NCNLA Horticulture Scholarship

NCNLA administers an endowed scholarship program to provide financial assistance to deserving students enrolled in degree programs associated with horticulture, landscape design, or similar green-industry fields of study in the state of North Carolina. The program is administered by the NCNLA Scholarship Committee.

NCNLA Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2021 to provide additional financial assistance to deserving students within the state of North Carolina.

Robert E. Cagle Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 2016 in memory of the founder of Greenthumb Nursery in Ether, NC. Mr. Cagle was a long-time member of NCNLA, who helped to organize an annual golf outing for industry members. The event, now named in his honor, helps to fund the scholarship program.

Eligibility Requirements

At the time of application and award, the student must be enrolled in horticulture, landscape design, or similar green-industry program at a North Carolina university, community college, or other educational institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Scholarship funds are applied to tuition expenses for continuing formal undergraduate education at an accredited educational institution. Previous applicants and/or recipients may reapply in succeeding years provided all other requirements of eligibility are satisfied.

Timeline

Completed applications must be submitted through the application button above no later than 5:00 PM on May 1, 2026, to be eligible for a 2026 scholarship.

Selection Process

All applications will be reviewed by the NCNLA Scholarship Committee, which will submit recommendations to the NCNLA Board of Directors for final approval. The committee may recommend more than one recipient for each scholarship, or they may recommend that no award be made in a particular year if no meritorious applications are received. Selection is based on appraisal of applicant’s justification/financial need, educational plans, academic performance, future employment plans, leadership capacity and related activities (internships, student clubs, etc.).

Scholarship Award Details

Scholarships shall be awarded for the fall semester.  The amount of funds available for award each year shall not exceed the interest income generated as of June 30 of that year. The NCNLA Scholarship Committee shall determine the dollar amount and number of awards to be presented based on the funds available. At no time shall the annual award amount exceed 10-percent of the total fund balance.  Recipients will be notified of their selection to receive a scholarship by the NCNLA Director of Meetings & Education.  Scholarship funds will be deposited to the recipient’s account with the registrar or business office of the educational institution designated by the recipient.

The following scholarships will be available in 2026:

• One (1) NCNLA Scholarship - $5,000
• One (1) Robert E. Cagle Memorial Scholarship- $2,500
• Two (2) NCNLA Scholarships - $1,250

About the Scholarship Committee

Members of the NCNLA Scholarship Committee shall be appointed to serve two-year terms by the NCNLA Board of Directors. Committee members may serve successive two-year terms as determined by the NCNLA Board of Directors.