Student Scholarships

You're taking an important step to future success!  

The IAA Foundation endeavors to enhance the future of agriculture by providing college scholarships to Illinois Farm Families, Illinois Farm Bureau members, spouses, or their children who major in agriculture, agribusiness, or an ag-related course of study. The IAA Foundation is pleased to administer scholarships on behalf of agricultural partners and families who wish to support future generations and help assure a well-qualified and professional agricultural workforce in Illinois while supporting farming communities. 

The IAA Foundation is pleased to offer 100 awards totaling $201,501 to students in 2023. The application period runs from January 1 - February 15, 2023. At this time, students can review eligibility guidelines in the Scholarship Overview. 

In addition to eligibility criteria, recipients are selected based on academic performance, activities and involvement, financial plan, essay response and personal statements. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The IAA Foundation endeavors to enhance the future of agriculture by providing college fellowships to Illinois Farm Families, Illinois Farm Bureau members, spouses, or their children who major in agriculture, agribusiness, or an ag-related course of study. The IAA Foundation is pleased to administer fellowships on behalf of agricultural partners and families who wish to support future generations and help assure a well-qualified and professional agricultural workforce in Illinois while supporting farming communities. 

The IAA Foundation is pleased to offer up to 8 awards totaling $37,500 to students in 2022. The application period runs from January 1 - February 15, 2022.

2022 Fellowships Offered

The IAA Foundation is pleased to support the charitable wishes of our generous donors and the future of agriculture by offering Harris Thomas Fellowships, Jean Stubblefield Fellowships, and Charles B. Shuman Fellowship.

Harris Thomas Fellowships: Up to five awards ranging from $2,500-$5,000 each are available. Students studying an agriculture related field at any public university, excluding the University of Illinois, are eligible. A preference is given to students from southern Illinois, defined as south of Springfield, IL. 

Jean Stubblefield Fellowships: Up to two awards ranging from $2,500-$5,000 each. Students studying an agriculture related field at any public university are eligible. A preference is given to students whose area of research applies to dogs, cattle, sheep or swine. 

Charles B. Shuman Fellowship: Up to one award of $2,500. Students studying at any public university with a major or area of study focusing on agricultural policy, agricultural marketing infrastructure, domestic and international trade of agricultural products, seed technology, or agricultural management and production practices are eligible. 

Truck drivers are critical for transporting farm commodities, inputs, and food throughout our state and nation. Without truck drivers, the entire supply chain breaks down. The Driving Agriculture Forward Scholarship Program, funded by the Illinois Farm Bureau, offsets the cost of required commercial truck driver training and ensures more well-trained, safe drivers are available to drive agriculture forward.  

The IAA Foundation is pleased to offer 20 $1,000 awards to students enrolled at a Community College Truck Driver Training in 2022.

Once available, the application link will be posted HERE.

Eligibility Requirements

1. Illinois resident
2. Enrolled in or planning to enroll in a commercial driving training program at an Illinois Community College during the three-month award window. Proof of enrollment must be provided when a recipient enrolls to receive the award.
3. An endorsement form signed by a farmer, County Farm Bureau leader, agribusiness, or food processing business
4. IAA Directors and employees of IFB, or their immediate family members, are not eligible to apply.

Awards
Awards will be made first-come, first-served and based on the Illinois Farm Bureau region where the student resides. Each cycle will award one scholarship to each region and one at-large scholarship will be awarded based on a lottery selection from those students who did not receive the scholarship for their region.

Applicants receiving the scholarship must provide proof of enrollment in a driver training program during the three-month award cycle. If a student does not provide proof of enrollment during that period, they will forfeit the scholarship. Payments will be made directly to the Community College where the student is enrolled to assist with the cost of the driver training program.

Application Windows 
Window one will be open March 1-31, 2022, for applicants enrolling in driver training April 1 through June 30, 2022.

Window two will open June 1-30, 2022, for applicants enrolling in driver training July 1 through September 30, 2022.

Window three will open on September 1-30, 2022, for applicants enrolling in driver training October 1 through December 31, 2022.

Window four will open on December 1-31, 2022, for applicants enrolling in driver training January 1 to March 31, 2023.

In alignment with our mission to support Illinois farm families and the future of agriculture through education, the IAA Foundation is pleased to announce the 2021 scholarship recipients. 

Seventy-six students were selected to receive scholarships based on their academic achievement, participation and leadership in school and community organizations, and overall commitment to success. A total of $122,000 will be distributed to assist with tuition costs for the 2021-2022 school year. The Foundation received 345 applications this year, representing 85 counties from across the state of Illinois. 

CONGRATULATIONS to all of our 2021 Scholarship Recipients! It is an honor and a privilege to support deserving students through our diverse scholarship program. 

We administer scholarships on behalf of agricultural partners and Farm Bureau families who wish to support future generations and help assure a well-qualified and professional agricultural workforce. Scholarships can also be a meaningful way to pay tribute to a loved one. Each donor relationship is unique, so let's connect to find out how we can make your charitable wishes a reality.