FFA Scholarships (which stands for Future Farmers of America Scholarships) are scholarships designed for agric students or students/farmers who are interested in going to school to study agriculture. These scholarships are from different organizations like schools, NGOs, private sectors, individuals, and the government. In this blog post, we shall be discussing the 8 best of these FFA scholarships.
1. Farm Credit Mid-America Scholarship
Farm Credit Mid-Customer America’s Agricultural Scholarship applications are now being accepted through the end of December. Students who are the children or grandchildren of Farm Credit Mid-America customers and are enrolled in accredited two- or four-year colleges, universities, or vocational/trade schools in Fall 2024 will receive $1,500 scholarships. Seniors in high school and college are encouraged to apply.
One of the most important ways we can all invest in agriculture’s future is to invest in people, particularly students who will become tomorrow’s agricultural industry leaders and who exhibit strong academics, leadership, community involvement, and vision.
Over a two-year period, the Farm Credit Mid-America Scholars program provides $5,000 in scholarship support. It also includes leadership and financial development workshops. Farm Credit Mid-America is seeking the next generation of leaders who want to make a difference in agriculture to join their 2024 cohort.
Candidates must be rising sophomores or rising juniors in the fall of 2024, studying agriculture at a university in IN, OH, KY, or TN. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 is required.
2. National FFA Scholarship
Scholarships are available from the National FFA Scholarship Organization to members who plan to continue their education after high school. Through the National FFA Scholarship Foundation, businesses and individuals sponsor scholarships.
Scholarships are available to match a wide range of skills, experiences, career goals, and plans for further education. Each year, approximately $2 million in scholarship funds are available.
3. The William H. Coley FFA Scholarship
A student who has finished the first year of study at a four-year institution will receive the William H. Coley Scholarship, which was established in his honor.
The candidate may also be enrolled in a two-year college (community college) with the goal of transferring to a four-year university to finish their degree.
Graduates from Mt. Juliet or Wilson Central High Schools are eligible to apply, with preference given to those majoring in agriculture.
Also given preference are candidates who participated actively in the FFA while in high school and were enrolled in agricultural education.
The winner will be chosen based on academic success, leadership ability, and financial need.
Individuals from Mt. Juliet and Wilson Central High Schools will choose candidates on a schedule that will be decided locally. At the recipient’s former high school’s annual FFA parent/member banquet, a presentation revealing the recipient’s name will be made.
4. MSRA Jim Gracie Memorial Scholarship
The Jim Gracie Memorial Scholarship is now accepting applications through the Maryland Stream Restoration Association (MSRA).
Jim was a pioneer in the restoration of streams and the preservation of cold water. He was a founding member and previous president of the MSRA and a lifelong fly fisherman. He was born and raised in Baltimore. He committed more than four decades of his life to advancing stream restoration and enhancing our watersheds through policy, outreach, and education, and industry development.
All students may apply for the Jim Gracie Memorial Scholarship, but Maryland and Virginia’s residents are given preference. Applicants must be pursuing degrees or other training in fields that support environmental sciences, stream restoration, and the preservation of natural resources.
Candidates should be enrolled in a degree-seeking program or a training program for these fields, and they should be able to demonstrate their love of nature and the natural environment.
The winning applicant should be able to explain in their application how they relate to the environment, how their field of interest and course of study aligns with the principles Jim upholds, and how winning the scholarship will aid them in achieving their academic and professional objectives. Please visit the scholarship provider’s website to learn more or to apply.
5. Apprentice Ecologist Scholarship
Since 1999, tens of thousands of young volunteers—kids, teens, and college-age youth—from all over the world have participated in environmental cleanup and conservation projects through the Apprentice Ecologist Initiative (officially recognized by the U.S. EPA). Numerous accolades from the City of Albuquerque, a “Best Community Impact” award from Eastern Kentucky University, and mention on thousands of websites all go to this program.
The Apprentice Ecologist Initiative aims to empower young people to rebuild the environmental and social well-being of our communities, to elevate youth into leadership roles by involving them in environmental cleanup and conservation projects, and to improve local living conditions for both citizens and wildlife through education, activism, and action.
The applicants’ own environmental stewardship project is required: Digitally capture your project in action with a few pictures. Create an essay about your project and what it meant to you. Register on the website of the scholarship provider. Upload your essay and your favorite project photo.
6. The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement Scholarship
The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement is launching a new scholarship program as part of Farm Credit’s centennial celebration. Ten scholarships worth $10,000 each will be given to students who want to work in agriculture. Unsure if you meet the requirements? Agriculture is more than just farming. Check out our video to learn more about the promising future of the agricultural sector and to see if you qualify to join the #OtherSideOfAg.
Scholarships are available from the Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement to high school seniors and students enrolled in two- or four-year higher education programs who intend to work in agriculture. It’s not necessary to be a farmer to qualify; other professions that qualify include food scientists, veterinarians, agricultural educators, and even Farm Credit loan officers!
7. TAAE Scholarship
The Taylor Marceau TAAE Scholarship is available to any student who graduates from a Texas Alternative Education program each school year and wishes to attend college or vocational school. During the annual TAAE Conference, two $1,000 scholarships will be awarded.
8. FarmHouse Fraternity FFA Scholarship
All applicants or nominees must be initiated FarmHouse Fraternity members (except for the Lloyd scholarship, which is open to female legacies of FarmHouse men), enrolled at a university hosting a FarmHouse chapter, carrying a schedule typical for their classification, living in the chapter house if an undergraduate and space is available, or in the city where the university is located if a graduate student, and have a grade point average greater than or equal to the chapters.
In order to receive the full scholarship, recipients must maintain the aforementioned criteria for the academic year in which it is awarded. To apply for a scholarship, simply fill out the form below or print out the PDF version and mail it in.
FAQ
As membership and the number of chapters increase, so does interest in FFA and agricultural education. Texas, California, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee are the top five student membership states.
The American FFA Degree is the highest honor bestowed upon FFA members who have exemplified the highest level of commitment to FFA and achieved significant accomplishments in their supervised agricultural experience.
Scholarships. The Texas FFA Association is pleased to award more than $1 million in scholarships to deserving FFA members each year. Scholarships honor members’ academic achievements as well as their involvement in FFA programs and activities.