Scholarships

Revised 6/2/23

Garden Club of Rogers Scholarship Application Process

Keeta Arnold Memorial Horticulture Scholarship
Sponsored by the Garden Club of Rogers

DEADLINE JANUARY 1st for GCR Scholarship applications

Scholarship Guidelines and Objectives

The purpose of scholarships is to offer financial aid to students and encourage the study of Horticulture related subjects. (See list below)                                           

The GCR scholarship fund is set up to honor the memory of long time garden club member, mentor, counselor, teacher, and gardener, Keeta Arnold.

Once selected applicant MAY be forwarded to AFGC Scholarship Committee yearly for consideration of a State scholarship.

Details of the Award

  • The number and amount of scholarship(s) will be determined annually.
  • At least 1 scholarship, in the amount of $1500, will be awarded.
  • One-year scholarships are available to juniors, seniors, and graduate students.
  • Sophomores may apply for their junior year.
  • GCR scholarship applicants will use the National Garden Clubs, Inc. forms.
  • Applications will be sent to the GCR Scholarship Chairman by January 1st.
  • College/university must be accredited and listed on the official website of the U.S. Department of Education http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/search.aspx

Applicant Eligibility
Applications under the following conditions are not eligible:

  • International or Foreign Exchange Students.
  • Study abroad on fellowships or internships.

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

  • Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Legal Resident of the United States.
    • Must be a legal resident of the State of Arkansas
  • Must be attending school full-time or as defined by NGC:
    • Undergraduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of 12 graded hours of classes.
    • Graduate students must be enrolled for a minimum of 6 graded hours of classes.
  • Funds may be applied to studies overseas provided that the study is a condition of the
    recipient’s degree plan and that payment continues to be made to the accredited U.S. college
    or university.
  • Must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale).
  • Previous applicants may re-apply (whether awarded or not).
  • Must be planning a career related to gardening, landscape design, environmental issues, floral
    design or horticulture.
  • Must be majoring in one of the following fields of study:
    • Agronomy
    • City (Rural & Urban) Planning
    • Agriculture Education
    • Plant Pathology/ Science
    • Floriculture
    • Wildlife Science
    • Horticulture
    • Forestry
    • Landscape Design
    • Botany, Biology
    • Environmental Conservation (i.e. Engineering, Law, etc.)
    • Environmental Concerns (Management: Environmental, Horticulture Resource/Environmental Behavior
    • Land Management and/or other related or allied subjects
    • Habitat or Forest/System Ecology

Selection Criteria

  • All applications received by January 1 will be judged by the GCR Scholarship Chairman and
    committee in order to choose a winning application.
  • After judging at GCR level has been completed, the wining application(s) will be judged at the
    state level by the AFGC (Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.) scholarship committee.
  • The following Sample Scale of Points may be used for the evaluation of each application:
    • Academic Record 40%
    • Applicant’s Letter 25%
    • Listing of Honors/Extracurricular/Activities/Work Experience 13%
    • Financial Need 15%
    • Recommendations 5%
    • Conformance 2%

Applications are evaluated and winners chosen by the GCR Scholarship Committee, which
consists of the GCR Scholarship Chairman and 2 other committee members, chosen by the
chairman. Final judging takes place in January. Winners are announced at the GCR January
Board meeting. The GCR Scholarship Chairman will notify all applicants in writing of the
committee’s decisions immediately following the judging.

Description of Funds

  • Awarded funds will be mailed in June from GCR to the Financial Aid Office of the
    institution at which the student is enrolled. No funds will be sent directly to the student.
  • The Student and Financial Aid Officer will determine how the money is to be spent:
    tuition, food, housing, books, etc.
  • In the event of a change in a student’s major to one other than those listed above, or if the
    student withdraws from school; the balance of the funds must be returned to Garden Club
    of Rogers.

Application procedure: by email or mail

  • The following documents must be submitted by email or mail to:
    GCR Scholarship Chairman, Sherrie Eoff
    15211 Markey Ln, Garfield, AR 72732-9288,
    skeoff@hotmail.com
    (front side only)
  • Deadline is January 1st
    1. NGC Scholarship Application Form
    2. NGC Financial Aid Form
    3. Complete academic transcripts
    4. Letter from applicant, one page- front side only
    5. List of extracurricular activities, honors, recognitions received within the last three years (front side only)
    6. Two letters of recommendation, one page per letter- front side only
  • All documents are to be emailed or mailed by applicant in one large envelope. Do not bind or
    staple documents
  • Previous applicants must submit a new and updated application package.
  • Forms may be accessed at www.gardenclub.org/college-scholarships

Instructions for Completing Application

All forms to be typed or computer generated. (Front side only – do not staple)

  • Financial Aid Form
    • Must be completed
    • Signed by student
  • Transcripts
    • Transcripts must include the latest grading period
  • Graduate students must include undergraduate transcripts
  • Applicant Letter (Limit 1 page)
    • Discuss background, financial need, & future career goals
    • With emphasis on all horticulture related activities/club, regardless of time frame
  • List of Activities (Limit 2 pages)
    • List to include only items from the last 3 years
    • Students returning to school after an absence can list work experience and activities

Letters of Recommendation Limit- 2 letters
1 page each

*Discuss scholastic ability,
personal character, work
experience

Please Note: for consideration for GCR’s Keeta Arnold Memorial Horticulture Scholarship, all
NGC application, forms and documents, completed, must be emailed or mailed to the GCR
Scholarship Chairman by January 1st
.

This differs from the information listed on the NGC application form.