Illinois and other Midwestern students will have help paying for college tuition during the 2017-2018 school year courtesy of scholarships awarded by the IAA Foundation.

Today, the IAA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau, awarded $126,400 to 70 students pursuing degrees in agriculture-related fields, based on their academic ability, leadership involvement, professional career goals and financial need.

“We are pleased to invest in these bright young minds and are confident they represent a strong future for agriculture here in Illinois,†said Susan Moore, director, IAA Foundation.

IAA Foundation Top Scholars Abigayle Endress of Pearl City, Sidney Miller of Gilman, and Krista Russell of Jerseyville, each will receive a $5,000 award. Christy Allen of Arthur was named the Illinois Farm Bureau Legacy of Leadership scholarship recipient and will receive a $7,500 scholarship. Other scholarships awarded range in value from $1,000 to $4,000. A full listing of recipients can be found at www.iaafoundation.org.

Annually, the Illinois Farm Bureau and county Farm Bureaus award close to $800,000 in scholarship support. The IAA Foundation has awarded more than 1,000 scholarships since 1989.

“We seek to expand our scholarship program each year in order to support more students as they pursue careers in agriculture,†Moore said. “Through the help of generous gifts from farm families, commodity groups, agribusiness, Illinois Farm Bureau members, and others who support our industry, we’ve been able to do just that.â€

For more information on the IAA Foundation scholarship program, learn how to establish a scholarship, or to donate to the general scholarship fund, visit the IAA Foundation’s website at www.iaafoundation.org or call 309-557-2230.

Applications for the 2018-2019 school year will be available December 1.  Specific details and eligibility requirements may be found at the IAA Foundation’s website on December 1.