Scholarships for Agricultural Education

Help Pay Off Your College Expenses

Graduates in agricultural programs go into ranching, agribusiness, teaching, research, large-animal and veterinary sciences, and land management and conservation. There are careers awaiting on the family farm or in companies or organizations focused on a range of specialties within the industry. If you are interested in majoring in this area but require some financial assistance to reach your goals, here are some options to consider:

National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE)

The NAAE is a federation of state agricultural educators associations focusing on three areas: advocacy for agricultural education, professional development, and recruitment and retention of current agriculture educators. It is divided into six geographical regions across the country.

• Through the Delmar Cengage Learning-NAAE Upper Division Scholarship program, 15 scholarships in the amount of $750 each are awarded to agricultural education majors who are finishing their student teaching assignments.

• The NAAE Outstanding Young Member Award, sponsored through John Deere as a special project of the National Future Farmers of America, awards six national winners (one from each region) with a paid round-trip package to the NAAE convention, an engraved plaque and other special rewards. NAAE members who have completed between three and five years of teaching, are eligible to apply.

• The organization also recognizes agriculture teachers, mentors and leaders, as well as innovative programs, through various awards.

  

National Future Farmers of America (FFA)

The National FFA has been laying the foundation for agricultural research and education since its beginnings in 1928. The FFA offers more than 1,000 scholarships totaling $1.9 million for a diverse array of applicants and field of interests for FFA members. However, there are scholarships available through special support and sponsorship for non-members, who must still apply with an FFA form.

University of Idaho, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Students in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences can peruse a listing of more than 100 scholarships totaling approximately $450,000 for areas of study ranging from soil conservation and land management to animal studies. There are scholarships available for almost every niche, from education to multicultural scholars to study abroad. Many are not based on financial need, while others are. Some have strict grade-point average requirements, others do not.

University of Florida, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication

UF is an historically agriculturally focused university. Its Department of Agricultural Education and Communication offers the following:

• Florida Cattle Women provides a $1,000 scholarship to a student majoring in communication and leadership development or agricultural education. Applicants must have earned a six-hour Master of Beef Advocacy degree.
• Through the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program, up to 25 fellowships are awarded annually for Ph.D.-seeking African-American and Hispanic students to study at participating Florida universities, including UF. Each award provides annual tuition up to $5,000 for each of five academic years, plus an annual stipend of $12,000.

Oklahoma State University, Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership

There are several scholarships available through the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, in addition to the Department scholarships specifically tailored for students pursuing a degree in agricultural education at OSU.

• William E. Brown Memorial Scholarship is a $500 award that goes to a freshman student majoring in agricultural education and is based on financial need.
• Leonard Hunter Memorial Scholarship awards $2,500 awarded annually to an agricultural education student in financial need with a strong academic record.
• Don and Wilma Dean Ramsey Scholarship is a $500 award for an undergraduate agricultural education student with plans to teach.
• OAETA (Oklahoma Agricultural Education Teachers Association) Student Teacher Scholarship awards $100 to five seniors who are preparing for their student teaching experience in both fall and spring.
• Agricultural Education Scholarship provides $1,000 to $1,500 in funding per semester for incoming freshmen, transfer and continuing students. Scholarship recipients are chosen on the basis of academic ability, leadership ability, and financial need. Approximately $25,000 is awarded annually.
• There are scholarship opportunities in partnership with the Oklahoma CareerTech Foundation.

Penn State, Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education

Penn State’s Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education offers a wide range of scholarships of varying value, including:

• Frank Anthony Scholarship in agricultural and extension education for undergraduate students who have achieved superior academic records or show promise of outstanding academic success. Preference is given to incoming first-year students with documented financial need and they must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5.
• Allen L. and Richard H. Baker Memorial 4-H Scholarship goes to a first-year undergraduate who is or has been a 4-H club member for a recipient who plans to work with youth following graduation.
• Henry S. Brunner Outstanding Senior Award for majors who have reached seventh semester standing during the spring semester, achieved a GPA of 2.5, and are active participants in the Penn State Collegiate FFA Program.
• Samuel M. and Joan B. Curtis 4-H and FFA Award goes graduate and undergraduate students majoring in agricultural and extension dducation who were active in the Pennsylvania 4-H or FFA program during high school.
• Boyd C. Gartley Memorial Scholarship for full-time undergraduate majors in Agricultural Education who have expressed an interest in agricultural journalism, have completed at least two semesters of study, and have documented financial need.
• David R. McClay Agricultural Education Award is open to full-time students enrolled as a agricultural education major who have satisfactory academic standing and documented financial need.
•  Grant M. Miller Memorial Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students who are majoring in agricultural education who have declared an interest in teaching or who are majoring in wildlife and fisheries.
• Dennis and Janet Scanlon Trustee Scholarships go to undergraduate majors in the department who have a demonstrated financial need.