Finding scholarships isn’t easy, especially if the scholarships are for specific areas of interest. There’s very little incentive to actually advertise free money. So not much marketing generally goes into scholarships unless they are being used for marketing. That’s where we come in.
We’ve got 10 of the best animal science scholarships featured in this article. We feature everything from full-ride national scholarships offered by the USDA and other national organizations. These go all the way down to smaller state and regional scholarships that are a prime example of the kinds of scholarships you will find all around the country. The goal of this article is twofold:
- to shine the spotlight on some truly great animal science scholarships in the article itself.
- to help you tackle your application planning and your scholarship search by answering some frequently asked questions in the FAQ section at the end of the article.
1. USDA 1890 National Scholars Program
The USDA 1890 National Scholars program is available to students enrolled at 19 colleges and universities around the country. The specific colleges and universities are listed in the link above. Students will receive a full-ride scholarship that includes:
- full tuition
- employment
- employee benefits
- fees
- books,
- room and board
This is for each year for up to four years. In exchange, students agree to work one year for the USDA for each year they receive this support. Additionally, at the end of the student’s required term of service, they may be considered for a permanent job with the USDA.
Scholarship Amount: Full-ride
Scholarship Deadline: January 31st
2. Harry Hampton Fund Scholarship
To qualify for this scholarship, a student must be:
- a full-time resident of South Carolina
- a senior in a public or private high school in South Carolina
- enrolling in a college or university in the state of South Carolina
The scholarship is for students who are majoring in an area directly related to natural resources disciplines. They must be planning to use their degree in that field. The scholarship recurs annually, so the total is $20,000 over four years.
There is also the Wallace F. Pate scholarship, which has the same criteria and offers a one-time $2,500 scholarship.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000/yr
Scholarship Deadline: January 31
3. 4-H Youth in Action Scholarship
The 4-H Youth in Action scholarship is awarded to four students of diverse backgrounds who offer unique perspectives in:
- agriculture
- civic engagement
- healthy living
- STEM
The scholarship is open to members of the 4-H organization. In addition to the scholarship, winners receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington D.C. for themselves and a guardian. Here, they will have the opportunity to network with prominent 4-H alumni.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Scholarship Deadline: Contact Organization
4. Angus Foundation Scholarships
The Angus Foundation offers two scholarships that give preference to students majoring in animal science. These are:
- the Angus/Talon Youth Educational Learning Program Undergraduate Scholarship
- the Vance Uden Memorial Angus Scholarship
Any animal science major will receive preference. However, the Angus foundation has a special place for students who wish to work with large bovine animals, particularly the Angus breed. The deadline for scholarship application varies, so make sure you contact the organizations that offer the scholarships you’re interested in.
Scholarship Amount: $2,500-$5,000
Scholarship Deadline: Varies
5. Florence Smith Powers Memorial Scholarship
The Florence Smith Powers Memorial Scholarship is one of many scholarships administered by the North American Meat Institute. The scholarship is available to students majoring in:
- animal science
- meat science
- or food science
Students must be undergraduate:
- sophomores
- juniors
- or seniors
They must be attending a four-year college or university with an animal, meat, or food science department. While the scholarships are not renewed annually, students can submit an application for the scholarship each year.
Additionally, exemplary applicants may qualify for an additional $10,000 scholarship from the North American Meat Institute.
Scholarship Amount: $5,000
Scholarship Deadline: June 1st
6. The Donald Handeland Scholarship
This scholarship is for Alaska residents majoring in engineering or science. Students must be enrolling in a four-year accredited college or university as a full-time student. There is no cap on how many students will be awarded the scholarship each year. The number relies on the quality of submissions. So, as long as your submission is strong enough, you have a great chance to receive this scholarship.
Scholarship Amount: $3,000
Scholarship Deadline: March 31st
7. Animal Welfare Institute
Are you an animal science major who is also highly concerned for the well-being of animals on the farm or in the lab? If so, this is a good scholarship for you. The goal of the scholarship is to invest in students who will go on to become animal welfare leaders in the future. The AWI offers a total of 12 scholarships. Application season begins December 1st and ends February 16th.
Scholarship Amount: $2,000
Scholarship Deadline: Feb. 16
8. National Cattlemen’s Foundation CME Beef Industry Scholarship
The CME Beef Industry Scholarship awards 10 undergraduate scholarships to students who are studying:
- education
- communications
- production
- research
- or any other area related to the beef industry
Applicants must:
- be a graduating high school senior or full-time undergraduate
- have demonstrated a commitment to a career in the beef industry through classes, internships, or life experiences
- write a letter of intent expressing future career goals
- write an original essay
- provide two letters of recommendation
For more detailed information, check out the scholarship website. The application period starts in October, but you’ll need to contact the organization for a deadline.
Scholarship Amount: $1,500
Scholarship Deadline: Contact Organization
9. The Celesta Simas Memorial Scholarship
The Celesta Simas Memorial Scholarship awards one scholarship to an animal science or veterinary medicine student. It is only available to students of:
- Elk Grove High
- Pleasant Grove High
- and Sheldon High
It’s administered by the Elk Grove Regional Scholarship Foundation. What is relevant is that there are local and regional scholarship foundations and community organizations offering scholarships to local students all over the country. So make sure you check out the resources available to you in your local area.
Scholarship Amount: $1,000
Scholarship Deadline: Contact Organization
10. USDA Pathways Internships
These internships are available to high-school students 16 and older, as well as to college students. These are paid internships, though the amount paid varies. Some can pay out up to $10,000, which can take a significant chunk out of a school-year’s bill. It’s not your typical scholarship, but it functions similarly and gives you a great chance to gain on-the-job experience related to your field of study.
Scholarship Amount: Varies
Scholarship Deadline: Application Periods Vary
Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of jobs can I do with an animal science degree?
Animal scientists do a variety of jobs, which are often, but not always, related to farming. They work:
- on farms
- at feed companies
- as breeders
- at food processing plants
- for pharmaceutical companies
They also may work in academia, as wildlife biologists, or as agricultural and food scientists. Some go on to earn their doctorate in veterinary medicine and become veterinarians. The sheer variety of jobs available to animal scientists means that earning potential is all over the place.
The median salary range is between $30,000 and $100,000, depending on the level of education and what job the animal scientist is working specifically. This is all good news! It means there is a lot of flexibility in the degree, and you can experiment with many different careers to find the niche that works for you! Changing careers and going back to school for more credentials and qualifications is also very possible. A flexible career path with lots of options is a great thing, as it allows you to evolve as your interests and the market do.
Applying for scholarships is overwhelming. How do I keep track of all this?
Well, if you don’t already have a favorite organizational app/planner, it’s time to find one. Of course, the calendar feature that comes with your phone might be perfect for tracking all the information. Remember to start working on your applications before the actual submission period begins. Get together everything you need beforehand. This includes:
- transcripts
- essays
- letters of recommendation
It’s best if you submit the application as early as possible in the application period. This shows that you are organized and on the ball. Most applications tend to be submitted later in the season. Submitting early gives the people granting the scholarship more time to review and evaluate your application. They may even decide to award you the scholarship before the other applications come in!
Some of the scholarships you featured here are specific to certain states or regions. Why include them?
These scholarships were included as examples of a certain kind of scholarship that can be found across the country. There are hundreds, maybe thousands of small community organizations that provide scholarships for local students throughout the country. Chances are, there are at least a couple in your town or county. The best way to find these is to talk to your school’s guidance counselor. They should be familiar with these local scholarships. You can also familiarize yourself with local community organizations. If you are religious, check in with your place of worship to see if they offer any scholarships. Scholarships with regional restrictions are often easier to get because they have fewer applicants than more publicized national scholarships do. And they can sometimes award just as much!
Most of these scholarships don’t seem to cover the full cost of education. Why should I apply for them?
The scholarships we feature here are third-party scholarships. They are scholarships not tied to a specific college or university, or to the federal government’s financial aid program. Most of your financial aid will come from your college or the government.
However, there are often gaps between the financial aid you are awarded and the actual cost of your degree. These gaps are most often filled by private student loans. Third-party scholarships can help reduce the amount of debt you graduate with, as they help bridge that financial-aid gap. For the amount of money most of these scholarships offer, the time you need to invest in applying for them is relatively low.
If you spend a total of 100 hours applying for scholarships, and manage to score even one $5,000 scholarship, that’s a $50/hr return on your time invested. This is way better than any job you can get in high school. And don’t forget, there’s always a chance you can score a full-ride scholarship like the USDA scholarship we featured in our ranking of the top 10 animal science scholarships.
GCD Staff
November 2021
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