Future of Agriculture Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by Iowa Corn
Introduction
If you are a high school senior about to graduate or a current college student studying an agriculture-related field, Iowa Corn wants to invest in your future. This scholarship opportunity is designed to help students preparing for careers that support Iowa’s agriculture industry.
Who is eligible
- Applicants must be either an Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) member or the son/daughter of an ICGA member. (Apply for ICGA membership here.)
- Eligible students include high school seniors entering college and students enrolled at an accredited U.S. 2-year or 4-year college, university, or graduate program in a course of study that prepares them to contribute to agriculture in Iowa.
Scholarship overview
- For the first time, the Iowa Corn scholarship and the National Corn Growers Association scholarship use a single, combined application. Completing one application makes you eligible for both programs.
- Eighteen scholarships will be awarded in total for the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Nine First-year Scholarships of $1,000 each are reserved for high school seniors beginning their first year of college — one recipient selected from each Iowa Corn District Field Manager territory.
- Nine Upperclassmen Scholarships of $1,000 each are reserved for students entering their second, third, or fourth year of undergraduate study or enrolled in graduate school — one recipient from each Iowa Corn District Field Manager territory.
- Scholarships cover one academic year. Prior recipients are eligible to reapply.
- Award funds may be applied toward tuition, academic supplies, or student housing.
Selection process
- A selection committee named by the Iowa Corn Grassroots Network, the Membership and Checkoff committee chairperson, or the applicable Iowa Corn District Committee will evaluate applications.
- Essays are scored using a “blind” review process; committee members then consider applications and letters of recommendation to produce a final ranking.
Important dates and disbursement
- All applications must be submitted online by January 30, 2026. Only online applications will be accepted.
- Recipients will be notified by March 20, 2026.
- Scholarship awards are designated for the 2026–2027 school year.
- Funds will be issued on behalf of each recipient to the student’s college financial aid office in August 2026. (Checks will be mailed to the respective financial aid offices by September 2026.)
- For First-year Scholarship recipients, funds will be sent to the school’s financial aid office in the fall of 2025; schools will retain those funds and release them to recipients only after the students have enrolled for their second semester of college coursework.
If you meet the eligibility requirements and are pursuing an education that will support Iowa agriculture, complete the combined application to be considered for these awards.