Scholarships, Awards, and Degrees
Louisa FFA students accepting awards at the Virginia State FFA Convention 2019 for their participation in FFA demonstration contests.
"...with a faith born not of words but of deeds..."
The FFA Creed is the foundation of of our belief system in this organization. It is true that through hard work, not just words, you can accomplish great things. Louisa FFA believes that students should not perform work for the sole purpose of recognition, reputation, prizes, or awards. Instead, the Louisa FFA promotes humble servant work, giving 110% in everything, and seeking quality and integrity for the betterment of the members and community. However, Lousia FFA believes it is important to celebrate successes and reward those who have worked hard. The FFA and agriculture program offers many opportunities for rewards. Explore this page to see about opportunities you may qualify for!
Scholarships
National and Virginia FFA Scholarships-Due Jan. 11th 2024
Scholarship applications are now available to current active senior FFA members and collegiate level former FFA members. In addition to any qualifications set forth by the FFA Scholarship Committee, you must be registered as an FFA member to qualify. If you have not already done so, please complete the application and pay your membership dues. You may also need to enter in your SAE information. Be sure your Agricultural Experience Tracker account (AET) is updated.
Next, go to this website for the application: https://www.ffa.org/participate/grants-and-scholarships/scholarships/?utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Unlock+Your+Future+with+an+FFA+Scholarship&utm_campaign=2023-24+Scholarships+Announcement+Follow-up+-+11-15-2023
When you click on the red button with the words "Scholarship Center", you'll be directed to this page.
You'll need to create an account with FFA. The chapter number is VA0112 for Louisa County High School. Or, you can reach out to an FFA advisor who can share with you your FFA membership ID.
Once logged in, just follow the instructions for filling out the application.
Scholarship Timeline
Application Live 11/1/2022
Application Deadline 1/12/2023
Supplement Deadline 1/19/2023
FFA Advisors Notification of Chapter Recipients 4/27/2023
Winner/Non Winner Notification Sent 4/27/2023
Acceptance Site Live 4/27/2023
Acceptance Deadline 5/31/2023
CLOSED! Mid Atlantic Certified Crop Advisor Program Scholarship-Due 2/24/2023
See their website for more information if you are interested in this scholarship!
http://www.midatlanticcca.org/scholarships/
The Mid Atlantic Certified Crop Advisers (MACCA) has established a scholarship program, that will award up to two deserving students with scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each ($500 for each semester) enrolled in an agronomy related program at an accredited junior college or university. Up to one year after college graduation, recipients will have the opportunity to take the CCA Exam, free of cost.
The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial support to students interested in pursuing a career in plant and soil sciences. Given the declining number of students enrolled in agronomy-related programs in our region, the Mid Atlantic Certified Crop Advisers believes it is important to encourage students to consider careers in agronomy by supporting their educational needs through financial support.
Eligibility
Applicants must be a resident of or attending school in the Mid-Atlantic region (Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Virginia, or West Virginia).
Students must be enrolled in or accepted to a 2-year or 4-year institution working towards a degree in agronomy or related field.
Applicants may only receive the scholarship two times.
CLOSED! State Fair Scholarships-Due Jan 23rd 2023
This is a unique scholarship for students who have competed at the Virginia State Fair. For more information or to see if you qualify, see this link: https://www.statefairva.org/p/other/state-fair-of-virginia-scholarship-program
CLOSED! Colonial Farm Credit Scholarship-Due 3/1/2023
Each year, Colonial Farm Credit offers scholarships to FFA members. See if you qualify by checking out the link here: https://www.colonialfarmcredit.com/scholarships.
These scholarships are due March 1st.
Reach out to any advisor for questions or recommendations.
CLOSED! VA Poultry Scholarship Due March 1, 2023
Calling all Virginia Tech students and future students in the college of ag! If you are a current or incoming VT student who is studying for a degree in the College of Ag and Life Sciences, you should apply for this scholarship! See the application attached here.
OPEN! USDA Scholarships-- Due March 15th 2023
See the links below for more information about USDA scholarships and the requirements for both.
https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/1994-program
https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/1890NationalScholars Due March 15th 2023
OPEN! The Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District Scholarship-Due 4/5/2023
The TJSWCD 2023 scholarship application is OPEN and is available to full-time students residing in Albemarle, Fluvanna, Louisa, and Nelson Counties, and the City of Charlottesville, who demonstrate an active interest in conservation and are enrolled in, or have applied to, a college freshman level curriculum.
Students, must request that your school counselor email your school transcript directly to education@tjswcd.org , by the deadline, Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 – 4:00 p.m.
See Application and attachments below
OPEN! Jim Claxton Scholarship-Due 5/31/2023 by 4 PM
See the link below for access to the application. Applications are due by May 31, 2023 by 4 pm. We are accepting completed applications by email, mail, or via the online form.
OPEN! Angus Foundation Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship Due May 1st 2023
The Angus Foundation is honored to be able to award academic scholarships for students using registered Angus bulls in their family’s commercial cattle operation. The commercial cattlemen scholarship program is only for students with a commercial background. We host a separate application and scholarship program for youth with a registered Angus seedstock background.
https://www.angus.org/foundation/whatwedo/youth/CommercialCattlemen
CLOSED! Essex County Conservation Alliance--Due May 1st
This scholarship is available to students majoring in or showing a strong desire to major in a course curriculum related to natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies.
Qualifications, part 1: Individual applicants must be Virginia residents and full-time students enrolled in or who have applied to a college freshman level curriculum. Applicants shall document a class ranking in the top 20% of his or her graduating class or a 3.0 or greater Grade Point Average or appropriate equivalent of individual scholastic achievement. Applicants shall demonstrate active interest in conservation.
Qualifications, part 2: Individual applicants must research and write an article for publication in the Essex County Conservation Alliance’s annual magazine. Applicants are encouraged to interview farmers and professional conservation specialists (but not required) as supporting material to their research for the article. Mentors to the students by way of teachers and education specialists are encouraged as well if desired.
CLOSED! Premier Select Sires Scholarship Program Due Jan 31 2023
Visit their website for more information: https://premierselectsires.com/whats-new-at-premier-select-sire/scholarship-information/
OPEN! Louisa FFA Alumni Scholarships Due April 18th (seniors) and June 1st (graduates)
Currently, the program offers two scholarships: One for high school seniors and one for those students who are already in their college programs. These scholarships are both sponsored by the FFA Alumni chapter. Students must complete the application and other requirements written in the application by the deadline.
OPEN! Virginia Grain Producers Association--Due April 30th
http://www.virginiagrains.com/scholarship
"VGPA is awarding our annual $1,000.00 scholarship for a current or future full-time student (as of Fall 2021) at a Virginia institution of higher education. Preference will be given to agriculture students and applicants with a close relationship to the Virginia Grain Producers Association (VGPA), including members (or dependents of a member) of the VGPA, or an active employee (or dependent of an active employee), of a member of the VGPA.
Applications must be postmarked by April 28, 2023"
CLOSED! Virginia Soybean Association--Due April 30th
https://vasoybean.com/scholarship/
"We will award the following scholarships:
(1) $500 scholarship to a student who plans to pursue an associate’s degree
(1) $1,000 scholarship to a student pursuing an undergraduate degree
(1) $1,000 scholarship pursuing a graduate degree."
Application deadline is April 30. Please send all completed application materials to Rachel.gresham@vasoybean.com or via mail to:
Virginia Soybean Association
PO Box 923
Goochland, VA 23063
OPEN! Rosson Agriculture Scholarship -- Due March 31st by 3:30 PM
Guidelines for the Charles S. Rosson Agriculture Scholarship:
Mr. Rosson, a Louisa County High School graduate, ran a very successful beef cattle operation from the Rosson family’s Quaker Hill Farm. This scholarship is an opportunity for a Louisa County High School graduate with significant interest in pursuing an agriculture or agriculture-related profession to receive financial assistance to attend the college, university, trade or technical school of his/her choice to accomplish this goal. Criteria to be considered for selection will include, but not be limited to, successful completion of relevant coursework, participation in FFA and/or 4-H, and clearly expressed financial need. This year's application deadline is Friday, March 31, at 3:30 p.m. to LCHS Guidance. The Rosson family will choose the recipient.
This scholarship is being funded by private donations and by ongoing contributions from the Rosson family and Quaker Hill Farm. The amount of the scholarship may vary from year to year, depending upon the balance of the fund and the number of worthy applicants.
CLOSED! Rappahannock Electric Cooperative Due Jan 23rd 2023
See their website for more details: https://myrec.coop/scholarships
OPEN! Anthony W. “Tony” LaFetra Scholarship Program--Due March 31st 2023
The Irrigation Association scholarships will be awarded based on student's letter of intent, financial need, reference letters, resume and list of irrigation courses in amounts ranging from $1,000 to $2,500.
REQUIREMENTS
Must currently be enrolled (undergraduate or graduate) at a U.S. technical or vocational school, community college, university or similar institution of higher learning.
Must have a graduation date of December 2023 or later.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Students who have not been selected in prior years as a scholarship recipient.
Must have taken or are currently enrolled in a class with an irrigation related curriculum.
Must have a minimum of 2.5 cumulative grade point average, based on a 4.0 scale.
Must demonstrate financial need.
https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/87333-Irrigation-Association-
OPEN! LC Ruritan Club--Due April 15th
Eligibility: To be eligible for a Louisa County Ruritan Club College & Trade School
Scholarship a student must live within Louisa County. Exceptions may be made at the discretion
of the scholarship committee.
Value: Scholarship money may be used to finance expenses at any college or trade school.
Criteria: The scholarship award will be based on financial need, merit, leadership, academic
standing, and community service.
Selection: The recipient or recipients will be selected in accordance with the above criteria by
the Scholarship Committee of the Louisa County Ruritan Club.
Degrees
CLOSED! FFA Degree Applications--DUE April 18th 2022
The high school FFA program offers two types of FFA degrees, the Greenhand and the Chapter Degree. Students wishing to seek these degrees should make sure they are qualified by reviewing the documents below, complete the application, and turn it in to an FFA advisor.
The State and American FFA Degree applications are provided through theaet.com in the Reports tab. State Degree applications are typically due by April, and is a long application, so students should start working on their applications in the new year. More information regarding the state degree application and submission requirements can be found here: https://www.vaffa.org/state-degree Information about the American FFA Degree can be found here: https://www.ffa.org/participate/awards/american-ffa-degree/
Star Awards
Star Discovery, Star Greenhand, and Star Chapter Award
The Star Discovery Award is presented to active middle school FFA members who demonstrate dedication and passion for the FFA chapter through participation in FFA events and meetings.
The Star Greenhand Award is given to FFA members who are the chapter’s most active first-year member who has a strong supervised agricultural experience program and has demonstrated leadership. The Star Greenhand is selected by the advisors. The Star Greenhand Award is given to first year members who have applied and received their Greenhand Degree
The Star Chapter Award is given to FFA members who are the chapter’s most active member, who has a strong supervised agricultural experience program and has demonstrated leadership. The Star Chapter is selected by the advisors. The Star Chapter Award is given to any student with the Chapter Degree.
There is no application or interview process for this award, as it is selected by the FFA advisors.
Competition Prizes
Many contests, such as those done at the State Fair or State FFA Convention, will offer their own awards and certificates to students. The Louisa FFA Chapter will also share recognition and celebrate their participation in the event at the annual banquet or awards ceremony. In addition, students or teams placing at the top of their competition or category may be awarded by tokens such as ribbons, pins, trophies, or plaques.
Additional Awards
Outstanding Alumni Award
Each year, the chapter nominates an Alumni member who has provided exceptional support to the members of the chapter. This individual may have offered much of their time to help out at events, provided food, transportation, chaperoned a trip, coached a CDE/LDE team, judged a contest, sat on a committee, advocated for agriculture, the program, or the alumni, provided SAEs or apprenticeships for students, donated, or otherwise provided outstanding service for the alumni and students.
Honorary Chapter Award
The Honorary Chapter Award is presented to teachers, parents, sponsors, community members, or anyone who has provided support to the organization. Much like the Outstanding Alumni Award (above) support can be provided in a variety of ways. This award is conferred at the annual FFA banquet or awards ceremony and is selected by the membership.
Proficiency Award
Proficiencies are awards provided at the state and national levels for students who apply and submit their SAE records. Proficiency awards look directly at the student's progress in their Supervised Agricultural Experience program. There are many different award areas for students to apply for based on their SAE type. The goal for students is to not only have an outstanding project demonstrating skills and technical knowledge, but to show growth over a period of time. If you think you have an outstanding SAE, meet with an advisor to help get you started on the Proficiency Degree Application. The application can be accessed through the students' theaet.com account in the Reports section. Students should get started on their applications early (they are usually due in April) as the application process is long.
National Chapter Award
An chapter's goal in planning out the year's events should involve consideration of the standards of the National Chapter Award. We know that it's not just about the award. This program challenges chapters to be well-rounded in their events and opportunities and emulate the true mission and motto of the National FFA Organization. It's not about how much money a chapter has earned, how many members a chapter has, or how many CDEs your chapter has won. Instead it's about how a chapter grows leaders, builds communities, and strengthens agriculture. Review the quality standards to see what types of events the program needs in order to qualify for the National Chapter Award. Chapters can receive a bronze, silver, or gold placing for their application.