Western Reserve Herb Society Horticulture Scholarship
Scholarship Sponsored by Western Reserve Herb Society
Introduction
The Western Reserve Herb Society funds Plant Science scholarships for undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor’s degree. These awards support students who have completed their sophomore year and are currently enrolled at an accredited college or university in the United States. Applicants must hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2.
Eligibility
- Completed the second (sophomore) year of undergraduate study and currently enrolled in a bachelor’s program.
- Attendance at an accredited college or university in the United States.
- Minimum GPA: 3.2.
Available Awards
- Western Reserve Herb Society (National) Plant Science Scholarships: two (2) awards of $4,000 each. Open to eligible students at accredited U.S. institutions.
- Frances Sylvia Zverina Scholarship (Ohio only): restricted to students enrolled at an accredited institution within the state of Ohio. There will be two (2) awards of $4,500 each. Ohio applicants are automatically considered for the National scholarship as well. Students attending colleges or universities in Ohio will be reviewed for both the National and the Ohio awards.
Selection Priorities
Preference is given to applicants who have:
- Completed demanding coursework in the sciences,
- Demonstrated strong commitment through extracurricular or related outside experiences, and
- Career plans that may include work in public or nonprofit sectors, education, sustainability, or research.
Application Requirements
1) Personal Essays (two required)
- Submit two separate essays. Each essay file must include your name as a header and your name should appear in the email/subject line when uploading.
- Essay 1: Explain why you qualify for this merit-based scholarship and describe steps you are taking to reach your educational objectives.
- Essay 2: Outline your career and personal goals after graduation, relating them to your academic major.
- Attach your essays using the “Choose File” buttons in the online application form.
2) Letter of Recommendation (one required)
- Provide one letter of recommendation from an instructor. Ensure your name appears in the subject line of the recommendation.
3) Official Transcripts (for all colleges attended)
- Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended are required. Transcripts must be received by the deadline: February 28, 2026.
- Arrange for your school’s Registrar to send electronic official transcripts to: scholarship@westernreserveherbsociety.org.
- If your institution cannot transmit electronic official transcripts, request that they mail the official paper transcript to:
Western Reserve Herb Society
c/o Cleveland Botanical Garden
11030 East Blvd.
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Notes
- Ohio students are automatically considered for both the National and Frances Sylvia Zverina scholarships.
- Follow the stated naming/subject-line instructions for essays and recommendations to ensure your materials are correctly matched to your application.
For questions about submission procedures, contact the scholarship email above.