 Giannoulias will award 10 $2,500 scholarships to deserving students
who plan on attending an Illinois-based college or university in the
fall.
"This scholarship program brings out the best and the brightest
for the future of agriculture in Illinois," Giannoulias said. "The
treasurer's office is always thrilled to award these scholarships to
help students achieve their goals and promote Illinois' agricultural
industry, especially in these tough economic times."
High school seniors who are Illinois residents can apply for
these scholarships. Eligible students must have a minimum 2.75
grade-point average during the 2008-09 school year, be accepted at
an accredited higher education institution in Illinois by May 15,
and plan to pursue a career in agriculture or an agriculture-related
field.
Students must also submit a completed application, which is
available from
www.treasurer.il.gov, or call 217-557-6436. Applications must be
postmarked on or before May 14.
Kaitlin Weitekamp of Raymond won one of the scholarships last
year, which enabled her to pursue her agriculture business degree at
the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
"I am the youngest of seven, and my family is not made of money,"
Weitekamp said. "Sometimes it is difficult to get financial
assistance for college, so offering something to those who have
applied themselves to promoting agriculture is wonderful."
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Applicants must include the following information with their
application:
-
A typed essay
(minimum 250 words) identifying the reason(s) you want to pursue
a career in agriculture or an agriculture-related field
-
An official high
school transcript
-
Two letters of
reference, including one from a non-school source
-
A list of
extracurricular activities
-
A statement of
goals and future plans
-
A scholarship selection committee will
select the winners. The treasurer's office will announce the
winners by June 1.
These scholarships are funded through the Bright Start College
Savings Program, which is run by the treasurer's office.
Bright Start is
Illinois' 529 college savings plan and an easy, tax-free way to
invest for college.
[Text from file received from the
Illinois State Treasurer's
Office]
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