3 answers
Kaylee
Student
Claremore, Oklahoma
1
Question
Updated
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Why aren't there many agriculture related scholarships?
I am an 18- year old high school senior, wanting to go into college for Agriculture education. Along with being in a financial stumble. Not many scholarships are related or accessible to me.
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3 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Kaylee !
Going into Agriculture as a career is a fantastic choice as it will provide you with a wide range of possible careers in different niches. You have your choice of in-state colleges to choose from, too.
The colleges in your state that offer a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture are Oklahoma State University-Main Campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. For an Associates Degree in Agriculture, you can attend Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa or Redlands Community College in El Reno and then transfer to a University for your Bachelors Degree.
When thinking about help for the financial aspect of college, first apply for Federal Student Financial Aid. For you in Oklahoma, your financial aid package would include monies in the form of grants, loans, and work study opportunities, and scholarships, You can opt to refuse the loans if you choose, but speak with your on campus Financial Aid Office about Loan Refusal to learn more about that. The scholarships may not always be federal, but many scholarships are included in financial aid packages and may be merit-based or need-based. You should complete the FAFSA application to be considered for these opportunities.
As well, once you are enrolled or know the college you will attend the actual college offers scholarships for agricultural students. A visit to the campus you will attend will answer many questions for you. Register for an orientation and tour of the campus for the opportunity to compare colleges and ask questions that the official representatives can answer.
You should also apply for general scholarships, not just ones focused on agriculture. The more you apply for the better your chances of obtaining some will increase. Other agricultural based scholarships that you can look up online about more information for are the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, the USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program, the National Corn Growers Association and BASF Corporation, the GROWMARK Foundation, The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement Scholarship, The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board Scholarship, The Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Scholarship, and The Agriculture Future of America Scholarship, Also look for scholarships through through organizations such as the National FFA Organization, American Agri-Women, and the Horticulture Research Institute, which offer scholarships based on academic achievement, leadership, and financial need.
Remember that you qualify in other categories of scholarships in addition to the ones focused on agriculture.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best !
Going into Agriculture as a career is a fantastic choice as it will provide you with a wide range of possible careers in different niches. You have your choice of in-state colleges to choose from, too.
The colleges in your state that offer a Bachelors Degree in Agriculture are Oklahoma State University-Main Campus in Stillwater, Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Eastern Oklahoma State College in Wilburton. For an Associates Degree in Agriculture, you can attend Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa or Redlands Community College in El Reno and then transfer to a University for your Bachelors Degree.
When thinking about help for the financial aspect of college, first apply for Federal Student Financial Aid. For you in Oklahoma, your financial aid package would include monies in the form of grants, loans, and work study opportunities, and scholarships, You can opt to refuse the loans if you choose, but speak with your on campus Financial Aid Office about Loan Refusal to learn more about that. The scholarships may not always be federal, but many scholarships are included in financial aid packages and may be merit-based or need-based. You should complete the FAFSA application to be considered for these opportunities.
As well, once you are enrolled or know the college you will attend the actual college offers scholarships for agricultural students. A visit to the campus you will attend will answer many questions for you. Register for an orientation and tour of the campus for the opportunity to compare colleges and ask questions that the official representatives can answer.
You should also apply for general scholarships, not just ones focused on agriculture. The more you apply for the better your chances of obtaining some will increase. Other agricultural based scholarships that you can look up online about more information for are the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program, the USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program, the National Corn Growers Association and BASF Corporation, the GROWMARK Foundation, The Farm Credit Foundation for Agricultural Advancement Scholarship, The National Dairy Promotion and Research Board Scholarship, The Women Changing the Face of Agriculture Scholarship, and The Agriculture Future of America Scholarship, Also look for scholarships through through organizations such as the National FFA Organization, American Agri-Women, and the Horticulture Research Institute, which offer scholarships based on academic achievement, leadership, and financial need.
Remember that you qualify in other categories of scholarships in addition to the ones focused on agriculture.
I hope this helps and wish you all the best !
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
1085
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Kaylee,
You can reduce the cost of your college education by starting out at a Community College before transferring to a 4-year school. Tuition at Community Colleges is usually much less than at 4-year universities. If you have already taken some dual enrollment courses for college credit, that would further reduce the cost. When you pick a university, stay in-state for lower tuition and/or look for schools that are known to give generous aid. If your stats are good, you might be able to get significant merit aid, especially if your stats are way above the average for the school.
Your first stop looking for financial aid should be the FAFSA. FAFSA gives you access to federal and state financial aid. Many colleges also use it to determine your need as well. Talk to the Financial Office at the college you want to attend too. There might be scholarships you qualify for.
For promising scholarships, look what your state and your hometown offer. Some employers also have scholarship programs for children of employees or for their own employees. Check out scholarships from professional organizations, e.g. nursing scholarships for aspiring nurses. Research companies that would hire people with the degree you want to get, e.g. big tech companies if you are going into computer science. Check if your local Chamber of Commerce or any businesses have any programs. Search for scholarships that are for certain demographics, e.g. minorities, women in STEM, tall people, twins and multiples etc.
Some useful websites for your search:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
https://scholarships360.org/
https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships/
https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-scholarships.aspx
Specifically for agriculture students in Oklahoma check out these opportunities:
Oklahoma State University: https://agriculture.okstate.edu/students/undergraduate-students/scholarships.html
Langston University: http://langston.edu/academics/school/agriculture-and-applied-sciences/scholarships/
Northwestern Oklahoma State University: https://www.nwosu.edu/forms/agriculture-department-scholarship-application
Oklahoma Agriculture Scholarships: https://www.agcareers.com/ag-education/scholarships/oklahoma/
Oklahoma Panhandle State University: https://opsu.edu/news/2024/05/panhandle-state-foundation-awards-largest-single-scholarship/
I would recommend to be strategic about it. Don't wear yourself out by applying to anything and everything. Consider the requirements and your fit for each scholarship.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
You can reduce the cost of your college education by starting out at a Community College before transferring to a 4-year school. Tuition at Community Colleges is usually much less than at 4-year universities. If you have already taken some dual enrollment courses for college credit, that would further reduce the cost. When you pick a university, stay in-state for lower tuition and/or look for schools that are known to give generous aid. If your stats are good, you might be able to get significant merit aid, especially if your stats are way above the average for the school.
Your first stop looking for financial aid should be the FAFSA. FAFSA gives you access to federal and state financial aid. Many colleges also use it to determine your need as well. Talk to the Financial Office at the college you want to attend too. There might be scholarships you qualify for.
For promising scholarships, look what your state and your hometown offer. Some employers also have scholarship programs for children of employees or for their own employees. Check out scholarships from professional organizations, e.g. nursing scholarships for aspiring nurses. Research companies that would hire people with the degree you want to get, e.g. big tech companies if you are going into computer science. Check if your local Chamber of Commerce or any businesses have any programs. Search for scholarships that are for certain demographics, e.g. minorities, women in STEM, tall people, twins and multiples etc.
Some useful websites for your search:
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
https://scholarships360.org/
https://www.niche.com/colleges/scholarships/
https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-scholarships.aspx
Specifically for agriculture students in Oklahoma check out these opportunities:
Oklahoma State University: https://agriculture.okstate.edu/students/undergraduate-students/scholarships.html
Langston University: http://langston.edu/academics/school/agriculture-and-applied-sciences/scholarships/
Northwestern Oklahoma State University: https://www.nwosu.edu/forms/agriculture-department-scholarship-application
Oklahoma Agriculture Scholarships: https://www.agcareers.com/ag-education/scholarships/oklahoma/
Oklahoma Panhandle State University: https://opsu.edu/news/2024/05/panhandle-state-foundation-awards-largest-single-scholarship/
I would recommend to be strategic about it. Don't wear yourself out by applying to anything and everything. Consider the requirements and your fit for each scholarship.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Consultant and Freelance Writer, TRIO Program Administrator
1009
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Much of successful scholarship attainment, has to do with where you look for the scholarships. They can come from two primary sources, either private or public. One area people might not know about is the College Foundation option, at local colleges and universities.
College Foundations connect many of their scholarships to specific subjects, activities, majors, ethnicities and classifications. These are normally scholarships, that are supported by private individuals or businesses.
You might find scholarships for students who are first generation college students (neither parent has a college degree), students who are focusing their major on teaching, science subjects, engineering or radiology, or students who might be of a certain ethnicity.
Most of the time potential applicants can find nearly anything that fits into a classification or subject that defines them or their future goals.
All colleges and universities have foundations that offer scholarships. I would log into the website (of the college you are attending or wishing to attend), and research the ones which apply to you and your particular interests.
College Foundations connect many of their scholarships to specific subjects, activities, majors, ethnicities and classifications. These are normally scholarships, that are supported by private individuals or businesses.
You might find scholarships for students who are first generation college students (neither parent has a college degree), students who are focusing their major on teaching, science subjects, engineering or radiology, or students who might be of a certain ethnicity.
Most of the time potential applicants can find nearly anything that fits into a classification or subject that defines them or their future goals.
All colleges and universities have foundations that offer scholarships. I would log into the website (of the college you are attending or wishing to attend), and research the ones which apply to you and your particular interests.