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Harvest College Cash With Agriculture Scholarships

By U.S. News & World Report

Forget computers, cubicles and crowded cities — some people prefer open space, being close to nature and working outside. For many of them, agriculture is a great way to make a career out of their passion for the great outdoors.

However, with the cost of college soaring, it can be difficult to earn a degree in an agriculture-related field without accumulating significant amounts of debt. Rather than rely on student loans, students can look for scholarships specifically related to agriculture.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association awards several scholarships that fit this description. The Iowa Pork Foundation Scholarship, for example, is a $1,000-$1,500 award open to both incoming college freshmen and returning college students. Among the requirements, applicants must be Iowa residents enrolled at a two- or four-year Iowa institution and majoring in an agriculture-related field with an emphasis on swine production. Preference may be given to association members.

[Learn how to reap the benefits of bountiful farming scholarships.]

The Indiana Farm Bureau Scholarship Program is another great way for students interested in agriculture to find money to pay for college. The bureau awards multiple $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors and college students who are enrolled in an approved and accredited institution.

These awards can be used for tuition, room and board, books and other education expenses. In addition to being full-time students pursuing an agricultural or agribusiness degree, applicants must either be a student member of the Indiana Farm Bureau or the child of a bureau member.

Agriculture students can also check out The Community Foundation of the Ozarks, which annually offers the $1,500 Grant A. Finley Memorial Scholarship to two students, with preference given to those majoring in agriculture or who have participated in FFA, formerly the Future Farmers of America.

Applicants must attend an Ozark County, Missouri, high school, have a 3.0 GPA and minimum 21 ACT score and plan to attend a two- or four-year college. Students must submit a short essay with their application and may be asked to interview.

[Discover these scholarships for outdoors lovers.]

The Hereford Youth Foundation of America, one of the largest junior cattle program in the country, awards nearly $30,000 in scholarships to students every year, and interested members can apply.

One of these awards is the Poll-ette Founders Scholarship. Applicants must be 17-22 years of age by Jan. 1 of the current year and a member of the National Junior Hereford Association.

In addition to completing the electronic application, applicants must submit one paragraph describing their involvement with Herefords and its impact on them. Finalists will participate in interviews at the Junior National Hereford Expo.

Another Hereford award is The John Wayne Memorial Scholarship, which is given to two students each year. Applicants must be active National Junior Hereford Association members who are enrolled full time in college and pursuing a career in agriculture, home economics or a Hereford-related industry.

Each applicant’s guardian or parent must also be a paid member of the National Hereford Women or the American Hereford Association. And students must include a 250-word essay with their application on how characteristics that John Wayne exemplified can benefit the beef industry.

Residents of Boone or Winnebago County, Illinois, who are majoring in agriculture, agribusiness or agriculture-related studies may be eligible for the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau Foundation Scholarships. Applicants must be a member of the Winnebago-Boone Farm Bureau or a spouse or dependent of a member as well as a high school graduate.

They must also be accepted or enrolled in an accredited institution or community college and demonstrate their potential to successfully complete their studies. The scholarships are awarded based on exceptional scholastic ability.

[Read about 10 ways to nab a scholarship to pay for college.]

The IAA Foundation is another organization that offers many scholarships ranging between $1,000 and $7,500 to individuals majoring in in agriculture, agribusiness or ag-related studies. Applicants must also be Illinois residents who are related to an Illinois Farm Bureau member.

One of these awards is the $7,500 Illinois Farm Bureau Legacy of Leadership Scholarship, which is open to students attending a school in Illinois and majoring in an agriculture-related field. Applicants must be starting their junior year, have a GPA of at least 3.4 and submit a 250-word essay on their vision for the future of agriculture and how they plan to contribute.

These are just some examples of scholarships for those who love agriculture. With a little work, agriculture majors can grow a scholarship fund to help them cut the cost of college.

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Harvest College Cash With Agriculture Scholarships originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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