Agriculture is the backbone of the Illinois economy.
According to Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois State Treasurer, agriculture is the backbone of the economy in Illinois. Because the field of agricultural plays such an important role in the well-being of the state, there are a number of organizations (including the state Treasurer's Office) that provide financial aid in the form of scholarships to students who pursue agricultural education in Illinois.
Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship
The Illinois State Treasurer's Office provides the Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program each year for Illinois students who pursue agricultural education at an Illinois college or university. The program has awarded more than $125,000 to students entering fields related to agriculture, including crop and livestock production, engineering and animal science. The program awards $2,000 scholarships to 10 Illinois high school seniors who will pursue a college degree in an agriculture-related field at an Illinois college or university. Scholarships can be used toward tuition, books and room/board.
Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.75 and have been accepted to an accredited Illinois college or university to pursue an agriculture-related major. Applications include a statement of goals and plans, an essay explaining why the student wants to pursue agriculture, a high school transcript and list of extracurricular activities and two letters of reference.
Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation
Each year, the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts presents the George McKibben Memorial Scholarship to students pursuing higher education in an agriculture-related field. The scholarship provides $500 to a junior or senior in any state college in Illinois.
Students who receive the memorial scholarship demonstrate agricultural academic achievement and commitment to conservation, innovation and leadership in the agricultural field. Applicants must be enrolled in full-time work and must have a minimum grade point average of 3.2. Applicants must provide their latest transcripts, as well as educational plans and goals, extracurricular activities and character references.
Students submit applications to their local soil and water conservation district and are then nominated for the award based upon application information, academic achievement, commitment, innovation and leadership.
Farm Credit Services of Illinois
The Farm Credit Services of Illinois offers scholarships worth $1,000 to a number of Illinois high school seniors who are bound for college to pursue an agriculture-related curriculum.
Applicants must be legal residents of one of the 60 counties in Illinois that are represented by the Farm Credit Services of Illinois. Students applying for the scholarship must complete the registration form and supply their latest high school transcript, one letter of recommendation and a head and shoulders photograph.
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