The Secure Optimal Yield Scholarship
 
The 2011-2012 Secure Optimal Yield Scholarship is a $5,000 one-time scholarship award presented to a High School Senior who is going to pursue Agriculture as a degree area of study at any accredited College or University of their choosing.  The scholarship is managed by the American Soybean Association and is made possible through a grant by BASF Corporation. 
 
The scholarship will be presented in $2,500 increments per semester.  The student must maintain successful academic progress and be in good standing with the College or University to receive the full amount of the scholarship.  Candidates may apply on-line Sept. 1, 2010 through November 15, 2010.  Final Selection will be made the first week of December.  The student will be notified prior to an official announcement made in March 2011, during Commodity Classic in Tampa, FL.    BASF sponsors the winner and one parent to attend Commodity Classic for two days to participate and receive special recognition at the ASA Awards Banquet on the Friday night of Commodity Classic.  See below for specific scholarship requirements.

To apply on-line or download an application, go to
 
http://www.soygrowers.com/soy/scholarship.htm

2011-2012 Scholarship Requirements
 
· HS GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale to apply and submit a current HS transcript
 
· HS transcript can be official or unofficial but must show HS GPA scale. For example how high does the scale go 4.00 or 5.00?
 
· Applicant must be the child or grandchild of a current ASA member.  Only one award per household for the duration of the life of the scholarship.
 
· Applicant must plan to declare Agriculture (or discipline in the school of Agriculture as a degree area of study at any accredited College or University of their choosing.
 
 
· Applicant must submit most recent ACT/and or SAT standardized test score.
 
· Applicant must maintain a college GPA of 2.5 and remain in good standing with the College or University to obtain the full scholarship.  (GPA will be checked between semesters)
 
· Applicant must complete an essay of 500 words or less, entitled, “What does the future of agriculture look like, and what role will I play in that future.”
 
· Applicant must provide two letters of recommendation from an authority figure dealing directly with the student’s academic progress such as HS Guidance Counselor, Ag teacher, other Advisor etc. and one personal recommendation letter, such as FFA advisor. 
 
· Applicant must show demonstrated extra-curricular activities/leadership skills in agriculture activities.
 
· Scholarship application will ask if student has taken Advanced Placement Courses and/or if they were offered at their HS.
 
· Student’s parent or grandparent must remain a current member throughout the tenure of the student’s scholarship.
 
Selection Process
 
· Applicants fill out on-line application from September 1, 2010 through November 15, 2010
· Scholarship winner will be selected in early December and the winner will be notified
· The official public announcement of the winner will be made at Commodity Classic in Tampa, Florida in early March.
 
Selected Candidates Scoring
 
20% HS GPA and ACT/and or SAT standardized test score
20% Response to Essay Question
30% Extra-curricular/leadership activities related to agriculture
30% two letters of recommendation.  One academic. One personal.