Conservation Scholarship Program offers career assistance

LITTLE ROCK - Considering a career in conservation? The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Conservation Scholarship Program is one way to help students achieve their educational goals.

Many fields of study can lead to a career in conservation. Education in law enforcement, fisheries management, wildlife management, public relations, environmental education and interpretation and many other fields are always a benefit to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

The Conservation Scholarship Program uses funds from the sale of conservation license plates to let students reach their potential and create tomorrow’s conservation professionals. Applicants must be Arkansas high school seniors or Arkansas college undergraduates pursuing a career in the field of natural resources conservation with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 the first year. A 3.0 GPA will be required thereafter, beginning with the 2009 fall semester renewals. Only resident students paying instate tuition are eligible for the scholarships.

Applicants must not have received a full scholarship or grant from another source. Only resident students paying in-state tuition may apply. Selections are based purely on merit, without discrimination to race, sex, religion, age, color or national origin. Minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The scholarship grants $2,000 per calendar year for freshmen and sophomores, and $3,000 for juniors, seniors and graduate students. Juniors must have 60 cumulative credit hours to receive a $3,000 scholarship. Applicants must submit a renewal application each semester along with current official transcript to continue funding each year. Students are eligible for up to four years of scholarship funding. Scholarship funds are restricted to tuition, books, fees and lodging. Scholarships are paid directly to the college or university.

How are scholarship recipients chosen?
The selection committee is made up of persons not employed by the AGFC. They make selections based on a standardized scoring system approved by the AGFC.

When is my application due?
Completed applications must be postmarked by June 10, 2008, for the fall semester. Successful applicants will be notified by July 15, 2008. Application forms and instructions may be downloaded at: http://www.agfc.com/education-class/programs/conservation-scholarship-program.aspx .