Conservation Scholarship 

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Considering a career in conservation?

Many fields of study can lead to a career in conservation. Education in law enforcement, fisheries management, wildlife management, public relations, environmental education and interpretation and many other fields always benefit the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The Conservation Scholarship Program uses funds from the sale of conservation license plates to let students reach their potential and create tomorrow’s conservation professionals.


Minimum Requirements

Applicants must be Arkansas high school seniors or Arkansas college students pursuing a career in a field related to natural resources conservation with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale). Only resident students paying in-state tuition may apply. Selections are based purely on merit, without discrimination to race, sex, religion, age, color or national origin.


Scholarship Conditions

The scholarship grants $1,000 per semester. Applicants must submit a renewal application along with current official transcript before the deadline each semester to continue funding. Recipients are eligible for up to eight semesters (consecutive or non-consecutive) of scholarship funding. Scholarships are paid directly to the college or university.


How are scholarship recipients chosen?

The selection committee is made up of persons not employed by the AGFC. Scholarship recipients are chosen based on a standardized scoring system approved by AGFC.

The criteria for scoring include the applicant’s GPA, classification, responses to the essay questions, volunteer/employment experience, leadership activities, information on letters of recommendations and information on the official academic transcript.


First-time Scholarship Applicant

How do I apply for the AGFC Conservation Scholarship for the first time?

Step 1: 

Fill out all fields of the First-time Scholarship application form. (For first-time applicants or applicants who have skipped a semester.)

Step 2:

Include a typewritten response to the questions below, each on a separate sheet of paper.

  1. Career choice. Explain how your field of study and career path relate to natural resource conservation (about 150 words).

  2. Leadership activities. Please describe your accomplishments in leadership roles. List organizations, dates and offices held. May include conservation and professional organizations as well as school- or community-based activities (about 200 words).

  3. Employment/Volunteer experience. List any related work or volunteer experience (about 100 words).

  4. Essay. Please discuss your philosophy of fish and wildlife conservation as it relates to environmental stewardship (about 300 words).

Step 3:

Please include the following additional materials with your First-time Scholarship application form:

  1. Three personal references with names, addresses and telephone numbers.

  2. A letter of recommendation from your advisor, counselor or a school faculty member.

  3. An official transcript. (High school students must send high school transcripts, college students may submit only their most recent college transcripts for consideration.)

Step 4:

If you are a first-time applicant, mail your completed First-time Scholarship application form and materials to:

AGFC Scholarship Program - First Time Applicant
Education and Information Division
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205

Completed First-time Scholarship application forms must be postmarked by June 8, 2012, for the fall semester. Applicants will be notified by mid-July 2012.

NOTE: We recommend that you send your application and materials via certified mail or request delivery confirmation when mailing to ensure that we receive it. Exceptions to the deadline cannot be made.


Renewal Scholarship Applicant

How do I renew my AGFC Conservation Scholarship for the 2012-2013 school year?

Step 1: 

Fill out all fields of the Renewal Scholarship application form.

Step 2:

If you are renewing your scholarship, mail your completed Renewal Scholarship application form and official transcript to:

AGFC Scholarship Program - Renewal Applicant
Education and Information Division
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205

Completed Renewal Scholarship application forms must be postmarked by June 8, 2012, for the fall semester. Applicants will be notified by mid-July 2012. Completed applications must be postmarked by January 7, for the spring semester. 

NOTE: We recommend that you send your application and materials via certified mail or request delivery confirmation when mailing to ensure that we receive it. Exceptions to the deadline cannot be made.