Horticulture Scholarships Jump to $2,500 in Southeast

Students studying horticulture in the Southeast have something to celebrate this spring as scholarship opportunities just got bigger and better.

The Sidney B. Meadows Scholarship Endowment Fund announced it's raising individual scholarship awards from $2,000 to $2,500 for 2026. The fund plans to award 12 scholarships this year, putting $30,000 into the pockets of students pursuing careers in ornamental horticulture and related fields.

The scholarships support juniors, seniors, and graduate students enrolled in accredited programs at four-year institutions across 16 southeastern states. Applications are open through May 31, 2026, and previous recipients can apply for a second award.

In a move that makes life easier for busy students, the fund partners with the Horticultural Research Institute to offer a common application. That means students can apply for multiple scholarship programs at once instead of filling out endless forms.

The Ripple Effect

Since 1989, when the Southern Nursery Association created the fund, it has awarded over $670,000 to students. That's decades of future landscape designers, nursery owners, plant breeders, and horticulture educators getting the financial support they needed to finish their degrees.

The scholarship honors Sidney B. Meadows, a horticultural leader who believed student aid was the most important investment in the industry's future. His vision continues to pay dividends as each scholarship recipient enters the green industry with less debt and more opportunity.

The timing couldn't be better as the horticulture industry faces workforce challenges nationwide. Every scholarship creates a pathway for passionate students to transform their love of plants into sustainable careers.

Students interested in applying can find full eligibility requirements and the application at the fund's website, or contact the organization directly at info@sbmsef.org.