Head of the Class: A Chat with Christine Rolka, NWTF's Education Director

Q: How does NWTF rank among peers when compared with providing educational scholarships?
— Billy Moore, La Plata, Md.
A: As a whole, the NWTF takes pride in providing opportunities for youth to learn about conservation and the outdoors. We've shown our commitment to educating the next generation of conservationists by awarding more than $3.1 million in academic scholarships since 1999. Making academic scholarships available to youth sets us apart from many conservation organizations, and the amount we've invested in youth programs and academic scholarships also sets us apart.

Q: I am currently a college junior studying biology. Am I still allowed to apply for an NWTF scholarship? What are the criteria for the award? My parents have been NWTF members and supporters for years. I never knew about the scholarship before today!
— Morgan Foster, Sanford, Fla.
A: The NWTF Academic Scholarship Program is geared toward graduating high school seniors. Some states also award additional scholarships to college students pursuing degrees in natural-resource-related areas. You'll need to check with your NWTF local or state chapter to see if this is the case in your state. For more information about NWTF Academic Scholarship Program criteria click here.

Q: Have you seen any increase in the understanding of wildlife habitat importance to turkeys and all wildlife by scholarship applicants over the past several years?
— Robert Chapman, Lampasas, Texas
A: The state level candidates we have seen apply for our national scholarship all exhibit an understanding and appreciation for wildlife conservation and our hunting heritage based on their own family hunting traditions, experience in the woods and experience leading or participating in conservation projects at their schools, through Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts or in their local communities. Many also have participated in Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H programs, where they have developed an understanding of wildlife conservation principles as well.

Q: Does the NWTF follow up with past scholarship winners to assess the long-term value that these scholarship winners have provided back to the NWTF or to wildlife and hunting heritage in general?
— Marc Augsburger, Saginaw, Mich.
A: We conducted a follow-up in 2003 when most of our national scholarship winners were beginning or in the midst of their college careers. At the time, all were well underway towards achieving their career goals and already had made a difference through their college experiences. Click here for more information about these national winners.

Sadly, our second national winner, Jonathan May, passed away earlier this year. He accrued an impressive list of accomplishments in his short lifetime. Click here to read more about the life of this amazing young man.

We are planning another "where are they now" quest in the very near future, so stay tuned.

Q: What is the total amount of scholarships the NWTF gives every year?
— Doug Sharp, Jesup, Ga.
A: The Federation has the potential to award $500,000 in academic scholarships each year with 100 percent chapter participation. In 2008, the federation awarded $370,095 dollars through 1,196 scholarships!

Q: When is the cut-off date for submission and how long does the essay have to be?
— Linda Offhaus, Colden, N.Y.
A: Scholarship applications must be postmarked or submitted to the applicants' local NWTF chapter by January 1. While there is no word limit on the essay, it must include why hunting is important to the applicant and his/her family and why the applicant would be a good investment if awarded the scholarship. The essay also must include background and experiences demonstrating the applicant's dedication to conservation and the preservation of our hunting heritage. For more information about NWTF Academic Scholarship Program criteria click here.

Q: What is the most unique subject that has been associated with a winning essay?
— Rebecca Bartlett, Fayetteville, Tenn.
A: All winning essays have a similar theme: Why hunting is important to the applicant and his/her family. To read about a recent winner and excerpts from her essay, click here.

Q: Can you tell me how the NWTF scholarship for FFA students is applied for? I know how we award the local scholarships and how to apply for the state and national scholarships, but I have not found any information on the FFA scholarship for agriculture students.
— Bob Williamson, Sheridan, Ark.
A:The Federation provides funding for a $5,000 FFA scholarship for students who are FFA members, hunters and are pursuing degrees in a natural resource related field. This and other FFA scholarships are administered through FFA. Students interested in applying for these scholarships should speak with their school's FFA advisor. These advisors are provided with a catalog of scholarships available to FFA students each year.

Q: I am chairman on a committee that will be participating in the scholarship program this year. We are located in Louisiana right on the Louisiana/Mississippi line. Some of our kids go to school in Mississippi and some Mississippi kids come to Louisiana to school. We want a student from our parish to receive the scholarship because that is where our chapter is located and holds its fundraising banquet. What is the best way to handle this is? We are taking the applications only to our parish schools.
— Lisa Smith, Ferriday, La.
A: You may want to stipulate that your chapter scholarship requires that applicants be Louisiana residents and re-direct Mississippi residents to apply for an NWTF scholarship through their local Mississippi chapter. You also can direct Mississippi applicants to our Web site for contact information for Mississippi scholarships if they are not familiar with their local chapter.

Q: Why is the scholarship program run in the fall when most scholarships are presented in the spring just around graduation? Most students and schools are just now identifying their senior classes and next steps. I'm speaking also of the individual chapters submitting their choices from their membership.
— Bob Wrage, Davenport, Iowa
A: The process begins in the fall so chapters have time to get the word out to schools about the program and work through the local, state and national level steps and associated procedures.

Initial applications for scholarships are due to the applicant's local NWTF chapter Jan. 1. Local winners are due to the state chapter for state winner consideration Feb. 1. State winners are then due to the national headquarters for national scholarship consideration March 1. National scholarship candidates are typically selected by April 1 and announced at the winner's graduation award ceremony when all other scholarships and associated awards are announced at most high schools. Local and state NWTF scholarships also may be announced at high school graduation award ceremonies if chapters request and arrange this with the school awards ceremony coordinator.

Q: How much are your scholarships?
— Shirley Arnold, Hallsville, Texas
A: NWTF Academic Scholarship amounts vary depending upon the chapter and the state. Most chapters award a minimum $250 local scholarship and a $1,000 state scholarship. The national scholarship award is $10,000.

Q: Are NWTF scholarships for JAKES members only? What grade level should a person be in to apply for the scholarship?
— Leah Brown, Barnsdall, Okla.
A: Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors. Any graduating high school senior that applies for an NWTF scholarship must be an NWTF member and must include a copy of their current NWTF membership card with their application. If an applicant isn't a member, they can visit our Web site or call (800) THE-NWTF to join. For more information about NWTF Academic Scholarship Program criteria click here.

Q: When do you apply for the scholarship? My daughter is an Xtreme JAKES and Women in the Outdoors member and a sophomore in high school. I am assuming you can only win one time.
— Lori Park, Leo, Ind.
A: Students must be graduating high school seniors in order to apply for an NWTF Academic Scholarship. Applications are due to the applicant's local NWTF chapter by Jan. 1. For more information about NWTF Academic Scholarship Program criteria click here.

Q: Can chapters get a written guide as to how and when to apply for scholarship money and how to submit names for the national scholarship?
— Donna Todd, Paris, Ontario
President, NWTF Boss Gobblers of Brant/Oxford Ontario Chapter
A: Absolutely! As a matter of fact, we have an instruction sheet and resources just for chapters that can be accessed by clicking here.

If you have trouble downloading the forms or do not have Internet access we can print and mail this information to you upon request.

Q: What is the NWTF doing about marketing the scholarships better? Why doesn't the NWTF host some type of conference to help guidance counselors understand more about the scholarships? How would you suggest that as volunteers, community members can help promote the scholarship? I look forward to your responses.
— Patrick Crouse, Big Lake, Minn.
President, NWTF Sand Dunes Gobblers Chapter
A: Great question! We promote our scholarships and our other educational programs and resources at every national, regional and state level education conference where we present or exhibit.

Chapters promote it best in their local communities through their banquets, by working with the schools and sending winner photos and press releases to their local papers. In the past couple of years we have promoted this program heavily with agricultural education and FFA national and state directors.

I recommend chapters share this program with the local school FFA advisor as well as the guidance counselor. FFA classes are usually natural resource based and many of these advisors and students have strong connections to the land and are hunters. You also may want to share details about this program with your local 4-H Shooting Sports Club for the same reasons.

Q: Why do young people not apply for the scholarships? I have heard other chapters complaining about this in state chapter meetings also. We hand-deliver applications to six area schools! In the past five years we have had only two students apply per year, if that many.

When we pick a winner, we go to the school, and make a big deal out of the winner at our banquet, and present them with the big check and everything. We want more young people to select from. Thanks for your help.
— Cindy Davis, McConnells, S.C.
President, NWTF Rock Hill Chapter
A: I think in some cases the information may not make its way to the students. Also, FFA advisors, who are typically quite receptive to information about NWTF scholarships, may not be aware of the program.

In other cases, some students may view a $250 scholarship as not as worthy of the time and effort required for the application process since some competing scholarships offer a higher cash award.

Some local chapters have countered these issues by sharing program information with guidance counselors, FFA advisors, 4-H clubs and parents at their banquets. Some also have conducted scholarship fundraisers or solicited cooperator dollars to increase the local award from $250 to $500 or $1,000 - or more! Larger awards tend to get a little more attention from the students, schools and newspapers than the smaller awards.

Q: Is the scholarship a cash prize awarded to the winning individual or is it held in a trust, payable to a college or university?
— Jennifer Frazure, Lumberton, Miss.
A: The scholarship dollars are awarded to the winning individual. This policy prevents confusion associated with accessing the funding through the college as well as potential interference with other scholarship and financial aid requirements.

Q: Can you apply and receive a scholarship yearly or is it available only one time?
— Lisa James, Keota, Okla.
A: You can apply for an NWTF academic scholarship once as a graduating high school senior. Applications are due to the applicant's local chapter by January 1. For more information about NWTF Academic Scholarship Program criteria click here.

Q: What state has awarded the most scholarships and what do you feel is the reason why?
Tom Foster, Rena Lara, Miss.
A: Kentucky leads the way in most scholarship dollars awarded to date. There are many other chapters that are also topping the charts in this category and some smaller state chapters who enjoy 100 percent local chapter participation in the program! Many factors depend upon the states that contribute to a successful scholarship program. Many states make the program a priority and have a scholarship coordinator to manage the program and help assure its success.

Other factors that seem to contribute to a successful program include having a high percentage of local chapters participate in the program, awarding multiple local and/or state scholarships, offering higher cash awards per scholarship, identifying cooperator dollars to build a bigger award and program, successfully promoting the program through relationships established with schools, FFA advisors and 4-H clubs, and maximizing local public relations opportunities such as school award presentations and local press. To download a customizable press release you can send to local media announcing a scholarship award, click here.

Q: What are the basic qualifications you're looking for in a young individual when looking for scholarship recipients?
— Dan Nuckolls, Chattanooga, Tenn.
A: Applicants must be hunters and graduating high school seniors who exhibit academic excellence, leadership skills and demonstrated commitment to conservation. For more information about NWTF Academic Scholarship Program criteria click here.

Q: Are scholarships only offered through the local chapters? For example: If I belong to the Piedmont Chapter, am I only allowed to receive a scholarship from this chapter? If not, how do I get one from the national organization?
— Patricia Todd, Piedmont, Mo.
A: NWTF Academic Scholarships must be applied for through the applicant's local NWTF chapter. If your local chapter does not offer a local scholarship, contact your state chapter or regional director to see how you can apply for a local scholarship in your state. Contact information can be found by visiting our Web site and clicking on your state name on the "NWTF In Your State" drop-down menu.

Q: First, as a scholarship recipient four years ago, thank you. I have just recently graduated with a bachelor of sciences degree in biology and environmental science and want to continue my education focusing on conservation. Do any of the scholarship programs support graduate research programs?
— Luke Hawk, Blountville, Tenn.
A: Congratulations on earning an NWTF scholarship and your degree! The NWTF Academic Scholarship Program awards only to graduating high school seniors. However, there are some states and chapters that provide additional scholarship awards to graduate students and others. You'll need to check with your local and/or state chapter to see if opportunities like these exist in your state.

Q: Are residents from outside the United States eligible for scholarships?
— Edward Fields, South Mountain, Wyo.
A: NWTF Academic Scholarships are only awarded in states and provinces where NWTF chapters are located. At present, this includes the United States and Canada.

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