Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program

Treasurer Giannoulias honors the 2006-07 scholarship recipients at the Illinois State Fair in Springfield.


2007-08 Academic Year

Dear Illinois Students,

I commend you for pursuing a career in agriculture. The Illinois economy depends on farmers who harvest large-field crops like corn and soybeans and entrepreneurs who cultivate pumpkin patches and vineyards. World leaders are depending on the next generation of agriculture students to find ways to meet the basic food, fiber and fuel needs for their growing populations.

The Illinois State Treasurer's Office is doing its part to help the next wave of agriculture professionals through the Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program. The office has awarded $75,000 in scholarships to rural and urban students who are pursuing careers in crop and livestock production, agri-business, agriculture research and alternative agriculture at Illinois colleges and universities.

I am excited to announce the 2007-08 Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program will honor twice as many students as in years past. Ten outstanding applicants will receive $2,500 scholarships to pursue agriculture or ag-related studies.

I encourage you to complete the application below and to submit it with the required materials, including an essay identifying the reasons you want to pursue a career in agriculture. Winners will receive a notification letter by May 30, 2008.

I look forward to reading about your goals for the future and wish you the best of luck in your endeavors.

Sincerely,
Alexi Giannoulias
Illinois State Treasurer

Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program
Beginning in 2008, 10 $2,500 scholarships will be awarded annually to Illinois high school seniors who plan to pursue a college degree and career in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. Scholarship recipients are selected by a panel of Illinois agriculture agency representatives. Winners are notified in writing by the Treasurer's Office prior to May 30, 2008 and will be honored at the Illinois State Fair.

Scholarship Terms
Scholarship funds are restricted to the payment of tuition, books and/or room and board to an Illinois educational institution. Recipients are not prohibited from pursuing or accepting other forms of financial aid, assistantship, scholarship or tuition waiver. The Treasurer's Office will deposit the $2,500 into a Bright Start College Savings account accessible to the parent(s) of a scholarship winner.

Scholarship Criteria
Applicants must be:

  • A high school senior with a minimum 2.75 GPA in 2007-08
  • A resident of Illinois
  • Accepted at an accredited higher education institution in Illinois by May 15, 2008
  • Pursuing an agriculture or agriculture-related major

Scholarship Applications
An application must be postmarked on or before May 15, 2008 and must be submitted with the following:

  • A typed essay (minimum 250 words) identifying the reason(s) you want to pursue a career in agriculture or an agriculture-related field
  • An official high school transcript
  • Two letters of reference, including one from a non-school source
  • A list of extracurricular activities and honors
  • A statement of goals and future plans

Application Form
Print out an application form here and submit it to the provided address.

Congratulations to the 2007 winners!

Jessica Collins of Flanagan, Livingston County, University of Illinois, Agricultural Education

Race Higgins of Morris, Grundy County, University of Illinois, Crops Sciences

Miranda Morgan of Salem, Marion County, Rend Lake College, Agriculture Business
Whitney Phillips of Rushville, Schuyler County, University of Illinois, Agricultural Economics
Michael Routh of Sparland, Marshall County, Illinois Central College, Horticulture

For more information, contact the State Treasurer’s Office at (217) 557-6436.

 
   

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