The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has opened applications for its 2026 scholarship program, offering significant financial support to graduating high school seniors pursuing agriculture and rural-impact careers. Applications must be submitted online by Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Students or their parent/guardian must be current Iowa Farm Bureau members, and applicants must apply in the county where their membership is held. Membership information is available at the Iowa Farm Bureau website.
To qualify, students must be graduating seniors with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and must be accepted into an accredited technical school, community college, or university. Applicants must intend to major or minor in an agriculture-related field or one that benefits rural Iowa. The program also emphasizes leadership, community involvement, and commitment to agriculture, with participation in school activities such as 4-H, FFA, Honor Society, or Student Council strongly encouraged.
A complete application includes current high school transcripts and two reference letters—one academic and one personal.
Available Scholarships
IFBF State Scholarships:
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation will award 27 renewable scholarships, with three recipients selected from each of the organization’s nine districts. Each scholarship is valued at $2,500 per year, renewable for up to four years, totaling $10,000 per recipient. Scholarships are applied toward tuition only, and recipients must continue to meet program requirements to renew annually.
County Farm Bureau Scholarships:
Many of Iowa’s 100 county Farm Bureaus offer additional local scholarships. Eligibility and award amounts vary by county, and students are encouraged to contact their local Farm Bureau office for details.
Selection Process
A single online application automatically enters students for all applicable Iowa Farm Bureau scholarships. County Farm Bureaus will review applications and select both their local scholarship recipients and one application to advance for IFBF state-level consideration by March 13. From those nominees, 27 district finalists will be chosen for the renewable State Scholarships. Memorial Scholarship recipients will also be selected from the same applicant pool.
All award announcements will be made by April 24, with renewal and disbursement information provided to recipients.
Students can access the application Here.