In an effort to support budding garden professionals in southern Washington, the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County (MGFTC) offers scholarships through two programs:

MGFTC Scholarship in Horticulture to South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC)

Each year the MGFTC board budgets $1000 for this scholarship to SPSCC.  Additional $1000 scholarships may be financed through donations to the scholarship program.

The scholarship criteria include the following:

·         First preference is given to a recent Thurston County high school graduate in horticulture.

·         Full-time students currently enrolled in the SPSCC Horticulture program with a minimum 3.0 GPA are given subsequent consideration.

·         The scholarship is based on commitment to a career in horticulture, consideration of financial need, and recommendations from the SPSCC Horticulture faculty.

·         The recipient is expected to attend the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County annual meeting in October.

There is no limit as to how many scholarships the MGFTC can sponsor, but $1000 is the minimum funding level for each scholarship.  If you would like to be part of this rewarding program and give the gift of knowledge, any donation amount is welcome.  Donations are held in a special fund until a minimum total of $1000 is received.  Each fall, monies are transferred to SPSCC for as many multiples of $1000 as are available that year.   This past year the scholarship amount was $1200, including contributions by individuals.

If you would like to donate to this worthwhile program, send your check to:

MGFTC

4131 Mud Bay Road

Olympia, WA 98502

Please note “scholarship” on your check.  Remember, your donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

If you have any questions about the SPSCC scholarship program, please email SPSCCscholarship@mgftc.org

Additional SPSCC scholarship information, including the application process, can be found at:

          Student Financial Services, Building 25, First Floor

(360) 596-5232

and on the web at:  http://www.spscc.ctc.edu/alumni-and-donors/foundation/scholarship 

Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State Scholarships (Thurston County)

The Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State offers two $1000 scholarships every year to students who are accepted by a recognized accredited college/university and are planning a course of study in horticultural, botanical, or strongly related fields.  High school seniors and other students of any age who are entering a college/university full time for the first time are eligible.

Students apply to their county Master Gardener Foundation, and one representative from each county is recommended for the statewide scholarship.

This year, the Master Gardener Foundation of Thurston County (MGFTC) is offering an additional $250 scholarship as incentive for application. The winner of this scholarship will be the automatic recommendation from Thurston County for the statewide scholarship.  The $250 scholarship will be awarded whether or not the candidate goes on to win one of the $1000 MGFWS scholarships.

The requirements, application process, and award criteria for the Washington State Master Gardener Foundation scholarships are described in detail on the MGFWS website.

The Thurston County application is available here.  Applicants in Thurston County should submit their application materials to:

Master Gardener Scholarship Committee
4131 Mud Bay Road
Olympia, WA 98502 MG

The deadline for submission is March 19, 2010

A Thurston County scholarship committee will screen applicants. The selected application will be forwarded to the Master Gardener Foundation of Washington State Awards Committee by April 1, 2010 for final selection.

The requirements for the MGFTC award are the same as for the MGFWS scholarships, and application to Thurston County and state scholarships is made simultaneously. 

If you have any questions about the process in Thurston County, e-mail MGFWSscholarship@mgftc.org.