Scholarship
2023/2024 UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP
DOWNLOAD THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM
The California Chapter of the American Society of Agronomy will award one or more scholarships to eligible California resident/s currently enrolled in a degree program in crop production, plant science, soil science, agronomy, or a related science field.
ELIGIBILITY:
- Applicant must be an undergraduate of at least sophomore-level standing and be enrolled full-time the semester or quarter of the award or the semester or quarter immediately following the award.
- Applicant must be a resident of California and be enrolled in a California college or university.
- Applicant must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale) calculated through the last quarter or semester prior to application.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:
- Download the application form below and complete items 1-4. Applications are due by midnight January 12, 2024.
- Scholarship funds will be released upon selection and proof of enrollment. Recipients will be notified by Friday, January 19, 2024 with the monetary award available after February 1st.
- Scholarship recipients are required to report the monetary amount of the award to the financial aid department of the academic institution in which they are enrolled.
- All scholarship recipients will be recognized at the annual California Plant & Soil Conference, which will be held on February 6-7, 2024. Recipients will receive free registration to attend the conference. Attendance at the conference is encouraged but not required. A limited amount of travel funds are available for qualified student attendees. Please visit https://na-admin.eventscloud.com/docs/9711/400470 for detailed instructions regarding student travel funds.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Submit all application materials by email to Dr. Marja Koivunen at mekoivunen@gmail.com. Applications must be received no later than midnight Friday, January 12, 2024.
1. Personal Information
Complete the application form, click here to access the application form. Email the form before the deadline to mekoivunen@gmail.com.
2. Essay (40% of score)
Provide an autobiographical statement on a single page according to the instructions below. Use single spacing and Arial font no smaller than 11 pt. Do not include your name anywhere on the essay. Save your essay as a pdf and submit it with the rest of your application.
Autobiographical Statement Instructions
Your essay should describe your goals and achievements to benefit California agriculture.
This is your opportunity to demonstrate your path of personal and professional development by referring to specifics from your life: internships, jobs or experiences, classwork, etc., that have been formative in guiding you down your career path. Be detailed. Focus on describing your past experiences in reference to any future plans and/or goals you have. Any future plans described should be well supported by past experiences and choices, as described in your essay. If you have specified a focus in your studies in the application, e.g. plant breeding or precision agriculture, your essay should discuss details about your focus.
Your essay should be well-written with good grammar and punctuation and must follow the formatting guidelines specified above.
3. Scholarship or academic performance (30% of score)
Include transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. Unofficial transcripts or photocopies are acceptable but must be clearly legible.
4. Letters of recommendation (30% of score)
Provide two letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a college or university faculty member and the other from an agriculture professional in or outside academia. Letters of recommendation are due by the application deadline (January 12, 2024). Emailed letters sent to mekoivunen@gmail.com from the reference are preferred. Letters sent as hardcopies by the applicant must be in a sealed envelope provided by the reference. Letters emailed by applicants will not be accepted.
DOWNLOAD THE SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM!
Please note: Applicants should send all required materials, except the letters of recommendation which are sent directly by references. Send your application package as a pdf document to Dr. Koivunen in a single email.