2026 WCFB Foundation Upperclassman Scholarship Application

WASHINGTON COUNTY FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION UPPERCLASSMAN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
The attached application is for a Washington County Farm Bureau Foundation Upperclassman Scholarship. To assist you with completing the application, a hard copy is also available by contacting the Farm Bureau office at (618) 327-3081, or by email at washperrymgr@washingtoncfb.org. The number and dollar amount of Upperclassman scholarships awarded will vary depending upon the number of applications received and the availability of funds, but last year’s scholarship amount was $2,000 each. Scholarship checks will be presented at the Washington CFB Annual Meeting in January 2027, following submission of transcripts from the fall semester of college and a schedule for spring semester showing full-time status (12 credit hours). Recipients failing to submit these items by February 1, 2027 will forfeit their scholarship and have to reapply.

Previous Upperclassman Scholarship recipients are not eligible to win another scholarship unless the Foundation does not receive any new applications or extra funds become available.

To be eligible for consideration, an applicant MUST:
- Be a Washington County Farm Bureau member or member’s dependent no later than the March board meeting
- Be enrolled full-time (12 hours) in their second year or above (as of the coming spring semester) at a college or university with the intention of gaining a bachelor’s degree
- Exhibit potential for successful completion of course of study
  - This requires the student maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale.
- Be a resident of Washington County, Illinois
The criteria for awarding the scholarships are as follows:
- Demonstrated professional interest and experience in agriculture and agribusiness
- Character and Personality
  - Demonstrated leadership
  - Maturity and moral character
  - Intellectual interests
  - Industriousness and motivation
- Scholastic Achievement
  - Academic performance and honors
Applications, transcripts and letters of recommendation must be received at the Washington County Farm Bureau by March 31, 2026. Transcripts and recomendation letters can be emailed to washcfb@washingtoncfb.org or mailed to:

Washington County Farm Bureau Foundation

P.O. Box 112

Nashville, IL 62263

Thank you for your interest in the Washington County Farm Bureau Foundation’s Upperclassman Scholarship. Scholarship recipients will be selected and notified by the end of April 2026. Good Luck!
UPPERCLASSMAN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
Part I: General Information
Full Name*
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Home Address*
City*
State*
ZIP*
Phone Number*
Email*
example@example.com
Student’s Address (If not living at home)
Street or P.O. Box Number
City, State and Zip
Applicant’s or Parents’ Farm Bureau membership number*
Father’s name in full*
Mother’s name in full*
Part II: Academic Information
High school*
Date of Graduation*

MonthDayYear
Date
What was your high school GPA?*
College or university attending or accepted*
Major*
Community college attended (if applicable)
Community College GPA (if applicable)
Current GPA if enrolled at a post-secondary school*
What high school/college academic awards have you received?*
Part III: Activities
List the activities in which you participated in college or high school. Indicate offices and positions of leadership you held as well as any honors you received based on your participation.*
List the community activities (church, civic, etc.) in which you have participated. Indicate offices and positions of leadership you have held as well as any honors you have received based on you participation.*
Describe any employment experiences you have had during school or summer break.*
Briefly summarize your experience or interest in agriculture and/or agribusiness.*
Part IV: Financial Need
** The following information will only be used to aid the committee in their deliberation if they feel it necessary. The information you provide will be kept strictly confidential. **
Do you, or will you, work during the school year to support your education?*
If so, what type of work?
Will you work during the school breaks and in the summer months?*
If so, what type of work and where?
Indicate the percentage on each as it compares to how you will finance your education:
Parents/guardian
Tuition waiver
In-school employment
Out-of-school employment
Federal loans
Federal grants
Scholarships
Savings
Other (please specify)
Do you have any siblings that will be enrolled in college at the same time you will be attending?*

YESNO
If yes, how many?
What year(s) will they be enrolled at the same time as you?
In the remaining space below, include any other information you feel is relevant to your financial need.
Part V: Essay
Describe your professional goals and objectives, as well as the contributions you expect to make to agriculture/agribusiness, and how this scholarship will help you achieve these goals. Include an explanation of how your work experience relates to your future goals.*
Explain why the Foundation should select you for this scholarship.*
Part VI: References
1. Please submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher, professor, or other instructor in whose class you have been enrolled. This letter should address qualities such as academic level, school involvement, desire to learn and improve, and ability to work as part of a team.

2. Please submit one letter of recommendation from an employer, supervisor, or leader in your life. This letter should address the student’s personal and professional character, work ethic, motivation to succeed and prospects toward a career in agriculture.

** References may not be relatives of the applicant **

On the next page please upload two letters of recomendation.

WASHINGTON COUNTY FARM BUREAU FOUNDATION UPPERCLASSMAN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

UPPERCLASSMAN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Part I: General Information

Part II: Academic Information

Part III: Activities

Part IV: Financial Need

Part V: Essay

Part VI: References