Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarships in Horticulture
Offered by The Garden Club of America
About This Scholarship
The Garden Club of America funds 29 merit-based scholarships and fellowships across horticulture, conservation, and ecology, and the Katharine M. Grosscup Scholarships are its flagship for horticulture students in the Ohio Valley region. The award provides up to $3,500 for the first year, and past recipients who reapply can receive up to $1,000 for a second year.
Eligibility is regional by school rather than by residency: applicants must be enrolled at institutions in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia. The program is open to rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors as well as master's degree candidates for the fall 2027 term who are majoring in horticulture or a related field. GCA expects a GPA of 3.5 or higher, and applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Applications can be submitted electronically or by mail and must reach GCA headquarters in New York City by January 15. One important rule applies across the entire GCA program: you may apply for only one GCA scholarship, fellowship, or award per year, so pick the award that best fits your study plans before you start the paperwork.
Eligibility
- Rising college sophomore, junior, senior, or master's degree candidate for fall 2027
- Enrolled at an institution in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia
- Majoring in horticulture or a related field
- GPA of 3.5 or higher expected
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
How To Apply
- Confirm your school is in one of the six eligible states and your major qualifies
- Choose this as your one GCA application for the year (only one GCA award may be applied for annually)
- Complete the application form on the GCA website and gather transcripts and recommendations
- Submit electronically or by mail so materials reach GCA headquarters by January 15, 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live in the Ohio Valley region to apply?
The requirement is based on where you go to school, not where you live. You must be enrolled at an institution in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.
Can I apply for other Garden Club of America scholarships too?
No. GCA allows only one scholarship, fellowship, or award application per person per year across its entire program, so choose the award that best matches your studies.
Is the scholarship renewable?
Partially. First-year recipients can receive up to $3,500, and those who reapply for a second year can receive up to $1,000.