Frequently Asked Questions

This year’s application period runs from Dec 1, 2011 through Feb 1, 2012. The application period follows a similar time line each year.

Each year the IAA Foundation scholarships are announced in FarmWeek, the weekly Illinois Farm Bureau news publication, as well as on RFD radio.

  • Do I have to include transcripts for high school if I am already attending college? Show Answer

Yes, the transcripts must be “official” which means they must have a raised seal or stamp and must be provided by your school.

  • My high school offered dual credit or college credit classes at our high school location. Do I still need a separate college transcript for those classes?
    Show Answer

No.

  • I am a freshman in college. Do I need to supply official college transcripts? Show Answer

Yes, we will need to see an official transcript of your first semester as well as your high school transcript.

  • I am a Graduate student with a completed Undergraduate degree. Do I need to provide a high school transcript? Show Answer

    • No, after completing an undergraduate degree, you need only supply a complete, official transcript from the college or university where you received your degree. If you attended more than one college before you received your degree, we will need transcripts from all schools attended.

  • What is an accredited post-secondary institution? Show Answer

    • Any college, university, community college or trade school that has been recognized as maintaining specified standards. Accreditation is a voluntary, independent review of educational programs to determine that the education provided is of uniform and sound quality. Being awarded accreditation ensures that an institution has been evaluated and that it met set standards of quality determined by the accrediting organization granting the accreditation. A college or university's accreditation is maintained by continued adherence to the set criteria.

  • Do I have to use the Activities Template provided on the IAA Foundation website? I already have a different form. Show Answer

Yes, use of the template provided on our website is required. The template is expandable to fit each individual applicant’s needs and is a Word document.

The application is created as a protected Word document as well as a fillable PDF file. Please check your settings, as the application is created to be available on any computer.

  • Can I print out the blank application and then complete it by hand?
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No handwritten applications will be accepted.

  • If I am applying to both the IAA Foundation scholarships and the Prairie Farms Dairy scholarships, can I just send in one set of transcripts and references? Show Answer

No, you will need to send separate application packets with individual sets of transcripts, references, etc. for each application form competed. Each application is reviewed separately and must be complete.

  • Can I apply for more than one scholarship? Show Answer

Yes, there is an area to check off the scholarships for which you are ELIGIBLE on the IAA Foundation scholarship application. ONE APPLICATION ONLY IS NEEDED, and only one set of supporting documents is required. The only scholarships that require a separate application form and supporting documents is the Prairie Farms Dairy employee/patron Scholarship and the Illinois Soybean Association Crop Science Scholarship.

  • Do my references from teachers and/or administration need to be on letterhead? Show Answer

Yes, all high school and college references must be on school letterhead. Any references from businesses, clergy, etc. must also be on relevant letterhead. Only personal references can be on plain paper. Please note that reference letters need to be original, signed, dated, and current. No reference letters dated earlier than September 2011 will be accepted.

  • What is required for the Professional Goals/Personal Statement in Section 5 of the application? Show Answer

Two separate essays are required on a separate sheet. Up to 500 words per question are allowed. This is where you can personalize your application and give us insight into your choice of major and goals, as well.

  • Do I have to fill out every section of the Activities Template? Show Answer

No, only fill out the applicable sections. Please do be sure to use the “description” section to elaborate or highlight your specific activities.

  • Can I just send in my application by the postmarked deadline date of February 1, and then send in the rest of my supporting documents later? Show Answer

NO, all materials must be postmarked by February 1, 2012. Please plan ahead and give yourself enough time to request transcripts and reference letters and get them to us so that all documents are postmarked by the deadline date.

  • Will I receive notification that you received my application? Show Answer

No, the only time you will receive an email is if there is missing information. It is your responsibility to follow up if you have additional questions or to check if we received any supporting documents sent separately.

Scholarship recipients are announced in April. Letters will go out to both the recipients and non-recipients before the announcement on our website and in FarmWeek.

  • If I do receive a scholarship, when will the checks be sent out? Show Answer

Scholarship checks will be sent out to the recipient’s school by the first week in August and will be distributed equally during both semesters.

  • Can the check be sent to me directly if I am a recipient? Show Answer

No, funds must be sent directly to your school.

Information is also available at your county Farm Bureau office, by calling the IAA Foundation office at 309-557-2230, or by emailing Carol Harms-Garman at charms-garman@ilfb.org.