GFAI Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Grain and Feed Association of Illinois

Grain and Feed Association of Illinois (GFAI) advocates for Illinois businesses involved in grain and feed handling. Its membership ranges from multinational grain handlers and shippers to local grain elevators, feed dealers, ethanol plants, equipment manufacturers, and service providers. More information: www.gfai.org.

Who should consider this scholarship
- You’re aiming for a career in agriculture with a focus on the grain handling or feed sectors.
- You want stable employment, competitive pay, and a role in an industry that helps feed the world.
- You’re curious about grain merchandising/originating, facility operations, safety, feed milling, management, or related areas.

Learn more about career paths and the program at: www.gfai.org/scholarship-and-career-information.html.

What recipients receive
- Networking and career-building opportunities: tours, events, and contacts that help expand your resume and professional network.
- A $3,500 scholarship: 40% of the award is distributed during the Summer Kickoff Tour and the remaining balance is paid after completing the program in the spring.
- Hands-on work experience: four days total at a GFAI member facility (two days in the spring and two days in the fall). Participants provide two blog posts describing their experiences. Applicants may propose preferred host sites.
- A 3-day Summer Kickoff Tour (August 3–5, 2026) featuring facility site visits across Illinois, educational sessions, and social activities.
- Hotel lodging and registration for GFAI’s Annual Convention & Trade Show. All scholarship recipients will be honored during the general session on February 15, 2027 in Peoria, IL.

Program commitments and requirements
- Attend the Summer Kickoff Tour on August 3–5, 2026.
- Complete four days of work at a member facility (two days in spring, two days in fall).
- Write and submit two blog posts documenting your program experiences.
- Participate in any additional reporting or wrap-up activities required to receive the final portion of the scholarship.

Eligibility
- Permanent Illinois residence.
- Enrolled full-time as a freshman, sophomore, or junior at an accredited college or university. High school seniors with at least 24 completed college credits are also eligible to apply.
- Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in the grain handling or feed industries.
- Submit an academic transcript and three professional letters of recommendation (from a school adviser, faculty member, employer, etc.).

Previous winners and the Renewable Scholarship
- Each applicant may receive the GFAI Scholarship only once.
- Students who already received the GFAI Scholarship but are currently sophomores or juniors may qualify for a $1,000 Renewable Scholarship. Renewable scholarship recipients must complete one of the following: interview a facility manager, produce a 30–60 second video, or job shadow two days at a member facility and write blog posts about the experience.

If you meet the above criteria and are interested in applying, visit www.gfai.org for full application details and deadlines.