Scholarships For Western Kansas Area High School Seniors and College Students
Western State Bank and American Implement have joined forces to help support the future of the agriculture industry by providing the Ag Future Scholarships Program to eligible high school seniors and current college students pursuing further education (degree or program) in an agriculture field.
Ten (10) $1,000 scholarships will be awarded!
Eligibility includes:
- High school senior or current college student with a permanent address in the following counties: Kansas - Cheyenne, Clark, Finney, Ford, Gove, Grant, Gray, Greeley, Hamilton, Haskell, Hodgeman, Kearny, Lane, Logan, Meade, Morton, Rawlins, Scott, Seward, Sheridan, Sherman, Stanton, Stevens, Thomas, Wallace, Wichita; Colorado – Baca
- Students who ultimately have a goal of working within the agriculture industry and pursuing further education (either a degree or program) in an agriculture-related field. Examples can include but are not limited to: Ag Business, Ag Communications, Ag Economics, Ag Education, Ag Finance, Food Science, Horticulture, Agronomy, Technical Program, Animal Science, Precision Agriculture, and more.
- 3.0 GPA or greater
Completed application must contain:
- A completed application form.
- 2 letters of reference* – preferably speaking to the applicant’s interest and passion for agriculture (*letters must come from non-familial relations)
- Most recent official school transcript
- Resume or detailed list of extracurricular activities and/or community involvement
- A picture of applicant (to be used if selected as a scholarship recipient)
- Either a written essay (500 – 700 words) OR a video submission (3 – 4 minutes) focused on the applicant’s top three reasons they are passionate and excited about agriculture and how they see themselves impacting agriculture’s future with their career of choice. Tip: Consider adding subtitles to videos filmed outdoors or in loud areas.
- Past scholarship applicants and recipients are encouraged to apply, but must submit all new materials including essay/video and letters of reference to qualify.
Download a 2023 Scholarship Application
Completed applications will be scored according to the following criteria:
- Essay/Video (35 pts)
- References (25 pts)
- Grades (20 pts)
- Resume or List of Community/Extra-Curricular Involvement (20 pts)
Deadline to apply: March 31, 2023
Reminder to all candidates who submitted an application: By submitting an application, the applicant is granting permission for American Implement and Western State Bank to potentially use submitted material and/or photos of the applicant on either company’s website, social media accounts or published materials highlighting the scholarship program and retains rights to all entries once submitted.
Scholarship Selection
Announcement of selected candidates and distribution of funds:
Winners will be notified and announced by April 21, 2023.
Funds will be distributed once proof of enrollment into educational program has been provided to scholarship committee. Upon notification of selection, scholarship recipients will be informed of the address to send enrollment verification.
If a selected candidate fails to provide proof of enrollment into an educational program or does not attend educational program fall semester of 2023, the next eligible candidate will be awarded the scholarship in their stead.
Scholarship recipients will be invited to attend a celebration event hosted by American Implement and Western State Bank with fellow recipients to be recognized for their accomplishment and presented with an ag career day and networking opportunity with both American Implement and Western State Bank representatives.