Scholarships for Weed Science

Your Skills Can Pay the Bills

Weeds are plants growing in the wrong place, and they can be a drag if you are the caretaker of the lawn. But they are more than a simple nuisance: Invasive weeds can have devastating effects on crops and entire ecosystems. If you have ever pondered why weeds are tough competitors, you may want to consider majoring in weed science. Graduates in this field can find employment in such areas as crop consulting, farm management, marketing of herbicides and fertilizers, and conducting research for companies or universities.

Scholarship assistance is available for students majoring in this area.

Specialized Organizations

The American Society of Agronomy

The American Society of Agronomy in Wisconsin shares a close relationship with the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) though they are separate organizations. Separately, the organizations offer more than 30 awards. Combined, the groups oversee eight scholarships. Here are a few:

• J. Fielding Reed Scholarship, $1,000, goes to an undergraduate pursuing a career in the plant or soil science with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a history of agricultural and campus involvement.
• The Hank Beachell Future Leader Scholarship encourages undergraduates to study an area with which the applicant is unfamiliar to gain more knowledge. Two scholarships are awarded in the amount of $4,000 each for four weeks of field study. Students who have completed their sophomore year and are majoring in agronomy, crop science, soil science, or other related disciplines are eligible.
• Frank D. Keim Graduate Fellowship, $1,000, for students who have been accepted for a graduate study program in agronomy or a related field and intend to complete a graduate degree.

The California Weed Science Society (CWSS)

CWSS offers three programs to assist California students in two- or four-year colleges with an interest in weed or invasive plant management:

• Scholarships: Several up to $2,000 each are offered annually. The number and level of funding varies each year. Academic ability, participation in extra-curricular activities and community service, and demonstrated interest in weed management are considered.
• Internships: An award of $3,000 for an 8-week full-time internship with a University of California farm advisor or other off-campus research personnel with responsibilities in weed or invasive plant management.
•  The internship supervisor will disperse the $3,000 and may have additional funding to further support the student. Applicants for this funding will choose a potential supervisor before applying for the internship award.
• Undergraduate Research Awards: Up to $2,000 is awarded for a research project related to weed or invasive plant management. Students will need a faculty sponsor from their university for the project. The research project may be conducted under the primary supervision of other industry, USDA or off-campus university professionals. The funds can be used toward travel expenses, as a stipend to compensate for the student’s time, or for supplies.

The Idaho Weed Control Association (IWCA)

IWCA offers scholarship assistance to Idaho residents who are or will be studying at University of Idaho students, and plan to pursue a career in an area related to plant protection or weed control. Scholarship amounts vary depending on number of recipients each year. Applicants need to be a junior, senior or graduate student at the time they receive the award.

Missouri Corn Growers Association and Missouri Corn Merchandising Council

Missouri Corn programs award a total of $7,500 in student scholarships each year to deserving high school students and college juniors:

• High school applicants must be Missouri residents from a Missouri farm or rural area who plan to attend a two-year or four-year Missouri college or university and earn a major in agronomy or a related field and major in agronomy (or related subject). Each award is $750 for freshman year.
• Juniors currently attending a Missouri college or university and majoring in the filed are also eligible to apply for one of two-$750 scholarships applied to their senior year.

College Scholarships

North Dakota State University, College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources

Students majoring in weed science are eligible to apply for one of several department scholarships offered by NDSU. Most of the scholarships are merit-based. Freshman, transfer, and continuing students can fill out one application form to be considered for all scholarships offered by the department.

Texas A&M University, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

The College of Agriculture & Life Sciences at Texas A&M is the largest of its kind in the nation, with 14 different departments for specialization. Incoming freshmen and transfer students are eligible for university-wide scholarships. In addition, the College offers a host of scholarships for agronomy-related fields, such as:

• Department of Soil & Crop Sciences offers competitive merit-based scholarships for incoming freshmen and transfer students. Transfer students can earn up to $4,000 per year for two years, a total of $8,000. Students in either category must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
• Biological & Agricultural Engineering, named one of the best in the nation. offers 12 different scholarships of varying value to its students.
• Department of Ecosystem Science and Management offers 21 scholarships of varying value and academic terms.

Kansas State University, Department of Agronomy

K-State offers more than 40 scholarships for agronomy undergraduates and 23 for graduate students.

Louisiana State University, School of Plant, Environmental & Soil Sciences

Several scholarships LSU’s College of Agriculture are tailored for undergraduates and graduates in agronomy, including:

• Several Agronomy Alumni Association Scholarships, $1,000, go to undergraduates with a minimum of 30 semester hours credit. Preference goes to a Louisiana resident. Renewable through senior year.
• Several Lee and Francis Mason Agronomy Scholarships, $1,200, are awarded to incoming freshmen who have declared intention of majoring in agronomy at LSU Baton Rouge. If there are no applicable freshmen, upperclassman and graduates in the major are considered.
• Several L. W. Sloane Endowed Agronomy Scholarships, $800, are awarded to full-time majors with a financial need.