLA) manages an endowed scholarship program to financially support qualified students enrolled in horticulture, landscape design, or related green-industry degree programs at institutions in North Carolina. Oversight and administration of the program are the responsibility of the NCNLA Scholarship Committee.

Scholarships Offered
- NCNLA Scholarship: Established in 2021 to expand financial support for students studying within North Carolina.
- Robert E. Cagle Memorial Scholarship: Created in 2016 to honor Robert E. Cagle, founder of Greenthumb Nursery in Ether, NC. Mr. Cagle was a long-standing NCNLA member who helped coordinate an annual industry golf event; that outing—now named for him—contributes to funding this scholarship.

Eligibility
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be enrolled at the time of application and at the time any award is disbursed in a horticulture, landscape design, or other green-industry program at a North Carolina college, university, or other educational institution that is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- Be pursuing continuing formal undergraduate education; scholarship funds will be applied to tuition charges at the accredited institution the recipient designates.
Previous applicants and prior scholarship recipients are eligible to apply again in subsequent years if they meet all eligibility requirements.

Application Deadline
Completed applications must be submitted via the application button above by 5:00 PM on May 1, 2026 to be considered for awards for the 2026 academic year.

Selection Process
The NCNLA Scholarship Committee will review all submitted applications and forward award recommendations to the NCNLA Board of Directors for final approval. The committee may propose multiple recipients for a scholarship, or it may recommend that no award be granted in a given year if qualified applications are not received. Selection decisions will be based on an assessment of:
- Demonstrated need and explanation of circumstances
- Educational and career objectives
- Academic achievement
- Plans for future employment in the green industry
- Leadership and participation in related activities (for example, internships, student organizations, and similar experiences)

Award Terms and Disbursement
- Scholarships are awarded for the fall semester.
- The total amount available for distribution each year will be limited to the interest income earned on the endowment as of June 30 of that year.
- The NCNLA Scholarship Committee will determine the number and dollar amounts of awards each year based on available funds; in no case will the annual award amount exceed 10% of the fund’s total balance.
- Recipients will be informed of their selection by the NCNLA Director of Meetings & Education.
- Scholarship payments will be sent directly to the recipient’s institution and deposited to the recipient’s account with the school’s registrar or business office, as designated by the recipient.

Available Awards for 2026
- One (1) NCNLA Scholarship — $5,000
- One (1) Robert E. Cagle Memorial Scholarship — $2,500
- Two (2) NCNLA Scholarships — $1,250 each

NCNLA Scholarship Committee
Committee members are appointed by the NCNLA Board of Directors to serve two-year terms. The Board may reappoint members to successive two-year terms at its discretion. The committee is responsible for administering the scholarship program and making award recommendations to the Board.