Dear Scholarship Applicant:

To be eligible for a scholarship, one must be a high school senior graduating in the Spring; or a current College Freshman, Sophomore or Junior enrolled in an Illinois junior college, college, university or trade school and majoring in agriculture. One must also be a resident of Macoupin County and/or have attended a Macoupin County school district.

All comments and any documents submitted on the behalf of the applicant will be kept confidential.

Applicant selection shall be made based on the information provided on this application.  The intent of the scholarship is to provide encouragement and financial assistance to students who display well balanced attributes of good citizenship, commitment to agriculture, participation and leadership in extra curricular activities and scholastic ability.

Scholarships will be awarded in the following amount: 6-$1,000. 

Requests for electronic copies of this application can be made by contacting the Farm Bureau office at: mcfb@gomadison.com

All applications must be submitted to the Farm Bureau Office by March 27, 2026 (P.O. Box 77; Carlinville, IL 62626).

If you have any questions, please contact the Farm Bureau Office at (217) 854-2571.

Sincerely,

Mark Dugger, Executive Director
Macoupin County Agriculture
Education Foundation

SCHOLARSHIP INTENT: 

To provide encouragement and financial assistance to Macoupin County residents and/or students of Macoupin County schools who display well-balanced attributes of good citizenship, commitment to agriculture, participation and leadership in extra curricular activities and scholastic ability.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

The applicant must be a graduating High School Senior or a current College student who plans to attend or is attending an Illinois junior college, college, university or trade school and majoring in agriculture.

PROGRAM PROCEDURE:

1. Applicants may obtain a scholarship application form from their High School Ag Teacher, 4-H Leader, or Guidance Counselor or from the Macoupin County Farm Bureau Office.

2. Completed applications must be returned by March 27, 2026 to:

Macoupin County Farm Bureau
220 North Broad, PO Box 77
Carlinville, IL  62626
ATTN:  Macoupin County Agriculture Education Foundation

3. In completing the application, applicants must demonstrate the required attributes.

4. Scholarships will be awarded at the discretion of the MCAE Board of Directors.  Each scholarship recipient will receive scholarship monies credited to his or her account at the junior college, college, university, or trade school he or she is attending, after a copy of the current Fall semester tuition bill is received by the Farm Bureau Office.  Payment will be made directly to the institution - not the individual.

5. Applicants will be judged by a panel of three anonymous judges who reside outside of Macoupin County.  Judge selection shall be the responsibility of the Foundation Board of Directors. 

6. Applicants will be notified by May 11, 2026, of the Selection Committee's decision.

7. News releases will be sent to all County newspapers and radio stations announcing the Scholarship recipient.

8. Applications must be typewritten.

9. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of his or her application and references in the following areas.  Each area is worth a total of 10 points:

• Academics
• Activities and Leadership
• Professional Goals
• Financial Need
• References
• Exceptional Considerations - This could include parent's occupation, unusual family situations, exceptional leadership involvement, etc. 

10. Scholarships will be awarded based on the total score awarded to the applicant using the above criteria.  Sholarships will be awards as follows: 6 - $1,000 scholarships.