Academic Scholarships

Awards and scholarships are available to students in Crop and Soil Sciences who show outstanding scholarship, character, leadership and involvement in department activities. They are presented annually at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Honors Banquet during Spring semester. For more information, contact your academic advisor.

Academic Award Winners

Agronomy Awards and Scholarships

Department of Crop and Soil Sciences

The Crop and Soil Sciences department has scholarships available each year for sophomores, juniors, and seniors based on GPA. Scholarships range from $1000 to $3500 per student and one-half of the scholarship is awarded each semester. Scholarship Application Forms PDF Document are due by April 20.

American Society of Agronomy Outstanding Senior Award: Chosen by a faculty committee. The recipient is a senior in Crop and Soil Sciences who combines leadership in the Spartan Agronomy Club and other departmental activities with a high level of academic success. The recipient receives an engraved plaque and key.
CSS Faculty Awards: Presented annually to students who have completed at least two semesters of study at MSU and who demonstrate outstanding leadership and scholarship. The recipients are chosen by a faculty committee.
Elmer C. Rossman Endowed Scholarship: Presented annually to an undergraduate student who has completed at least two semesters of study and demonstrates outstanding leadership and scholarship. The recipient is chosen by a faculty committee.
L. S. Robertson Soil and Water Conservation Endowed Scholarship: Presented to a student emphasizing soil and/or water conservation and related fields. The recipient is chosen by a faculty committee.
Leyton V. Nelson Endowed Scholarship: Presented annually to an undergraduate student who has completed at least two semesters of study and demonstrates outstanding leadership and scholarship. The recipient is chosen by a faculty committee.
Michigan Crop Improvement Scholarship: Awarded to incoming freshmen students. Recipients will have a range of paid work experiences available in research laboratories, field research, teaching assistant, and/or a Michigan Crop Improvement Association laboratory worker and field inspector.
Robert Lucas Scholarship: Awarded to incoming freshman, with high academic ability and/or financial need. The recipient is chosen by a faculty committee.
Roy A. and Amelia M. Greenia Endowed Scholarship: Awarded to one or more undergraduate students majoring in Crop and Soil Sciences, with a preference given to undergraduate students in the Agronomic Sciences curriculum.

College or Agriculture and Natural Resources

The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources has scholarship opportunities External Link that are open to students from various majors.

Alumni Scholarships: Presented to juniors and Agricultural Technology students. See the ANR Alumni Association Scholarships for more information.
Arlon E. and Shirley A. Elser Scholarship: Partial tuition for Fall 2012 and Spring 2013. Eligibility: Returning students in Crop and Soil Sciences or other CANR majors; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU with an MSU GPA of at least 3.00. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
Bayer Scholarship: Awarded to a junior or senior in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources or the College of Natural Science, with an interest in pest management.
Clark and Margaret Brody Scholarship: Partial tuition for Fall 2012. Eligibility: Returning Freshman or above FS12; students enrolled in agriculture and natural resources related majors; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
E.B. Hill Endowed Scholarship: Partial tuition for Fall 2012. Eligibility: Returning Freshman or above FS12; students enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU with an MSU GPA of at least 3.50. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
Edison Hale Hunt Scholarship: Partial tuition for Fall 2012. Eligibility: Returning Freshman or above FS12; students with a major in Animal Science, Biosystems Engineering, Technology Systems Management, Crop and Soil Sciences, Entomology, Horticulture or Plant Pathology; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
George E. Parsons Scholarship: $2000 for Fall 2012 and Spring 2013. Renewable for a second year. Eligibility: Junior or Senior FS12; MSU GPA of at least 3.20; students must be from a working farm and have a major in ANR Education, Animal Science, CSS-agronomy or Horticulture; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
Joseph R. Shaltry Scholarship: $1500 to be awarded for Fall 2012. Eligibility: Sophomore or above FS12; MSU GPA of at least 2.75; Preference for students who attended High School in Saginaw or Huron counties; demonstrated financial need; participation in FFA and demonstrated leadership skills in High School and College. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
Lansing Area Farmers Club Scholarship: This scholarship is available to all students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. To be eligible for a scholarship a student must be a Junior or Senior in academic good standing Fall Semester 2012, demonstrate evidence of extra-curricular activities, have a good and consistently improving academic record. The scholarship will provide $1000 for Academic Year 2012-13. Lansing Area Farmers Club Scholarship applications are due by Monday, April 30, 2012.
Martin Victor Brown Scholarship: Partial tuition for Fall 2012. Eligibility: Returning Freshman or above FS12; students enrolled in agriculture and natural resources related majors; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
Production Agriculture Scholarships: Up to $2000 is available to students in CANR who plan to undertake a career that directly contributes to production agriculture after completion of their undergraduate programs. To be eligible for the scholarship a student must have an MSU GPA of at least 2.75 and be a Freshman or Sophomore with a major preference in CANR or a Junior or Senior with a major in CANR during the 2011-12 academic year. Students must submit a Production Ag Scholarship application by Friday, May 4, 2012.

There are also many other scholarship opportunities available from the Office of Financial Aid External Link

Michigan

There are many scholarship opportunities available to students outside of the university. These are some of the scholarships that have been awarded to CSS students in recent years.

Centennial Farm Association Scholarship: Awarded to a junior or senior, from a Centennial farm. Applications are available in 121 Agriculture Hall.
County Farm Bureau Scholarships: Student must be a member of the Farm Bureau to qualify. See the Michigan Farm Bureau Scholarships page for more information.
Jordan Tatter Scholarship: Award provides support to students pursuing a career in or working with the fruit and vegetable industries. Scholarship applications are due in October.
Michigan Agri-Business Association Scholarships: Students are eligible for these scholarships for a maximum of four semesters and must submit a new application for each semester. Scholarship applications are due June 1 and October 1.
Michigan Corn Growers Association Scholarships: Two scholarships are awarded each year and are due in February. For more information, see MCGA Scholarship Program .
Michigan Dairy Memorial and Scholarship Foundation: Available to Freshmen and Agricultural Technology students interested in the dairy industry. Applications are available in 1250 Anthony Hall and are due by April 1.
Michigan Farm Bureau Marge Karker Scholarship: Student must be from a Farm Bureau family or have a Farm Bureau membership. Scholarship applications are due by March 1.
Soils Classifiers Association of Michigan Scholarships: Two scholarships are awarded each year, based on GPA, soil science courses taken, leadership, and interest in the field of soils. Scholarship applications are due by March 15.

National

Annie's Sustainable Agriculture Scholarships: Presented to students pursuing degrees that promote sustainable agriculture. See Annie's Homegrown Web site for more information.
ASA Scholarships: Awarded to undergraduate students pursuing degrees in agriculture. See Agronomy Awards for more information.
CHS Foundation Scholarships: Students currently studying agriculture at select universities around the nation may be eligible to apply for a CHS Foundation University Scholarship. Nearly 150 $1,000 scholarships are awarded annually. See CHS Foundation Scholarships for more information.
Daughters of American Agriculture: The DAA Foundation provides $1000 scholarships to farm, ranch and agribusiness women or their daughters in two categories: the Jean Ibendahl scholarship to high school graduates age 18-23 and the Sister Thomas More Bertels scholarship to women age 24 and over. Scholarship funds may be used for accredited courses in agricultural leadership, communications, rural sociology, medicine, or other courses directly related to agriculture. See Daughters of American Agriculture Scholarships for more information.
Grain Elevator and Processing Society Scholarships: Presented to undergraduates and Agricultural Technology students interested in studying grain-handling operations in a post-secondary program. The application deadline is May 1. See the Grain Elevator and Processing Society for more information.
Mahindra Tractors Women in Agriculture Scholarships: Four $2,500 scholarships awarded to applicants each school year. See Women in Ag Scholarships for more information.
National Corn Growers Association Scholarships: Five $1,000 scholarships are awarded to undergraduate students pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field. See the NCGA Academic Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship Program for more information.
National FFA Scholarships: Awarded to students based on FFA involvement, work experience, Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), community service, leadership skills and academics. See the National FFA Organization Web site for more information.
National Garden Club Scholarships: Awarded to students pursuing degrees in Agriculture, Horticulture, Botany, Biology, and/or other related subjects. See NGC Scholarships for more information.
Secure Optimal Yield Scholarship: Presented by the American Soybean Association and awarded to high school seniors. See Secure Optimal Yield for more information.
Soil and Water Conservation Society Scholarships: Awarded to students pursuing degrees in natural resources conservation. See SWCS Scholarships for more information.
Syngenta Student Scholarships in Potato Growing Areas. Presented to undergraduates pursuing a career in agriculture. Applicants should be or have been previously involved in 4-H or FFA and plan to be involved in the potato-growing industry. For additional information see SyngentaPotatoScholarship.com
Syngenta Sugarbeet Scholarship: Four $1,500 scholarships will be awarded to students in sugarbeet-growing regions of the country to use toward their Fall 2012 college education. See the Syngenta Sugarbeet Scholarship for more information.
USDA Public Service Leaders Scholarship: Provides undergraduate and graduate level students with a challenging internship opportunity combined with a scholarship. The program is designed to promote public service and create access to higher education. Upon successful completion of program and degree requirements, participants become permanent employees of USDA. See the USDA Public Service Leaders Scholarship for more information.
Westchester Foundation Scholarships: Awarded to outstanding students pursuing degrees in agriculture or agriculturally-related subject areas. See the Westchester Foundation for more information.

See the Agriculture Scholarships Web site External Link for information on other scholarship opportunities.

Turfgrass Awards and Scholarships

Arlon E. and Shirley A. Elser Scholarship: Partial tuition for Fall 2012 and Spring 2013. Eligibility: Returning students in Crop and Soil Sciences or other CANR majors; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU with an MSU GPA of at least 3.00. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
Burt Bradshaw Award of Lawn Equipment Inc.: Selected by a faculty committee. The recipient is an outstanding student in turfgrass science and has demonstrated leadership qualities. Plaque and a cash award are presented.
Charles E. and Frances M. Osterman Scholarship: Awarded to one of more undergraduate students majoring in Crop and Soil Sciences with an emphasis in turfgrass management. Applications are submitted in the spring of each year and awarded the following Fall and Spring semesters. Selection is made by the Department Scholarship Committee.
Clark and Margaret Brody Scholarship: Partial tuition for Fall 2012. Eligibility: Returning Freshman or above FS12; students enrolled in agriculture and natural resources related majors; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
E.B. Hill Endowed Scholarship: Partial tuition for Fall 2012. Eligibility: Returning Freshman or above FS12; students enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU with an MSU GPA of at least 3.50. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
Edison Hale Hunt Scholarship: Partial tuition for Fall 2012. Eligibility: Returning Freshman or above FS12; students with a major in Animal Science, Biosystems Engineering, Technology Systems Management, Crop and Soil Sciences, Entomology, Horticulture or Plant Pathology; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Scholarship: Recipient is chosen by the Association on the basis of scholarship, aptitude, achievement, character, attitude, professed interest in golf course management as a career, and a need for financial assistance. Applications for the scholarship are accepted upon the recommendation of the turfgrass advisor or turfgrass faculty only. Interested students should contact their turfgrass advisor, for additional information. The recipient receives a plaque, cash award, and a trip to the GCSAA national meeting.
Greenlawn LLC Scholarship in Turfgrass Management: Awarded to one 4-year Turfgrass Management student, who must be a resident of Michigan, with preference given to a resident of St. Claire County, MI. Scholarship Application Forms are due by April 20.
Martin Victor Brown Scholarship: Partial tuition for Fall 2012. Eligibility: Returning Freshman or above FS12; students enrolled in agriculture and natural resources related majors; demonstrated academic achievement at MSU. Students must submit a CANR Scholarship Application by Friday, May 18, 2012.
MTF Hancock Award: Selected by a committee of faculty members and the Board of Directors of the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation annually chooses a two-year or four-year student, based on character and potential to make a meaningful contribution to the turfgrass industry. The recipient receives a plaque and a cash award.
North Michigan GCSA Award: Award is based on attitude and potential as a golf course superintendent and is given to a resident of northern Michigan enrolled in the two-year or four-year turfgrass program. The award is a certificate and cash.
Trans-Mississippi Golf Association Scholarship: Awarded to a student who demonstrates scholarship, outstanding attitude, and potential as a golf course superintendent. Selection is made by turfgrass faculty members.
Western Michigan GCSA Award: Selected by a committee of industry representatives and turfgrass science faculty chooses a resident of western Michigan who demonstrates leadership, scholarship, and an interest in turfgrass management. A certificate and cash are awarded.

Other Opportunities for Awards and Scholarships

Many companies and organizations offer scholarships to students in agriculture-related fields. Sometimes these scholarships are for students attending Michigan State University; others are competitive on a national basis. Contact your advisor or these organizations for more information.

The state of Michigan also provides help to Michigan college students through:

In addition to these scholarships offered by the department, college, and other organizations, students seeking financial assistance should obtain financial aid information from the Office of Financial Aid External Link , 259 Student Services Building.