By Blake Jackson
Applications are now being accepted for the annual Student Leader Scholarship program, which supports students planning careers in the dairy industry. The program offers twelve scholarships worth $3,000 each for the 2026-27 academic year.
The scholarships are made possible through a partnership between the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association and the Dairy Excellence Foundation. Applications opened on March 1 and must be submitted online by May 1.
The scholarship program aims to recognize and support students who demonstrate dedication to the future of the dairy sector. Undergraduate college students as well as high school seniors preparing to enter college this fall are eligible to apply. Among the twelve scholarships available, one is specifically reserved for an incoming freshman.
“We have so many students across Pennsylvania who are passionate and invested in the future of dairy, so we look forward to this scholarship program every year. The program allows us to support students’ educational interests, while making the financial aspect of pursuing higher education a bit more manageable for them,” said Michelle Shearer, Workforce Development Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence.
“If you know a student who is pursuing a future career in dairy, please encourage them to consider applying for the scholarship this spring.”
Recipients are selected based on several factors, including academic achievement, interest in pursuing a dairy-related career, leadership experience, character, integrity, and proper completion of the application.
Eligible applicants must be Pennsylvania residents who are full-time undergraduate students or high school seniors planning to enroll in approved fields of study. These include dairy or animal science, agricultural marketing and business, nutrition, food science, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, agriculture and extension education, and related disciplines.
Students may receive the $3,000 scholarship twice during their undergraduate studies. However, individuals currently employed by the Center for Dairy Excellence are not eligible while working there.
Interested students can apply online or learn more about the opportunity through the Center for Dairy Excellence scholarship webpage. For additional information, applicants may contact Michelle Shearer at 570-768-8316 or mshearer@centerfordairyexcellence.org.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-baranozdemir
Categories: Pennsylvania, Education, Livestock, Dairy Cattle