South Dakota FB Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by South Dakota Farm Bureau
South Dakota Farm Bureau supports agriculture across the state and wants to recognize young people who are committed to farming and rural life. This scholarship is intended for students who plan to return to rural areas to live and work. Applicants may request consideration for either an agriculture-focused or a community-focused award based on their chosen major and/or agricultural background.
Eligibility
- Either the applicant or the applicant’s parent/guardian must be a current member of the South Dakota Farm Bureau, with that membership in place for at least two years.
- Applicants may receive this Farm Bureau scholarship only once.
- Applicant must be accepted to an accredited institution of higher education and intend to enroll full-time for at least one academic year.
- Applicants must be at least 17 years old and either a high school graduate or a college freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. High school seniors still in school must have an expected graduation date of Spring 2024.
- High school seniors must submit their most recent ACT or Accuplacer score. All applicants must provide a current transcript showing grade point average.
- Graduate students are ineligible.
- Scholarship funds are to be used for tuition only and will be disbursed after the recipient’s first semester.
How recipients will be selected
The selection committee will evaluate applicants using these factors:
- Work history, leadership experience, and participation in school and community activities.
- A clear explanation of how the applicant’s intended career will influence production agriculture or benefit rural America.
- Academic record, honors, and standardized test results (ACT or Accuplacer).
- Two current, dated letters of recommendation — one academic and one personal — that include the writer’s phone number and email, and that attest to the student’s character and likelihood of completing their planned program.
Required application materials
Please submit the following with your application:
1. Official high school transcript plus ACT or Accuplacer scores (for high school applicants), or an official current college transcript.
2. A current resume outlining work experience, school and community involvement, and leadership roles (resume example available at www.sdfbf.org).
3. Written responses to the three scholarship essay questions included on the application form.
4. Two dated letters of recommendation (one academic, one personal), with each author’s contact phone and email.
5. A copy of the Letter of Acceptance from the school you plan to attend. Current college students should provide a letter from their institution confirming enrollment.
If you meet these requirements and plan to return to rural South Dakota to work and contribute to agricultural or community life, we encourage you to apply.