Bolstered by the encouragement of her advisor, Destiny Barron applied for a National FFA Scholarship as a Mt. Vernon High School senior in 2022.
Barron, who served as the Mt. Vernon FFA vice president during both her junior and senior years, says she “couldn’t believe it” when she discovered that her application helped her become a member of the inaugural class of FFA Future Leaders Scholars. This program was established by the Tractor Supply Foundation in partnership with the National FFA Organization.
“I won a $10,000 scholarship to pursue a four-year degree in an agriculture-related field, and I had the opportunity to complete an internship in Tractor Supply’s marketing department,” says Barron, who’s majoring in agricultural service and development with a minor in agricultural communications at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. “I’m so glad I took the time to fill out that application – it really changed my life.”
Looking to secure your own National FFA Scholarship? The application portal opens Nov. 1, 2024, so read on for Barron’s top tips for creating and submitting a strong application. And don’t forget: FFA members from a senior in high school to a junior in college can apply every year.
1. Don’t wait until the last minute.
The National FFA Scholarship application is long, Barron says, so plan accordingly.
“You probably won’t sit down and finish your application in an hour or two,” she says. “Instead, plan to spend a week or so focusing on completing one section at a time. This isn’t something you want to rush through.”
2. Save your work.
Barron says she learned the hard way that “the save button is your friend.” As a result, she suggests keeping a copy of your application in a separate document.
“I didn’t save properly, so I lost a big portion of my application and had to re-do it,” Barron says. “Lesson learned: Save often and copy and paste everything somewhere else as a backup.”
3. Share your application with mentors and friends.
As you’re working on your application, Barron recommends seeking opinions from your FFA advisor, fellow chapter members and mentors who may be able to provide helpful insight.
“Sometimes you need an outside perspective,” Barron says. “Don’t be afraid to ask people you trust for help.”
Barron (left) applied for an FFA scholarship after receiving encouragement from her advisor, Stephanie Dickson (right). As you prepare your scholarship application, consider asking a teacher or FFA advisor to review it, too.
4. Check your grammar and spelling.
No matter how carefully you type, errors and mistakes can happen, which can tarnish your application.
“Don’t just rely on spell check,” Barron says. “Proofread your application several times before you submit it. If possible, have someone else proofread it, too.”
5. Practice positivity.
It can be intimidating to apply for a National FFA Scholarship, Barron says. Her advice: Don’t count yourself out.
“I never thought I’d win, but I knew I had to try,” she says. “I’m thankful I kept a positive outlook despite my fears and insecurities. You don’t know what could happen when you give it your best shot, so go for it. Don’t let the negative thoughts win.”
