Higher Education Scholarship Program

Eligibility

Any individual pursuing a full-time, post high school education during the upcoming fall semester who demonstrates, through their career plans, experience, program of study and extracurricular activities, significant progress toward and a clear intention for a career in agriculture, forestry, commercial fishing or a related field is eligible to apply.

An associate, bachelor’s or graduate degree, as well as technical school attendance, qualifies as post high school education.

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Ag high school senior leans against farm equipment

Additional Requirements

Each candidate for the scholarship must have a permanent home address within the eight-state territory served by Farm Credit East: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. Candidates must also plan to attend post high school education in the upcoming fall semester. Applicants are eligible to win this scholarship only once.

Usage and Distribution Details

Scholarships can be used to defray the cost of tuition, room and board, books and other academic charges. Payment will be made directly to the student in June. Proof of college and photo of student suitable for publicity is to be submitted by hard copy before check will be issued. Scholarship award is merit-based.

Diversity Scholarship

Farm Credit East embraces human diversity in the world and within our own cooperative. To be considered for the Diversity Scholarship, a candidate must appropriately identify their racial/ethnic status on the application. It is not required however, that racial/ethnic status is divulged in order to be considered for a scholarship.

Deadline

The 2025 scholarship deadline is Friday, March 14, 2025. Winners will be notified in May.

Scholarship Application

Applicant Information

Name*

Phone Number*

Permanent Address*

City*

State*

ZIP code*

Local Farm Credit East Office or County/State*

Email Address*

Are you a child of a full-time Farm Credit East employee? *

Yes

Are you a previous winner of this scholarship? *

Yes

Education & Career Choice

College Attending*

Major*

Year of school you will be entering in fall 2025 (ie. freshman, sophomore, etc.)*

We are looking to award this scholarship to someone who is pursuing a career in agriculture, forestry, commercial fishing or a related field. Specifically, what career within these industries are you seeking?* Please be descriptive of your career choice (i.e., farm owner/manager, logger, agribusiness, large animal veterinarian, etc.)

Background, Experience & Extracurricular Activities

Please list items in each category below as appropriate, but do not repeat items in more than one category.

Please describe your background or current involvement with agriculture, forestry or commercial fishing.*

Please list work experience. List experience only. No descriptions, please.

Please list extracurricular activities, with an emphasis on those in agriculture, forestry or commercial fishing. List activities only. No descriptions, please.

Please list community service activities. List activities only. No descriptions, please.

Essay

In 200 words or less (minimum of 100 words), please describe your plans for pursuing a career in agriculture, forestry, commercial fishing or a related field, including your goals. Please be explicit, forward-looking and avoid repeating information already provided.*

Diversity – Optional

Information is required only to be considered for the Diversity Scholarship. Eligible minorities are in accordance with use by the Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce.

Signature

Signature*

Today’s Date*

*Required Field

By typing my name above, I hereby certify that the information I have provided in this application is accurate to the best of my knowledge. If selected, Farm Credit East has my permission to use my name and picture in publicizing this program.

Have Additional Questions?

Email us at SpecialOffers@farmcreditEast.com

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