With so much attention paid to the nation’s largest cities, it’s easy to forget that a significant portion of the population lives in rural areas. Thankfully, students in these sparsely populated regions aren’t overlooked when it comes to scholarship opportunities. There’s a plethora of aid available for them.
One of the largest initiatives to help rural students pay for college is the America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders Scholarship, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund. Applicants must live in one of 1,326 approved counties in 40 states, be under age 23 and have at least three farmers endorse them.
Applicants must also have a minimum 2.5 GPA and be pursuing or intending to pursue an agriculture-related degree. In the last scholarship cycle, Grow Ag Leaders awarded students more than $500,000, with each applicant earning a $1,500 scholarship.
In addition to other requirements, applicants must be high school seniors and U.S. citizens with a minimum C grade-point average. The scholarship application is available every October with a March 1 postmarked date. Winners are announced May 1.
The Hagan Scholarship was designed for high-achieving students with financial need from counties with fewer than 50,000 residents. Applicants must live in one of 20 approved states and have graduated from an eligible public high school.
Those applying must have an ACT score of at least 23 and a minimum 3.5 GPA. The Hagan Scholarship also mandates students work at least 240 hours in the 12 months prior to the start of the college. Students who meet these requirements could win up to $5,000 per semester to help cover unmet financial need.
Students from certain rural areas of New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have the opportunity to apply for the McKelvey Foundation Gold Scholarship. To qualify, students must demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, attend an approved high school and plan to enroll in a qualifying college or university. Applicants must also be of low or middle income to win the award.
Ten freshmen will receive an award that covers their full in-state tuition for up to four years. Applicants must must have a strong academic history with a minimum 3.5 GPA and at least a 27 on the ACT.
Gay men under age 35 who have completed high school and are U.S. citizens can apply for one of the Gamma Mu Foundation scholarships. Preference is given to students who come from, are living in or plan to attend school in rural or underserved locations.
The scholarship committee will consider other key factors, including applicants’ strong academic history. Applicants should also be enrolled full time in an accredited college or university. Awards range between $1,000 and $2,500 and can be used for undergraduate and post-graduate studies or vocational programs.
