Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Missouri's Cattlemen Foundation

Overview
Since 1997, Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation (MCF) has awarded more than 815 scholarships totaling $801,500. The program is open to graduating high school seniors and current full‑time college students. Scholarships are announced and presented at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show in January.

Important dates
- Application deadline: Monday, October 13, 2025
- Applicants notified by mail on or before November 30, 2025
- Scholarship recipients honored at the Missouri Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show, January 21–23, 2026 (Osage Beach, MO)
- Scholarships payable during calendar year 2026 (proof of college enrollment required)

Who is eligible
To be considered, applicants must meet all of the following:
- Be a Missouri resident.
- Be a current paid member of the Missouri Junior Cattlemen’s Association, or have a parent/legal guardian who is a current paid member of the Missouri Cattlemen’s Association.
- Be a high school senior or a full‑time college student with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. (Applicant must have been a full‑time student the previous year.)
- Not have previously received a full Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation scholarship of $1,000 or more.
- Be under the age limit stated in the application. (Note: the original guideline references “not have reached their 23rd birthday by January 1, 2023.” That appears to be an outdated date; please confirm the correct cutoff date with MCF before submitting.)

Preferred fields of study
Emphasis will be given to students pursuing degrees in:
- Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Journalism, Agricultural Systems Management, Animal Science, General Agriculture, Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, and Plant Science.

Application materials (what to submit)
- Completed online application (by the October 13, 2025 deadline).
- Three letters of recommendation uploaded online — one must come from a current Missouri Cattlemen’s Association member.
- The most recent high school or college transcript (to verify GPA and enrollment).
- Any additional materials requested on the application (follow instructions carefully).

Selection criteria and process
- Applicants will be evaluated on academic record, leadership potential (extracurriculars and work experience), and demonstrated financial need (preference may be given to students who plan to attend Missouri colleges/universities and to those who need financial assistance).
- After review, the MCF Scholarship Committee will select the top five applicants for in‑person interviews held during the January convention. The interview panel will name one overall recipient (additional $2,000) and one reserve recipient (additional $1,000).
- All applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision by mail on or before November 30, 2025.

Award amounts and payment
- Unless otherwise noted, standard MCF scholarships are $1,000.
- Interviewed finalists may receive additional amounts as noted above.
- Scholarships are payable in 2026. Recipients must provide proof of enrollment to redeem awards. Funds are sent directly to the recipient’s institution. Any unused funds must be returned to MCF.

Other notes
- All scholarship donor agreements submitted to MCF must align with the foundation’s mission and policy. The MCF board may grant exceptions to these guidelines.

Essay topic
- Write an essay answering: “Why should you receive the Missouri’s Cattlemen Foundation Scholarship?”

If you plan to apply, start early: gather your transcript and recommendation writers now, draft your essay, and double‑check the age cutoff date with MCF to avoid any surprises. Good luck — thoughtful, clear applications stand out.