Careers in Conservation Scholarship Program Application

Scholarship Application is now open

Academic Year 2024-2025

Application Deadline: February 2, 2024 @ 11:59PM

The NC Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation’s Careers in Conservation Scholarship Program’s goal is to increase the number of qualified people committed to working in the field of natural resource management thereby supporting the mission of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Scholarship recipients will be students who are 1) currently pursuing or have firm plans to pursue a college degree in natural resource management or other closely related fields, 2) attending a North Carolina university or community college, AND 3) a North Carolina resident. The term “college” will be used to reference both a university or community college throughout the application.

The Foundation’s scholarship program is funded by generous donations of the Bowman family and other private donors.

Important note for prior scholarship recipients: You are required to reapply each year to be considered again for the scholarship. Future awards are not guaranteed for prior year recipients.

Applications using a link to a personal website for an answer will be considered incomplete.

SAVING A DRAFT APPLICATION: You have the option of saving a draft application if you are unable to complete it in one session. The bottom of the application has a “Save and Continue Later” button that will give you the option to come back to your application within 30 days. After that, your application will expire and you will need to start over.

EMAIL CONFIRMATION: You will receive a copy of your submitted application by email. Please be sure to check your spam folder if you don’t see it. If you still don’t receive it, and wish to receive a copy, please email Program Manager, Alicia Moore.

Name(Required)

First Last

Pronouns

She/Her/Hers

He/Him/His

They/Them/Theirs

Other

Select your county of primary residence (home county).(Required)

Home Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Parent/Guardian Name(Required)

First Last

Parent/Guardian Name

First Last

Do you have a parent/guardian that works in the agricultural or natural resources field? If yes, list the name of the company or organization where your family member works. (such as NC Dept. of Agri., Soil and Water District, BASF, etc). If no, please mark Not applicable or N/A.(Required)

Please indicate your current status as an applicant.(Required)

I am a new applicant

I am a previous applicant

I am a current recipient of the scholarship

Select your current school enrollment status. Please note: if you are not currently a high school senior or college student, you're not eligible to apply this year.(Required)

Please verify your student status. Select "Yes" if the following statements is true: I will be a full time student both semesters, Fall of 2023 and Spring of 2024.(Required)

Yes- will be a full time student both semesters

No - will not be a full time student

Other

Hidden

Current High School Seniors complete this section

Name of High School you will be graduating from:(Required)

Please list your class rank:(Required)

Please list your SAT Scores or ACT scores and dates of examination.(Required)

Hidden

All Applicants complete this section

List Name of College applicant is enrolled in. If you have not been accepted yet, list N/A .(Required)

If you have NOT started college: list the name of your first choice college and the date you plan to start college. List your second choice college, also.(Required)

List any previous colleges attended, including start and end dates. If you are a high school student and have completed college courses, please complete this question (a college transcript will be required). If you have not taken any college courses, list N/A in the blank.(Required)

If you graduated from high school, and have not started college (a gap year) please explain your reason for the gap in years. If not applicable , list N/A(Required)

Please list any college classes (or high school classes) you have completed for your major. Please do not include general education classes. Only list classes specific to your career plans such as soil science, crop science, animal science, advanced biology, etc.(Required)

List school related extra-curricular activities by organization name and positions held, starting with most current. For example FFA Chapter President.(Required)

List all school related awards received, starting with the most current. For example Dean's List Fall 2022.(Required)

Describe any research related projects you are actively engaged in, starting with the most current.(Required)

List any community service activities you have participated in by organization name, starting with the most current. For example Habitat for Humanity, Food Bank, Service projects, etc.(Required)

Provide your employment history for the last four years including start and end dates, company name, and job title starting with the most current. This can also include working on your family farm or for other farmers.(Required)

Describe any farming or agribusiness related activities you are engaged in and your level of participation. For example, Farmers Market stand worker, Farm worker on row crop operation, Show animals through 4H, etc.(Required)

Describe any Soil & Water Conservation District programs you or your family have participated in. For example, Resource Conservation Workshop attendee, Envirothon Team member, EQIP or Ag. Cost Share contract on family farm, etc.(Required)

Share your career aspirations including what degree you are pursuing.(Required)

List any other scholarships and amount you will receive in the 2023/2024 school year.(Required)

List the estimated total direct cost for your academic career. Include all costs such as tuition, housing, meal plan, etc.(Required)

List the total estimated financial resources available to you including family resources.(Required)

List the remaining financial support needed to fund your Fall 2023/Spring 2024 school years.(Required)

Optional - List any financial hardships that you or your family is dealing with that you think is important for the Scholarship Committee to know. Any responses will not be shared outside of the committee review process.

Optional - Is there any other information you would like to share with the selection committee?

Transcripts - Applicants currently enrolled in college are required to submit an official current transcript of all college courses completed by the date of the application. High School transcripts are acceptable if the student has not completed a semester of college as of December 31, 2022. Transcripts are to be mailed directly from the college or high school to: NC Foundation for Soil and Water Conservation, 1401 Sunset Drive, Suite 202, Greensboro, NC 27408-7200. Applications will not be reviewed until a transcript is received.(Required)

I agree to submit a transcript and understand my application will not be reviewed until it is received.

I DO NOT agree to submit a transcript and understand that my application will not be reviewed.

Optional - An applicant is eligible to submit up to three letters of recommendation. A supporting letter from your Soil and Water Conservation District staff members or Board is encouraged. Letters should be submitted from the letter writer directly to the Foundation Executive Director, Amanda Sand by email to scholarship@ncsoilwater.org(Required)

Yes, I will submit recommendation letters.

No, I will not submit recommendation letters.