At the National Wild Turkey Federation, there are more benefits going out to youth than just the pride of conserving the American wild turkey. Scholarship money is also available.

Students can now compete at the local level for college scholarships sponsored by the NWTF. But it doesn't stop there.

All students receiving local scholarships for $250 will have the opportunity to compete for a state/provincial chapter funded $1,000 state/provincial scholarship. State/provincial chapter winners will compete for a $10,000 national scholarship. Eligibility information for recipients and deadlines for each phase of the process are included with the scholarship application packets. Information packets will be sent to interested chapters each year.

These scholarships are set up to ensure the NWTF has the dedicated conservationists needed for the future and is a part of the NWTF's Five-Star program. Applicants for the scholarship must be members of the NWTF and are judged on their scholastic achievements, leadership abilities, community involvement and commitment to conservation.

"Supporting our children's education through this scholarship program is just one way the NWTF can ensure we have the dedicated conservationists needed for the future," said the NWTF's CEO Rob Keck.

The deadline for application is January 1^st. For more information on the scholarship program, contact JAKES Program Manager Mandy Harling at the Wild Turkey Center by calling 1-800-THE-NWTF or e-mail her at mharling@nwtf.net.

Students: Next year's application form will be available in August.

Schools: To find out if a student qualifies for an NWTF scholarship, click here.

To read about the NWTF's 2007 national scholarship winner, click here.

To read the 2007 national scholarship winner's essay, click here.

The NWTF also partners with Future Farmers of America to provide scholarships: The NWTF provides a $5,000 scholarship to a student pursuing a wildlife management or agriculture degree. The scholarship fund is administered through the National Future Farmers of America Foundation. For more information, see your FFA advisor.

NWTF scholarship winners are making a positive impact in conservation and society, from education to disease control. These young leaders are the pillars of the future of conservation, and the NWTF recognizes the need to encourage their education to further hunting heritage. Click here to read more.