Link for application: https://fs17.formsite.com/coffafdn/gdpy66j0pa/index
Link for letter of recommendation portal: https://fs17.formsite.com/coffafdn/lwiy41n6wp/index
Expected timeline:
Applications and letters of recommendation due: March 31st, 2025 @ 11:59 pm, current Colorado time.
Finalists announced: April 11, 2025
Finalist interviews: April 18, 2025, via Zoom from 8 am-noon. Tentatively
If students are applying for this scholarship, they should block this morning off. Only very extenuating circumstances will be accommodated for the interview portion.
Other Scholarship information and background on Mr. Cordes:
The Edward B. Cordes Scholarship Program 2025-2026
The Colorado FFA Foundation is pleased to offer the Edward B. Cordes Scholarship Program. The Late Ed Cordes along with his wife Polly Jessen, son Matt Cordes, and daughter Katie Cordes pledged a transformational gift to the Colorado FFA Foundation to create a scholarship fund which provides one scholarship that covers the cost of tuition, fees, and a books stipend capped at $13,000 per academic year to eligible Colorado FFA members who will be attending college/university or vocational/technical school, or pursuing professional certification in Colorado. A housing stipend of up to $6,000 annually will also be offered, contingent upon demonstrated need. The scholarship is renewable for a total of four academic years of assistance.
Edward B. Cordes grew up on a diversified farm in Roggen, Colorado. In high school, his agricultural education instructor and FFA Advisor, Mr. Wayne Ball, profoundly impacted his life. Mr. Ball was key in motivating Ed to complete his bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska. Ed eventually started his own successful business, Cordes & Company, became the chairman of the Board of Guaranty Bank and Trust, and served on many public and charitable boards. Through all his travels and business experiences, Ed remembered how impactful Mr. Ball and his experiences in FFA were in his life and how much they contributed to his success. Ed served on the Colorado FFA Foundation board of directors from 2014-2020 (several as Chairman) and has assisted in raising funds to positively impact FFA members across the state.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the board, and we did incredible things for FFA and ag education in Colorado, but this one is very personal. This scholarship is for students who have drive and ambition but might not be able to attend college or a trade school because of financial constraints. This fund alleviates that burden and will allow FFA members across Colorado to better themselves and those around them—the mission that FFA teaches all its members—just like Mr. Ball did for me. This is in honor of him,” said Ed Cordes. The scholarship also honors Benny Mendoza, who taught Mr. Cordes “respect for the dignity of his fellow human beings regardless of race, creed, or economic circumstances.” The scholarship selection criteria contemplate that approximately 50% of scholarship funds will be awarded to qualified students of Latin American descent.
To apply, applicants must complete the application form at: https://fs17.formsite.com/coffafdn/gdpy66j0pa/index . Two letters of recommendation are also required. One must come from the applicant’s agricultural education instructor/FFA advisor and the other from a teacher, counselor, or employer. Your letter of reference writer will upload the letter at: https://fs17.formsite.com/coffafdn/lwiy41n6wp/index
Specific scholarship requirements are:
1) Demonstrated ambition, integrity, and work ethic
2) Challenging high school class selection, given the applicant’s situation and abilities
3) Demonstrated leadership among peers
4) Commitment to improving yourself and your community
5) Applicants must be pursuing a certificate and/or degree in a vocational/technical program or an undergraduate degree in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM”), education, economics, business, finance, accounting, or agriculture from an accredited vocational/technical program or college or university in Colorado
6) Applicants must have at least a weighted 2.5 GPA or teacher recommendations indicating academic initiative and improvement
7) Demonstrate significant economic need—including an assessment of need (tuition scholarship) versus dire need (tuition and some housing assistance)
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. MST on March 31st, 2025. After reviewing the applications, the selection committee will select semi-finalists by April 11th, 2025. Semi-finalists will be interviewed via Zoom on April 18th, 2025.
Questions regarding the application and procedures should be directed to the Foundation’s email address, jstahley@coloradoffafoundation.org.
https://coloradofarmshow.com/scholarships/
USDA Now Accepting Applications for the 1890 National Scholars Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program, which aims to encourage students at 1890 land-grant universities to pursue career paths in food, agriculture, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The application deadline is March 1, 2025.
Young people around the country are invited to complete and submit their applications online through an e-application. Administered through USDA’s Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE), the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is available to eligible high school seniors entering their freshman year of college as well as rising college sophomores and juniors.