Professional Dairy Heifer Growers Association
Higher Education Scholarship
Instructions and Information
Each year the Professional Dairy Heifer Growers Association (PDHGA) offers a scholarship of $500. This scholarship is awarded to students currently enrolled in agriculture or a related field at an accredited College or University. Applicants must have completed at least one year of post high school education. A person may receive the scholarship only once and must meet the following requirements for consideration.
Applicant must be:
- A member/associate member (includes student members), or the son, daughter, or legal dependent of a PDHGA member/associate member.
- Attending an accredited College/University
- Enrolled in a field of agriculture, e.g., food science, horticulture, animal/veterinary science, agricultural technical course, etc., or in a course of study with relevance to agriculture.
To apply, qualified candidates should submit with attached application cover sheet the following:
1. A copy of College/University Grade Transcript (must also include fall 2004 term). GPA must be 2.0 or better.
2. At least 2 letters of recommendation (one must be from College/University Advisor)
3. A 1- to 2-page essay on your choice of vocation or profession and your future role in Agriculture.
4. For those applicants who are enrolled in courses outside the purview of agriculture, a statement (approx. 300 words) needs to be provided showing how the chosen field of instruction applies to agriculture. Further, elective course work (as listed in the transcript) and student activities (as listed in #5 below) must support the statement.
5. A summary of your activities and service:- To your High School and College/University (FFA, extra-curricular activities, student government, departmental clubs, etc.); To your Community (4-H, service projects, church, etc.); To your Family (how you have helped with your family’s farming enterprise or other family responsibilities); And all Work Experiences. This summary may be submitted as a resume and may include any awards received.
6. Submit a brief essay (maximum 300 words) on the importance of the PDHGA (hint: history on the web site). Indicate how you envision your involvement in an Agricultural Leadership Role in the Future.
7. Prepare a proposed budget for the coming school year (expenses – tuition, books, room and board, etc.) indicating how you plan to pay for your education beyond this scholarship (assets: savings wages, parental support, other scholarships, etc.).
8. Submit your intended fall class schedule for the coming term (include summer school classes if appropriate). This can be a college enrollment printout or signed statement from an advisor.
Other Details:
· Applications MUST be returned to the PDHGA Office: c/o Colette Johnston, Executive Secretary, 801 Shakespeare Avenue, Box 497, Stratford, IA 50249 by March 4 in a given scholarship year.
· Applicants will be judged on the weighted basis of:
§ Essay on Choice of Vocation or Profession (30 pts)
§ Academics - classes chosen to prepare for career choice (15 pts)
§ GPA (5 pts)
§ Community and School (High School and Higher Education) Activities (20 pts)
§ Work and Service to Family (15 pts)
§ Essay on Importance of the PDHGA (10 pts)
§ Budget Breakdown (5 pts)
Total 100 Points
- Winners will be announced by March 30 in a given scholarship year.
- Payment will be made directly to the student upon proof of fall 2005 enrollment.
- A scholarship shall be used in the year following the award. In the event the scholarship is not used within a year’s time, the recipient must present a request for time extension. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture.
For further information, please contact the PDHGA Office at 1-877-434-3377.