Albert James Bert Shoosmith Scholarship Application

Albert James (Bert) Shoosmith Scholarship Application

Albert James (Bert) Shoosmith Scholarship Program was established by Virginia Nursery & Landscape Association in 2003 to help students working toward their first undergraduate degree. VNLA will award scholarships of $1,500 to two or more students enrolled in a college or university for the next academic year and two or more scholarships of $750 to students enrolled in 2-year community college program. The scholarship may not exceed costs of education billed by the school. Scholarship money will be paid directly to the school.

Albert James (Bert) Shoosmith’s father, Fred Shoosmith, was one of the founding fathers of the VNLA in 1931. Bert Shoosmith was one of the founding fathers of the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers in 1960 and the Middle Atlantic Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society. He was sowing seeds at age five and worked a hoe at eight. He was a Nurseryman, Landscape Architect and Grower of unusual cultivars of rhododendron and broadleaf evergreens. “One of my greatest pleasures is a walk in my garden at home in the cool of the evening,” he said. It was his wish that part of his estate be used to fund three or more horticulture scholarships each year.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Applicant must be a graduating high school senior or equivalent, or a college student (rising freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) taking at least nine credit hours per semester at an accredited college or university for the next academic year. Applicant may be in an undergraduate program or in an associate's degree program at a community college. Graduate students are not eligible.

2. Applicant must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA).

3. Applicant must be majoring in horticulture or related agricultural curriculum.

4. Preference will be given first to Virginia residents attending a Virginia 2-year or 4-year college program.

5. VNLA officers, directors, committee members, and their families are not eligible. Previous winners are also not eligible.

Requirements for Application Package:

Failure to follow instructions may disqualify you.

1. Do not send in any part of the application package separately except for your transcript.

2. Do not include any extra materials.

3. Do not staple any part of application - please use paper clips.

Scholarship applications will not be considered unless all required information is received by April 15 of each year. Faxes will not be accepted.

It is the applicant's responsibility to see that all information, including transcripts, is received by the VNLA scholarship administrator by the April 15 deadline. VNLA will not be responsible for lost or misdirected mail.

Applicant must submit:

1. An OFFICIAL high school or college transcript for the most recently completed semester. Transcripts must be received by the VNLA scholarship administrator directly from the school in a sealed stamped envelope BEFORE the April 15 deadline.

2. An original plus two (2) copies of the following:

a. Completed Bert Shoosmith Scholarship application (included below).

b. Typed, double-spaced essay.

Essay may be a maximum of 500 words:

Describe why this VNLA scholarship is important to you. Include any special challenges or goals you may have. Explain other financial responsibilities or expenses.

Selection Criteria:

Applicants will be evaluated on scholastic achievement and strength of curriculum, school activities, volunteer service, hours devoted to work, honors and awards, student need and the essay.

Awarding of Scholarships:

Decisions are made by the VNLA Public Relations Director in conjunction with the VNLA Executive Director and Education Director. All decisions will be final. Applicants will be notified by mail.

BEFORE MAILING:

Sign and date the application.

Include an original plus two (2) copies of completed application and an original plus two (2) copies of each essay.

Request an official transcript to be mailed to VNLA Scholarship Administrator by your school in a sealed, stamped envelope.

All applications and transcripts must be received by April 15.

Return to:

VNLA Scholarship Administrator

383 Coal Hollow Rd

Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721

Information: Call the VNLA Public Relations Director via the VNLA Executive Director's Office at (540) 382-0943 or 1-800-476-0055. info@vnla.org

Application Deadline: April 15

Albert James (Bert) Shoosmith Scholarship Application

Please type or print all information. Scholarship applications are current only for the academic year submitted.

See attached eligibility requirements and instructions before you complete the application. FAILURE TO FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS MAY RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING DISQUALIFIED.

Name Email Address:

Address:

City: State Zip:

Home Phone: Daytime Phone

Date of Birth: Student Identification Number:

High school or college you now attend:

If you are currently attending a high school, does your high school have a weighted grading system to determine grade point average (check with your counselor if you are unsure)? Yes No

Cumulative GPA (must be at least 3.0)

Are you working to obtain your first: Undergraduate degree? Associate’s degree

Date you plan to complete your program/graduate?

College or university you plan to attend?

Number of hours per semester you plan to take: Field of study/major:

Class you will be in for the next academic year? Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior

PLEASE USE ONLY THE SPACE PROVIDED. DO NOT INCLUDE EXTRA MATERIALS.

A. List school activities, including athletics and club memberships, and community service including social, church, and volunteer.

B. List honors, awards, scholarships or grants you have received.

C. List work experience. Include any job (including summer employment) you held during the past three years.

I certify that the information in this application and all accompanying documents are true and correct. I also certify that I personally answered all questions and wrote the essay relating to this scholarship application. I understand that if for any reason I discontinue my studies I must notify the VNLA within 10 days. I also understand that I must be enrolled for at least nine credit hours per semester to receive scholarship payments if awarded. I agree that the VNLA may use my name and possibly a photograph (furnished by recipient) for publicity purposes.

Return to: VNLA Scholarship Administrator

383 Coal Hollow Rd

Christiansburg, VA 24073-6721