NEWBERRY COUNTY — The Newberry County Master Gardener Association is once again offering a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior or a college level student who is pursing a degree in horticulture, agriculture, food science, forestry or a related field.
Lynn Cousins with the Master Gardeners said this scholarship has been given out since 2004, and has been awarded to students with a good academic record who are either attending or have been accepted into an accredited two- or four-year institution of higher learning.
Generally the Master Gardeners get less than 10 applications a year.
“First preference is given to Newberry County residents, second consideration will be given to residents of Saluda, Union and Laurens counties and then other students in South Carolina are considered, absent any other qualified candidates,” Cousins said. “The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of character, sincerity of purpose, achievement, academics and dedication to the horticulture related fields.”
High school seniors or college level students who are interested in applying will need to provide the following: a completed application form, certified record of high school or college grades, list of colleges/universities applied to, intended major and admission status of each application, one recommendation from high school agriculture/science teacher, college department head or guidance counselor (or similar advisor, if home-schooled), list of other scholarships (sources and amounts, prizes, honors and awards received, list of extra-curricular activities (athletics, services clubs, etc.), membership in student societies, awards received and any other work experience and a 100 word, or less, essay stating your career goals and reasons for choosing your field of study.
It should be noted that any applications missing any of the requested information will not be considered. The application will ask for information such as name, date of birth, address, and information regarding family and income.
The Master Gardeners have made applications available at all the high schools in Newberry County, specifically in the guidance departments, Newberry Academy, Piedmont Technical College and the Newberry County Clemson Extension Office.
The deadline to apply for this scholarship is April 14. High school seniors can turn their applications in to their guidance counselor so they can forward it to the Master Gardeners, but they should do this by April 7.
Applications need to be either hand delivered or mailed to Newberry County Clemson Extension, Attention: Master Gardener Scholarship Committee, P.O. Box 160, Newberry, SC 29108.
The scholarship will be paid directly to the candidate’s college and will be disbursed no later than the August meeting (Aug. 16). The winner will provide the Scholarship Committee with the official financial account number following new student orientation. The scholarship may be renewed upon re-application and approval.