Closed
$10,000–$25,000
5 Award Winners
Application Open Date
1/18/2023
Application Deadline
5/18/2023
Eligible Grades
College Sophomore – College Senior
Explore Similar Scholarships

Next Generation Scholarship

Funded by
National Retail Federation Foundation
Closed
$10,000–$25,000
5 Award Winners
Scholarship Open Date
1/18/2023
Scholarship Close Date
5/18/2023
Eligible Grades
College Sophomore – College Senior
Explore Similar Scholarships

The Next Generation Scholarship aims at supporting students with an interest in pursuing a career in the retail field. The program offers one award of $25,000 and four awards of $10,000 to selected students. The selection is done through a two-phased process, interested students can apply latest by May.

The NRF is the largest retail trade association in the country and works for the betterment of the retail sector through various initiatives. The Next Generation Scholarship is applicable for junior or senior students, enrolled in any program including business, marketing, accounting, and related fields.

The program aims to select top performers, with creative ideas for the retail industry and prior working or internship experience. The students need to submit an essay, recommendation letter, resume, transcripts, personal brand video, and a headshot in the first phase. Twenty-five students will be selected and will go through further interviews and an assigned project. From there ten applicants will be chosen and have to do another interview. The 5 finalists will then be chosen.

Scholarship Summary

The Next Generation Scholarship aims at supporting students with an interest in pursuing a career in the retail field. The program offers one award of $25,000 and four awards of $10,000 to selected students. The selection is done through a two-phased process, interested students can apply latest by May.

The NRF is the largest retail trade association in the country and works for the betterment of the retail sector through various initiatives. The Next Generation Scholarship is applicable for junior or senior students, enrolled in any program including business, marketing, accounting, and related fields.

The program aims to select top performers, with creative ideas for the retail industry and prior working or internship experience. The students need to submit an essay, recommendation letter, resume, transcripts, personal brand video, and a headshot in the first phase. Twenty-five students will be selected and will go through further interviews and an assigned project. From there ten applicants will be chosen and have to do another interview. The 5 finalists will then be chosen.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Eligible Grade: College Sophomore – College Senior
  • Maximum Age: Any
  • Required GPA: 3.0
  • Geographic Eligibility: United States
  • Gender: Any
  • Race/Ethnicity: Any

Key Information of Next Generation Scholarship

Study Details

Area of Study

Any

Country of Study

United States

Specific Schools

Any

Application Requirements

Here’s what you need to submit besides your application.

  • Essay
  • Recommendation letters
  • Grade transcript

Next Generation Scholarship Timeline

January 18, 2023

Application Opening Date

The applications open in January.

May 2, 2023

Submission Deadline for Phase One

The applicants need to submit their essays, personal brand videos, and other required documents before this date.

May 26, 2023

Announcement for Next Stage

The selection panel will select up to 25 students for the next round, who then will be assigned company projects.

August 8, 2023

Submission Deadline for Phase Two

The students have to complete their company interview and project before this date.

August 29, 2023

Announcement of Top 10

The 10 students selected for the next round will be notified.

September 8-9, 2023

Interviews

The selected students will go through an interview process for the next stage.

September 15, 2023

Announcement of Top 5

The 5 finalists will be selected and notified.

How to ace the Next Generation Scholarship

1

Maintain above par grades

Try and maintain a GPA that's above the minimum requirement.

2

Get feedback on your résumé and essay

In the first phase, the applicants need to submit an essay and résumé. Research online on best practices and take feedback from seniors and professionals for best results.

3

Boost your retail credentials

As at least one working or internship experience is required for application, you can increase your chances by getting involved in another one, from a different industry to diversify your experience. Also, enroll in retail-related courses and submit the certifications.

4

Get online help for your video

You may not have created a personal brand video before, so you need to study the essentials before creating one. There are many online tutorials and resources available online, check it out but stick to the articles suggested on the website and use the recommended tools.

How the Next Generation Scholarship is Judged

The students will be judged on their passion and ability for leadership, with a focus on retail. The judges will take into account the essays, resume, personal branding video, and performance throughout the selection process to find top applicants.

Why We Love the Next Generation Scholarship

1

It’s focused on retail

The scholarship aims to develop future leaders in the retail industry, so students with interest and expertise in this area have a great opportunity.

2

A the selection process is thorough

Along with the award, the process itself, with the numerous interviews and projects, offers a great experience for applicants, which will help them in their professional careers.

3

They provide detailed instructions and guidelines

The guidelines for the essay, video, and other requirements are quite clear. The website also provides helpful links and also tools to be used.

5 Facts About the NRF Foundation

01.

It’s a part of the NRF

The NRF Foundation is part of the National Retail Federation, the largest retail trade association in the world.

02.

They have many initiatives for the industry

The NRF Foundation is currently running various initiatives to help improve the retail sector in the country and support students interested in the industry.

03.

Over 100 educational institutions in the fold

The NRF University Member Schools feature more than 100 universities and colleges in the U.S. The member schools are provided with supportive content, scholarships, and other programs.

04.

They offer other scholarships and training programs

The NRF Foundation’s support is not limited to Next Generation Scholarship. One can explore several other competitions, scholarships, and training programs available on the website.

05.

NRF has an online job board

One of the NRF Foundations initiatives is the NRF Job Board. It helps recruiters and job seekers from the retail sector to connect and find the best alternatives.