Et cetera : Scholarships Available for High School Graduating Seniors

Once again, Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) is partnering with Benton Soil & Water Conservation District (Benton SWCD) to foster the higher education endeavors of Iowa students interested in conservation and agriculture by offering scholarships.

Iowa High School Class of 2026 students pursuing programs of study in any field of conservation or agriculture are eligible for the Conservation Scholarship. While many college majors qualify, preference will be given to students pursuing programs of study in conservation.

The scholarship must be used for the student’s first year of college education.

Information may be found on the CDI website: http://cdiowa.org/conservation-districts-of-iowa/programs/public-education-acknowledgment/scholarships

Applications should be submitted to the office of the Soil & Water Conservation District in which the student resides. Only applications for Benton County residents should be submitted to the Benton SWCD office at 1705 West D Street, Vinton, IA, 52349. Contact information for SWCDs contiguous to Benton County may be found on the CDI website.

The top three scholarships will be awarded at the state level in the amounts of $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000. Winners from the remaining six regions will each receive $500.

Additional scholarships for Benton County residents only will be considered at the local level. The Benton County Soil & Water Conservation District Commissioners will select three scholarships: one for $1000, and two $500 recipients. Applicants must reside in Benton County. An application form for this scholarship is also enclosed. Applications must be returned to the Benton SWCD District office at 1705 W D ST, Vinton, Iowa by 4:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2 to be considered for these awards.

For questions regarding either of these scholarships, please contact the Benton SWCD office in Vinton at 319-472-2161, extension 3.