Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation

Overview

The Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation Scholarship Program supports Missouri students pursuing postsecondary education with awards presented at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show each January. The program accepts applications from graduating high school seniors and current full-time college students who meet residency, membership, and academic criteria. Awards are merit- and involvement-based, with additional consideration for fields related to agriculture and Missouri institutions. The Foundation administers the program and coordinates recognition of recipients during the annual convention.

Description: Scholarship program open to Missouri high school seniors and current college students; awards presented at the MCA convention.

History of the Award: Since 1997 the Foundation has awarded more than 815 scholarships totaling $801,500.

• Annual awards presented at the January MCA convention.
• Open to graduating seniors and current college students.
• Program funded and administered by Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation.

Eligibility & Preferences

Applicants must meet residency, membership, age, enrollment, and academic minimums. Membership may be held by the applicant through the Missouri Junior Cattlemen's Association (MJCA) or by a parent/legal guardian through the Missouri Cattlemen's Association (MCA). The program limits prior full scholarship recipients and sets a minimum cumulative GPA and age requirement to ensure eligibility for the 2027 cycle. Preference is given to students pursuing specific agriculture-related fields and to those attending Missouri institutions or demonstrating financial need.

Eligibility: Must be a Missouri resident; MJCA member or have a parent/legal guardian who is an MCA member; high school senior or full-time college student; minimum cumulative GPA 2.5; enrolled full-time in the prior academic year; not 23 years old by January 1, 2026; must not have previously received a full scholarship of $1,000 or more.

Preference: Priority for students in agribusiness, animal science, plant science, food science, biochemistry, education, journalism, systems management, economics, general agriculture, and for applicants attending Missouri colleges or demonstrating financial need.

• Residency and membership requirements are mandatory.
• Academic minimum: 2.5 cumulative GPA and full-time enrollment in the prior year.
• Preference given to agriculture-related majors and Missouri college attendance.

Application Materials & Submission

Applications must be submitted online by the October deadline and completed using the provided application form; additional pages are not accepted except where explicitly requested. Required materials include letters of recommendation, official transcript, a current resume (new for 2027), and a short video addressing specified topics. One recommendation must come from a current MCA member. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.

Application Requirements: Submit the online application by the October deadline with three letters of recommendation (one from an MCA member), most recent high school or college transcript, current resume, and a 2–3 minute video addressing required topics.

Video Topics: Future goals and field of study; agricultural involvement and experiences; major honors and recognition; involvement with local/state MCA or MJCA; community and volunteer activities; reasons for receiving the scholarship.

• Apply online and meet the October submission deadline.
• Required items: three recommendation letters, transcript, resume, and a 2–3 minute video.
• Use only the application fields unless attachments are specifically requested.

Selection Process & Timeline

The Scholarship Committee reviews completed applications and notifies applicants by mail on or before November 30, 2026. Following the initial review, the top five applicants will be invited for in-person interviews conducted during the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show on January 9, 2027. Scholarship recipients will be recognized during the convention scheduled for January 7–10, 2027 in Osage Beach, Missouri. Judges will select an overall recipient and a reserve recipient who receive additional awards beyond the standard scholarship amounts.

Application Timeline: Notifications by mail on or before November 30, 2026; top five interviewed on January 9, 2027; recipients recognized January 7–10, 2027 in Osage Beach.

Interview & Awards: Top five finalists interviewed during the convention; judges will name an Overall Recipient (additional $2,000) and a Reserve Recipient (additional $1,000).

• Committee notifications by November 30, 2026.
• Finalist interviews held January 9, 2027 during the convention.
• Recipients announced and recognized at the January convention.

Award Value & Distribution

Most scholarships are awarded in amounts of $1,000 unless otherwise specified. The program provides additional awards for Overall and Reserve recipients as determined by the judges. Scholarship funds are distributed during the 2027 calendar year and are paid directly to the recipient's educational institution upon receipt of proof of enrollment. Any unused scholarship funds must be returned to the Foundation.

Award Value: Standard scholarships are $1,000; Overall Recipient receives an additional $2,000 and Reserve Recipient receives an additional $1,000.

Distribution: Payments made directly to the recipient's institution after proof of enrollment; unused funds must be returned to the Foundation.

• Standard award amount: $1,000 unless otherwise noted.
• Additional awards for overall and reserve recipients as announced by judges.
• Funds paid directly to institutions after enrollment verification.

Governance, Donor Agreements & Scoring

The Foundation requires that all donor agreements align with its mission and policies; the Board of Directors may grant exceptions when appropriate. The Scholarship Committee evaluates applications using a defined point system that balances leadership, agricultural involvement, community service, academics, and other factors. This scoring rubric informs selection and ensures transparent, consistent evaluation of applicants. Administrative and policy questions should be directed to the Foundation or MCA contact provided in the official application materials.

Donor Agreements: Agreements submitted for Board approval must conform to the Foundation's mission and policies; the Board reserves the right to approve exceptions.

Scoring Breakdown: Communication 10; Leadership 20; Community Involvement 15; Agricultural Involvement 20; Scholastic/Academic 10; Financial Need 5; Cattlemen’s Association Involvement 5; Work History 5; General Impression 10.

• Donor agreements must align with Foundation mission and policies.
• Selection uses a transparent point-based scoring system.
• Board may grant exceptions on a case-by-case basis.