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 support students pursuing degrees in horticulture, landscape design, or related green-industry fields at institutions in North Carolina. The NCNLA Scholarship Committee oversees the administration and award process.

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

Eligibility
To qualify, applicants must be enrolled at the time of application and at award disbursement in a horticulture, landscape design, or comparable green-industry program at a North Carolina college, university, or other educational institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Scholarship awards are intended to pay tuition for continuing undergraduate study at an accredited institution. Students who have applied previously or who have received a scholarship in past years may submit new applications in subsequent years as long as they continue to meet all eligibility requirements.

Application Deadline / Timeline
Complete applications must be submitted via the application button above by 5:00 PM on the posted due date in order to be considered for 2026 scholarships.

Selection Process
The NCNLA Scholarship Committee will review all submitted applications and forward their recommendations to the NCNLA Board of Directors for final approval. The committee may recommend multiple recipients for a scholarship or recommend withholding an award for a given year if no suitable candidates are identified. Evaluation criteria include:
- Demonstrated financial need and justification
- Educational objectives and academic record
- Plans for future employment in the green industry
- Leadership and participation in relevant activities (for example, internships, student organizations)

Award Details and Distribution
- Scholarships are awarded for the fall semester.
- Total annual awards will not exceed the interest income earned by the scholarship funds as of June 30 of that year.
- The NCNLA Scholarship Committee will decide how many scholarships to make and the dollar amounts, based on available funds. Under no circumstances will the combined annual awards exceed 10% of the overall fund balance.
- Selected recipients will be notified by the NCNLA Director of Meetings & Education.
- Scholarship payments will be sent directly to the recipient’s designated educational institution and applied to the student account via the registrar or business office.

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

Scholarship Committee
Members of the NCNLA Scholarship Committee are appointed by the NCNLA Board of Directors to serve two-year terms. Committee members may be reappointed for additional two-year terms at the discretion of the Board.