Garden Centre Association Trust

GARDEN CENTRE ASSOCIATION TRUST SCHOLARSHIP
The Garden Centre Association Trust is pleased to invite applications for a scholarship to support students who wish to gain qualifications and further their career in the garden centre or allied industries by attending a full-time or part time National Diploma, Higher National Diploma or Foundation Degree course in Horticulture.
Conditions of the Award
Applicants can either be nominated by members of the Garden Centre Association or by their chosen college. The final decision will be made by the Board of Trustees. Applicants may be required to attend an interview
The award is available for Foundation Degree, Higher National Diploma or National Diploma courses, although may also be offered in cases of genuine hardship for other courses.
Preference will be given to students who would otherwise find it difficult to attend college on financial grounds. Consideration will also be given to students looking to further the therapeutic benefits of horticulture to the disabled or elderly.
The award of up to £2000 per application will be paid directly to the college towards the costs of course fees, or accommodation costs. Discretionary payments may be available for other expenses.
The amount awarded will take into account any financial support from other sources.
Prospective applicants must be at least 16 years of age. Applications from mature students are also encouraged.
Foundation Degree and Higher National Diploma students in receipt of an award will be expected to undertake a dissertation project, which will benefit the Garden Centre Association or the garden centre industry as agreed with the college.

Students on the National Diploma course will be asked to prepare a short report on their studies before completing their course.
We would encourage all Trust Scholarship recipients to keep us informed of their progress .

Failure to meet the conditions of the award

1. Failure to progress satisfactorily though the course may result in withdrawal of funds.

2. Withdrawal from the course will also result in withdrawal of funding. Deferral from the course due to mitigating circumstances will result in suspension of funding, pending satisfactory progress.

3. In all cases of withdrawal or referral the recipient will be expected to notify, in writing, both the Garden Centre Association Trust and horticultural college.

How to apply:
Download an application form here

Email your application together with a brief CV and covering letter stating reasons for the scholarship application to the Trust Administrator Pat Adams pat@gca.org.uk