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The NRF Foundation Retail Store Management Scholarship supported by CVS Health Foundation®, introduces students to store leadership careers and the opportunities to manage teams, serve customers and strengthen communities within the retail industry.
If you are an undergraduate college student, in a four-year college program or in a two-year community college program, with an interest in retail store management, you could earn a $10,000 tuition scholarship and a trip to New York City to attend NRF NXT.
By attending this conference, you will have the opportunity to meet with CVS Health along with recruiters from a variety of brands hiring for both internships and entry-level roles, hear from top leaders and executives in the industry, and explore the most exciting store locations in NYC.
Submit your application by October 13, 2026 for the opportunity to earn a $10,000 tuition scholarship and attend NRF NXT in New York City.
The NRF Foundation Retail Store Management Scholarship supported by CVS Health Foundation application consists of a written statement, a short video response to a choice of prompts, a resume, and an unofficial transcript to verify enrollment.
Before starting the application, ensure you meet all of the following qualifications.
Enrolled full-time at a fully accredited U.S. college, university or a community college.
Undergraduate level: sophomore, junior or senior in a four-year college program, or a first or second-year undergraduate student enrolled in a community college in January 2027.
Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Legal U.S. citizen or resident over 18 years of age.
Demonstrated financial need, as verified by the submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Have not previously attended NRF NXT (formerly the NRF Foundation Student Program) through an NRF Foundation scholarship and have not previously received a tuition scholarship of $10,000 or more from the NRF Foundation.
Must be available to attend the full NRF NXT (formerly the NRF Foundation Student Program), Jan. 7-10, 2027, in NYC.
No affiliation with CVS Health, its Foundation or its subsidiaries or with NRF or the NRF Foundation.
International students, at a US based college / university, may apply as long as all other eligibility requirements are met.
The scholarship will open for applications on August 24, 2026, and close on October 13, 2026.
Students will be notified of their application status and selection by November 20, 2026.
Compose a written statement in response to the following question (maximum of 500 words):
Describe your interest in the retail industry and store leadership opportunities. What motivated you to apply for this scholarship, and what excites you about retail stores? What role do they play in your community and what makes them important?
Select one of the following prompts and record your answer in a 2-to-3-minute video. We ask that you be in front of the camera for a minimum of 30 seconds. There are no other format requirements, so you can be creative.
Begin your video with a brief introduction of yourself, then respond to the prompt of your choice:
What excites you most about the opportunity to lead in a store environment, and what do you believe would make you an effective store leader?
Managing a retail store requires an entrepreneurial spirit tell us why you’re interested in being responsible for a running and operating a store.
As a store manager, why is it important to support the needs of your community, including customers and team members, and how would you create an environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and included in your store?
Focus on sound quality and consistency throughout your video and identify locations with low background noise. We are not looking for professional videography, but we must be able to clearly see and hear you throughout your entire video.
You must upload a current resume as part of your application materials.
You must upload a copy of your college transcript (does not have to be official transcripts) to verify your enrollment.
You will be contacted directly by the NRF Foundation regarding the status of your application. Our goal is to notify all students by November 20.
Students will be notified if they are selected. If you are selected to attend, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions to register. Hotel accommodation will be reserved on your behalf.
If you are selected to attend, the information you submit will be used to assist in securing your travel arrangements. Please provide your personal details as they are written on your travel documents.
