While cities are certainly great, they’re not the only places that should get the spotlight or a shout out. Just because you don’t live on either of the coasts or in a town with a big skyline, doesn’t mean you don’t live in great rural areas. Many rural areas scholarships dedicate themselves to helping students living in the lesser-populated areas of America get to college. Read on below to see a highlighted few!
Foundation for Rural Services Scholarship
Amount: $1,500-$7,000
Deadline: March 6, 2020
As the name suggests, the organizations offering the scholarship targets students who grew up in a rural community and plan on returning to one after graduation. If you’re going to college in the city, you can still apply for these great opportunities. The scholarship awards four $5,000 awards to students who will be majoring in a STEM or medical field. There are also two $1,500 scholarships available, and one $7,000.
To be eligible a student must meet a few requirements. They must be a graduating high school senior, be a US citizen, have a minimum of a C grade point average, be accepted into a two or four-year college/university/vocational school, and have an NTCA-Rural Broadband sponsor.
Hagan Scholarship Foundation
Amount: $5,000
Deadline: November 15, 2020 (Opens September 1, 2020)
Aiming to help pay the unmet financial need of students, the Hagan Scholarship Foundation (HSF) offers up to $5,000 of aid per semester. Students can also earn $500 for books and supplies. Additionally, there is an $8,000 study abroad scholarship if their sophomore year GPA is at least 3.5!
In order to apply, a student has to: come from a town with a population of 50,000 or fewer, be a US citizen and a resident of one of their 20 eligible states. Additionally, students need a GPA of 3.5 or higher, score a 23 or higher on the ACT / 1,200 or higher on the SAT. They also need to complete the FAFSA and work 240 hours prior to their freshmen year.
America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders Scholarship
Amount: $1,500
Deadline: TBD for 2021 (Information will be posted November 2020)
Farmers play an integral and proud role in America. It’s only fitting that the future agricultural leaders are helped towards their college education. This organization aims to do just that.
There are a few eligibility requirements to meet. Students need to be endorsed by three farmers, living in one of the 40 approved states (in one of the 147 approved counties), being under the age of 23, have at least a 2.5 GPA at the time of the application. Additionally, students are pursuing higher education in an agricultural-related field, have a letter of recommendation from 3 farmers (who live in the approved counties).
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Want to find more rural areas scholarships? In that case, look online and through scholarship databases. Otherwise, talk to your high school counselor or college’s financial aid office. Generally speaking, there are plenty of scholarships out there for you to apply for!
Use College Raptor to discover personalized college matches, cost estimates, acceptance odds, potential financial aid from schools around the US, and more—for FREE!
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.99% - 16.33% Variable
4.50% - 14.83% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.99% - 16.20% Variable
3.65% - 15.91% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
|
|
5.80% - 10.80% Variable
4.89% - 10.90% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.98% - 15.63% Variable
4.48% - 15.27% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
5.59% - 10.13% Variable
3.85% - 7.91% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.32% - 16.20% Variable
4.45% - 14.90% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
4.73% - 12.54% Variable
4.48% - 12.29% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
