Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program


Treasurer Giannoulias honors the 2007-08 scholarship recipients.

Beginning in 2008, 10 $2,500 scholarships will be awarded annually to Illinois high school seniors who plan to pursue a college degree and career in agriculture or an agriculture-related field.  Scholarship recipients are selected by a panel of Illinois agriculture agency representatives.  Winners are notified in writing by the Treasurer's Office and will be honored at the Illinois State Fair.

Congratulations to the 2008 winners!

Kaitlin Weitekamp of Raymond, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, AgriBusiness Management

Christopher Wilhelmi of Joliet, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Agricultural Engineering

Rachel Atwell of Geneseo, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Environmental/Natural Resource Mgmt
Jared Schwerer of Blandinsville, Western Illinois University, Agriculture Science/Conservation
Jason Barker of Shelbyville, Lake Land College, Agriculture Production and Business Management
Kathryn Hatfield of Wayne City, Rend Lake College, Animal Science
Kristin DeSutter of Woodhull, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Agriculture Communications
Milan Alexander of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Agricultural/Consumer Economics
Sarah Carson of Maple Park, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Animal Science
Laura Overmyer of Oregon, Augustana College, Biology (Pre-Vet Medicine)

Please check back later for 2008-2009 Scholarship Application details.

Treasurer Giannoulias with 2007-08 scholarship recipient Jason Barker and Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Molly Reeves.

Scholarship Terms
Scholarship funds are restricted to the payment of tuition, books and/or room and board to an Illinois educational institution. Recipients are not prohibited from pursuing or accepting other forms of financial aid, assistantship, scholarship or tuition waiver. The Treasurer's Office will deposit the $2,500 into a Bright Start College Savings account accessible to the parent(s) of a scholarship winner.

Scholarship Criteria
Applicants must be:

  • A high school senior with a minimum 2.75 GPA
  • A resident of Illinois
  • Accepted at an accredited higher education institution in Illinois
  • Pursuing an agriculture or agriculture-related major

Scholarship Applications

Treasurer Giannoulias with 2007-08 scholarship recipient Rachel Atwell and Miss Illinois County Fair Queen Molly Reeves.
An application must be postmarked on or before the stated deadline and must be submitted with the following:
  • A typed essay (minimum 250 words) identifying the reason(s) you want to pursue a career in agriculture or an agriculture-related field
  • An official high school transcript
  • Two letters of reference, including one from a non-school source
  • A list of extracurricular activities and honors
  • A statement of goals and future plans

 

For more information, contact the State Treasurer’s Office at (217) 557-6436.

  
   

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