Welcome to our guide to the UMES Land Grant Scholarship program for undergraduate students. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this scholarship, from who can apply to how to apply, among others. Let’s dive in and explore your path to educational support!
UMES Land Grant Scholarship
The UMES Land Grant Scholarship program is closely tied to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s (UMES) School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences. What sets UMES apart from other schools is its eligibility to receive annual federal formula funding, thanks to Public Law 89-106.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences stands out among the various schools at UMES due to its unique funding structure and alignment with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Each year, this program allocates federal formula funding to UMES, provided by the USDA. This financial support is instrumental in shaping the research programs within the School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences.
The significance of this funding goes beyond monetary support. It ties the research agenda and objectives of departments like Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, Human Ecology, and Natural Sciences to those of the USDA and the Experiment Station Section (ESS) of the Association of Public and Land-Grant Colleges (APLU). This alignment ensures that UMES is actively engaged in research areas that are of national importance and directly relevant to agriculture, food, and natural resources.
Furthermore, the USDA offers 1890 Land-Grant institutions like UMES the opportunity to compete for research, extension, and teaching capacity-building grants. These grants bolster the institution’s research, extension, and teaching efforts in the fields of agriculture and food sciences. The overarching goal of the UMES Agricultural Experiment Station is to use the resources provided to enhance knowledge and technology, ultimately contributing to the sustainability and viability of agriculture and food systems, improving natural resource quality and environmental sustainability, and serving the needs of communities, families, and consumers. This unique funding structure positions UMES as a vital player in advancing agricultural and natural sciences.
Purpose
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences (UMES SANS) has established the UMES Land-Grant Scholarship Program with a clear purpose in mind. This initiative aims to offer scholarships that serve multiple objectives: first, to aid in the recruitment of promising undergraduate students; second, to ensure their retention within the program; and third, to facilitate their educational success. The ultimate goal is to boost the number of graduates holding baccalaureate degrees in the realms of food and agricultural sciences, as well as related fields.
In essence, this program acts as a catalyst for encouraging more students to pursue and excel in these critical areas of study. By providing financial support and resources, UMES SANS seeks to create a conducive environment where students can thrive academically and ultimately contribute to the advancement of knowledge and innovation in the food and agricultural sciences. This scholarship initiative not only benefits individual students but also contributes to the broader goal of producing well-educated professionals in fields that are essential for our agricultural and natural resource industries.
Sponsor
The UMES Land-Grant Scholarship Program derives its funding from a significant source—the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), specifically the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). This financial backing is strategically allocated with a clear objective: to motivate and support exceptional students in their pursuit of baccalaureate degrees within the fields of agriculture and related disciplines.
These scholarships serve as an enticing incentive for high-achieving students, encouraging them to embark on educational journeys that culminate in the successful completion of their undergraduate degrees.
Fields of Study Supported By UMES Land-Grant Scholarship
The UMES Land-Grant Scholarship Program provides support for a diverse range of fields of study, offering opportunities to students pursuing various academic paths. These fields encompass Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Human Ecology. Within Agriculture, the program supports areas such as Agribusiness Management, Agriculture Education, Animal & Poultry Science, General Agriculture, Plant & Soil Science, and Pre-Veterinary Medicine.
In the field of Natural Resources, the scholarship extends its assistance to disciplines like Environmental Science. Within Human Ecology, it encompasses Child Development, Dietetics/Nutrition, Family and Consumer Sciences, Family and Consumer Sciences Education, and Fashion Merchandising.
This comprehensive list reflects the program’s commitment to fostering education and expertise across a spectrum of fields related to agriculture, environmental science, and human development.
Amount
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore offers annual scholarships for students attending the university. These scholarships are specifically for use at the university and are subject to renewal each year throughout the scholarship term. Depending on the student’s financial need, these scholarships can provide up to $15,000 per year for in-state students or $25,000 per year for out-of-state students.
However, the renewal of these scholarships is dependent on the student’s academic performance. To continue receiving the scholarship, students must maintain a satisfactory GPA of 2.8 or higher and make consistent academic progress towards their bachelor’s degree. This ensures that the scholarship recipients not only receive financial support but also actively engage in their academic pursuits to further their education at UMES.
Eligibility
For High School Applicants
To be eligible for this scholarship program, high school applicants must meet the following criteria:
- U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
- Admission to UMES: They must have either applied for admission to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) or have already been accepted. If they haven’t applied yet, they need to submit an application to UMES.
- Enrollment Timeline: Applicants should plan to enroll at UMES no later than one year after their acceptance date to the university.
- Majors: Eligible students must be accepted into one of the specified majors, which include General Agriculture, Agribusiness Management, Environmental Science, or Human Ecology.
- Academic Qualifications: They should possess a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate with a minimum unweighted high school GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale.
- Career Intent: Applicants must have a clear intention to pursue a career in the food and agricultural sciences.
- Full-Time Enrollment: To maintain eligibility, students must be enrolled full-time, taking at least 15 course credits each semester, leading to an undergraduate degree in one of the four specified majors.
Meeting these eligibility criteria ensures that high school applicants are well-prepared and committed to pursuing their education in the designated fields of study at UMES and are aligned with the scholarship’s goals and requirements.
For College Applicants (Transfer Students)
For college applicants who are transfer students, the eligibility criteria for this scholarship program are as follows:
- U.S. Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
- Admission to UMES: They must have either applied for admission to the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) or have already been accepted. If they haven’t applied yet, they need to submit an application to UMES.
- Enrollment Timeline: Transfer students should plan to enroll at UMES no later than one year after their acceptance date to the university.
- Majors: Eligible students must be accepted into one of the specified majors, which include General Agriculture, Agribusiness Management, Environmental Science, or Human Ecology.
- Academic Qualifications: They should have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.8 on a 4.0 scale from their previous college or university.
- Career Intent: Applicants must have a clear intention to pursue a career in the food and agricultural sciences.
- Full-Time Enrollment: To maintain eligibility, transfer students must be enrolled full-time, taking at least 15 course credits each semester, leading to an undergraduate degree in one of the four specified majors.
These criteria ensure that transfer students who apply for this scholarship are committed to their education in the designated fields of study at UMES, have a track record of academic achievement, and align with the scholarship’s objectives and requirements.
Application Process
To apply for the UMES Land-Grant Scholarship, applicants should follow a straightforward online application process. This process involves completing an online application form. Additionally, applicants are required to provide supporting documentation, which includes a resume, transcripts, an essay, and letters of recommendation.
These documents are a crucial part of the application and help the scholarship committee assess the applicant’s qualifications, achievements, and potential. It is important to note that these supporting materials should be emailed to the specified email address: umeslandgrantscholarship@umes.edu.