DuPage County Farm Bureau Foundation

Since 1990, around 150 students have been awarded scholarships from the DuPage County Farm Bureau Foundation. This year, up to seventeen scholarships will be awarded to qualified students entering or currently enrolled in a college, university, community college, or technical school in the Fall of 2025.

If you have any questions, please contact the DuPage County Farm Bureau office at 630-668-8161 or info@dcfb.org

Important Information to know
–Applications must be postmarked by the deadline date. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

–All Scholarship checks will be issued directly to the school.

–You will be contacted via email, please provide an updated email address.

–If for any reason the student withdraws or drops out of school, the monies awarded from the Foundation will be payable back to the Foundation.

–If you are selected to receive a scholarship, we will need the following information:
1. A recent photo, preferably your senior photo. It will be used to announce that you are a scholarship recipient in the Farm Bureau publication, the DuPage Farmer. We will also honor you at our Annual Membership Appreciation Dinner.

2. A letter from the registrar at your chosen college or university indicating that you have enrolled as a student for the Fall 2023 term. Acceptance letters are not sufficient.

3. A copy of your student I.D., or class schedule with the Student ID number listed.

4. The appropriate mailing address to which the scholarship funds can be sent. Checks will be issued directly to the school.

All Scholarships will become available January 1, 2025

Arnold Oestmann Scholarship, $1,500

• Up to five scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors who will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree. There are no restrictions on the college course of study. This scholarship was created in memory of Arnold Oestmann of Westmont, IL. Mr. Oestmann was a past president of the DuPage County Farm Bureau.

• Scholarship Deadline – April 1, 2025

Culinary and Nutrition Scholarship, $2,000

• Up to two scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors or college freshman, sophomore, or junior in a culinary or nutrition-related program. Food begins on a farm, and those working in related industries can study food and the importance and impact it has in our daily lives.

• Scholarship Deadline – May 1, 2025

General Scholarship Fund, $2,500

• Up to five scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors who will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree related to the agriculture industry. Agriculture involves a wide range of careers. Qualified programs may include, but are not limited to, horticulture, agronomy, engineering, veterinary, communications, environmental science, food science, biology, etc. Applicants must explain how their chosen career path will impact the agriculture industry.

• Scholarship Deadline – May 1, 2025

Ken F. Ebersold Scholarship, $3,000

• Up to three scholarships will be awarded to college freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors, or those pursuing a master’s degree. Students must be actively and successfully pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in an agricultural related course of study. This scholarship was created in memory of Ken F. Ebersold of Downers Grove, IL. Mr. Ebersold was a past president of the DuPage County Farm Bureau and an active volunteer for many years. Past recipients of this scholarship may apply during each year of their college career.

• Scholarship Deadline – May 1, 2025

Trade Scholarship, $2,000

• Up to two trade scholarships will be awarded to high school seniors enrolled in a Trade and Technical career program. Areas may include, but are not limited to, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, truck driving, etc.

• Application deadline is May 1, 2025

John Buck Memorial Scholarships (Kane County Farm Burau offering)

• Two $1,500 scholarships are available for students from Kane, DeKalb, McHenry, Boone, DuPage, Lake or Will County pursuing a degree in an agriculture field with preference given to students with agricultural mechanics and turf management career ambitions.
• For more information or to receive an application on the John Buck Memorial Scholarship contact the Kane County Farm Bureau:
  P: 630-584-8660
  E: info@kanecfb.com
  W: https://kanecfb.com/scholarships

Scholarship Application Tips
Gather everything you need to complete the application before you start. Doing so will help you stay on track.
Official transcripts must come from the school registrar and can be submitted in two ways:
1. Transcripts must come directly from the school, in a sealed envelope enclosed with your application or mailed separately to the DCFB office.
2. The registrar of the school can email your transcripts to info@dcfb.org.
Do not use acronyms such as JROTC. Spell out the names of organizations. The acronym you use might not be familiar to people reviewing your application.
Ask people you know well to write letters of recommendation. A school advisor/counselor, pastor, club advisor, teacher, coach/instructor or manager/supervisor are all great choices.
Give people writing letters of recommendation plenty of time to write and submit the letter before the application deadline.
Do not leave any sections incomplete, if you submit an incomplete application, it will not be considered.
If you need more space to write than the application provides, you can submit attachments. Adding additional information can be beneficial. For example, you can submit a resume, portfolio, list of accomplishments, letters of recommendation etc.
Remember, many students are applying for the same scholarship, presentation can help you stand out. Typing on your application is clear and legible. If you are writing on your application, avoid using a pencil, instead use a pen and print clear and neat.
Avoid:
-stapling your application
-folding your application
-having food or drink stains
Reading the instructions before you start, meeting deadlines ahead of time and following these tips will help you successfully submit your scholarship applications.