Agribusiness Scholarships for Agriculture Students
Agribusiness Scholarships
Students interested in studying agribusiness will find there are numerous agribusiness scholarships for agriculture students available to assist them with funding their education. The United Agribusiness League & United Agricultural Benefit Trust Scholarship Program is just one such scholarship. Almost $800,000 has been awarded in scholarship funds through this program since 1989. Prior scholarship winners have gone on to work in international sales, market development, management, government and foreign trade. Other students have even pursued graduate studies.
In 2012, more than $55,000 will be available in scholarship funds from UAL. In order to be eligible for these Ag scholarships, students must be currently residing in the United States, Mexico or Canada. In addition, applicants must also be affiliated with UABT or UAL through a member or the employee of a member. While many students who apply for agribusiness scholarships may plan to study that field, the agriculture scholarships are actually open to any major field of study. The deadline to apply is March 31st.
The mission of the United Agribusiness League is to unite businesses involved in agriculture through the provision of benefits, economic solutions and services on a domestic as well as international level. UAL began with just six members in 1980 and since that time has expanded to include more than 1,100 agricultural employees and dozens of agricultural trade associations.
Other agribusiness scholarships include the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program. This program is the result of a partnership between the 1890 Black Land-Grant Universities and the Department of Agriculture (USDA.) Through the program, scholarships are awarded to students who will be attending one of the 1890 Historically Black Land-Grand Universities. Students must be pursuing a degree in natural resources, agriculture, nutrition, food science or a related discipline. In addition, students must be willing to work for the USDA following graduation.
Each agriculture scholarship award provides yearly tuition as well as employee benefits, employment, use of a laptop computer, software and printer. Lab and activity fees, room and board and books are also included in the scholarship. Annual scholarship renewal is based upon satisfactory performance. One year of service to the USDA is required for each year of financial support. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors up through college juniors. College students not attending a 1890 University who receive the scholarship must be willing to transfer.
High school students who live in an area which is serviced by 1st Farm Credit Services may wish to apply for the company’s agricultural scholarship. The scholarship is specifically offered to assist student in pursuing an education in agriculture or a rural life-related field of study. Applications for the scholarship become available in mid-December and are accepted through February 15th. Known as the “At the Heart Of A Growing America” scholarship, this program offers up to 24 scholarships. Each scholarship has a value of $1,000. The scholarships are awarded to students residing in the company’s 42-county services territory.
Agribusiness scholarships are also awarded through the Future Farmers of America with their FFA cholarships. The FFA National Collegiate Scholarship programs are available to all high school students and college students who are members of FFA. Scholarship funds may be used to pay for tuition as well as books, supplies, fees and accommodation expenses. GPA and academic ranking are taken into consideration in the awarding of scholarships, along with other factors such as FFA participation, community service and leadership skills. Approximately $2 million in scholarship funds is awarded each year through the National FFA organization. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is February 15th.
American Agri-women and the Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarships offers multiple scholarships each year to ranch and farm women, as well as their daughters to assist in defraying the cost of tuition of studies related to agriculture. The DAA offers $1,000 scholarships in two categories. The Jean Ibendahl Scholarship is awarded to students ages 18-23, while the Sister Thomas More Bertels Scholarship is awarded to students who are aged 24+. Applicants for these agribusiness scholarships must demonstrate financial need. All applications must be received by no later than June 1st. For more go to United Agribusiness League & United Agricultural Benefit Trust Scholarship Program.
