Conservation Scholarship 

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The window to submit an application is Friday, May 3 through Friday, June 7. Please be sure the transcript you submit includes grades from the Spring 2013 semester. 

 

Considering a career in conservation?

The AGFC Conservation Scholarship Program encourages young people to pursue careers in fish and wildlife management, natural resources, and education. These career opportunities include jobs in wildlife law enforcement, fisheries management, wildlife management, nongame specialists, environmental education, and various related fields.

 

Minimum Requirements

Applicants must be Arkansas high school seniors or Arkansas college students who plan to attend an accredited Arkansas college or university. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher (4.0 scale) and must pursue a degree in an approved field of study:

  • Environmental Management and Regulatory Science
  • Environmental Management/ Geographic Information Systems Technician
  • Forest Resources
  • Fisheries and Wildlife Biology
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Studies
  • Forestry
  • Wildlife Ecology and Management
  • Wildlife Management
  • Education
  • Biology
  • Criminal Justice
  • Zoology
  • Botany
  • Animal Science
  • Recreation and Park Administration
  • Agriculture
  • Criminal Science
  • Political Science
  • Fisheries Management
  • Conservation Management

Only Arkansas residents paying in-state tuition are eligible. Selections are based purely on merit, without discrimination to race, sex, religion, age, color, or national origin.

 

Renewal Eligibility Minimum Requirements

  • Maintain cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher (4.0 scale).
  • Maintain status as a full-time student at an accredited Arkansas college or university.
  • Continue to pursue a degree in an approved field of study.

 

Scholarship Conditions

The AGFC Conservation scholarship grants $1,000 to each awardee per semester, based on continued eligibility. Scholarships are paid directly to the college or university.

Scholarship awardees must submit a renewal application form, along with their most recent official transcript (and where applicable, a letter of enrollment) each semester to document continued eligibility and continue to receive their scholarship. Awardees are eligible for up to eight semesters of scholarship funding. If these eight semesters are non-consecutive, the student must reapply as a first-time applicant after the break in funding. NOTE: First-time applications are only accepted for fall semesters, and applicants must meet the postmark deadline.

 

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

  2. An official transcript. (High school students must send high school transcripts, college students may submit only their most recent college transcripts for consideration.) Photo copies and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted.

  3. If your official transcript does not list your declared field of study (major), you must also include a letter of enrollment (UA-Statement of Standing) from your university registrar's office.

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 Division
2 Natural Resources Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205

Completed First-time Scholarship applications must be postmarked by June 7, 2013, for the fall semester. Applicants will be notified by mid-July 2013.

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.

First-time applications are only accepted for fall semesters.

 

Renewal Scholarship Applicant

How do I renew my AGFC Conservation Scholarship for the 2013-2014 school year?

Step 1:  

Fill out all fields of the Renewal Scholarship application form.

Step 2:

Complete the Renewal Scholarship application form and obtain an official transcript.

New This Semester: If your official transcript does not list your declared field of study (major), you must also include a letter of enrollment (UA-Statement of Standing) from your university registrar's office.

Mail forms to:

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

Completed Renewal Scholarship application forms must be postmarked by June 7, 2013, for the fall semester. Applicants will be notified by mid-July 2013. Completed applications must be postmarked by January 8, 2014 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.