Future of Agriculture Scholarships

Are you a high school graduating senior or current college student pursuing a degree in agriculture? Iowa Corn wants to support you because we know you are the future.

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS:

• The Iowa Corn scholarship and National Corn Growers Association scholarship applications are combined this year for the first time. Students only need to fill out one application to be eligible for both.
• Applicant must be an Iowa Corn Growers Association member or son/daughter of an ICGA member. Apply for ICGA membership here.
• Eighteen total scholarships will be awarded to deserving, qualified students enrolled at an accredited U.S. 2-year or 4-year junior college, college or university, or graduate school, in a program of study that can equip the student to contribute to the agriculture industry in Iowa.
• Nine $1,000 First-year Scholarships are reserved for high school seniors entering their first year of college, one from each Iowa Corn District Field Manager territory.
• Nine $1,000 Upperclassmen Scholarships are reserved for students entering their second, third, or fourth year of college, or who are enrolled in a graduate program – one from each Iowa Corn District Field Manager territory.
• Scholarships are for one year and previous winners may reapply.
• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, school supplies, or student housing.
• Funds will be issued on behalf of each student to his or her college financial aid department in August 2026 but entering freshman must successfully complete the first college term and those funds will be applied to second term expenses.
• Scholarships are awarded for the 2026-2027 school year.

SELECTION & NOTIFICATION:

• A selection committee appointed by the Iowa Corn Grassroots Network, Membership and Checkoff committee chairperson, or the corresponding Iowa Corn District Committee, will score the essays using a “blind” evaluation process and then review and rate applications and letters of recommendation to achieve a final ranking of applications.
• All applications due January 30, 2026. Only online applications will be accepted.
• Recipients will be notified by March 20, 2026.
• Checks will be mailed to the respective financial aid offices by September 2026.
• Funds for recipients of First-year scholarships will be issued to the school financial aid offices in the fall of 2025 but will be retained by the schools and only made available to recipients after they enroll for the second semester of college coursework.