Dear Scholarship Applicant:

Because of the generosity of the farming community in allowing hot air balloons to launch from or land on their property, the members of Balloon Association of Greater Illinois (BAGI), are pleased to sponsor $500 scholarships to students majoring in agriculture or an agriculture-related program.

The scholarships, which are non-renewable, will be awarded on the basis of exceptional scholastic ability and/or financial need. Vermilion County Farm Bureau will administer the Balloon Association of Greater Illinois Scholarships, and we look forward to your application.

ELIGIBILITY

1. Must be an Illinois Farm Bureau member, member’s dependent (age 21 and younger),
or spouse of member.

2. Must be a U.S. citizen.

3. Must be a high school graduate.

4. Must be accepted by or enrolled in an accredited community college, college, or university.

5. Must be enrolled in agriculture, agribusiness or agriculture-related field.

6. Must exhibit potential for successful completion of course of study.

7. Must reside on a farm in one of the following Illinois counties: Adams, Champaign, DeWitt, Douglas, Ford, Iroquois, Logan, Macon, Marion, Mason, McDonough, McLean, Menard, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Sangamon, Tazewell, and Vermilion.

In addition to eligibility guidelines, the following will be considered in selecting the recipient:

1. Scholarship

- Academic performance and honors

- Rank in class

- ACT score

2. Demonstrated interest in agriculture and agribusiness

3. Financial need

4. Evidence of self-help (How the student is contributing financially to his/her education)

IMPORTANT

You are responsible for including the following items with your application. If one or more documents are missing, your application may be disqualified. The reference letter may be mailed separately, if necessary.

___ Professional goals (Section 4)

___ Reference letter (1)

Applications must be postmarked on or before April 30, 2008 Mail to:

Kerry Wienke

Vermilion County Farm Bureau

1905-C U.S. Route 150

Danville, IL 61832

Thank you for your interest. If you have any questions regarding the application or scholarship program, please contact Kerry Wienke at (217) 442-8713 or Larry Owen at

(217)304-0827. You may also email Larry at larry@owenfinancial.com

Sincerely,

Larry Owen

Scholarship Coordinator

Balloon Association of Greater Illinois

BALLOON ASSOCIATION OF GREATER ILLINOIS

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

1905-C U.S. Route 150

Danville, Illinois 61832

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Please type or print legibly.

Date_____________________________________

SECTION 1. GENERAL INFORMATION

Name_______________________________________ SS Number__________________________

Home Address _________________________________________________________________________

(street or rural route) (town & state) (zip code)

Home County_____________________________ Phone ( _____ ) ______________

Applicant’s or Parent’s Farm Bureau Membership Number______________________________________

High School Attended ___________________________________ Graduation Date ______________

Community College Attended _____________________________ Graduation Date ______________

College or University Currently Attending or Accepted _________________________________________

What is/will be your major area of study? Please be specific. _____________________________________

What is the name and address of your local newspaper? _________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Parents’ Name _________________________________________________________________________

Parents’ Address _______________________________________________________________________

(street or rural route) (town & state) (zip code)

Parents’ Occupation ____________________________________________________________________

How did you hear about the scholarship? __School __News Media __Farm Bureau __Other

SECTION 2. ACADEMIC INFORMATION (Transcripts may be requested later for verification)

What was your high school GPA? ______ / _______ High school class rank? ________/ _______________

(scale) (your rank) (# in graduating class)

What was your composite ACT score? ____________

What was your community college GPA? _________ / __________

(scale)

What is your current overall GPA if enrolled at a four-year school? ______________

What high school/college academic honors have you received? _________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________
SECTION 3. ACTIVITIES

Using the space provided, list agricultural or other clubs to which you belong(ed). Indicate offices held, position of leadership, and activities in which you participate(d).

____________________________________________________________________________________

List church, civic, or community activities.

____________________________________________________________________________________

In the space provided, briefly summarize your experience in agriculture/agribusiness. (Attach additional page, if necessary.)

____________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION 4. PROFESSIONAL GOALS

Please attach a one-page maximum, typewritten explanation of your professional goals and objectives as well as the contributions you expect to make to agriculture/agribusiness and how this scholarship will help you achieve these goals.

SECTION 5. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS REPORT

Since financial need is one factor in selecting the recipient of the Balloon Association of Greater Illinois scholarship, the following information is critical to the committee in their deliberations. The information is strictly confidential and will only be reviewed by the selection committee. It is very important that you answer each question.

How is your education being financed? _____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Do you (or will you) work during the school year to support your education? _______________________

If so, approximate: Hours/week? __________________ Income? ____________________________

Where? ______________________________________ Type of work? ___________________________

Do you work during the summer? _________________ If so, where? ____________________________

Type of work? _________________________________________________________________________

Do you have a scholarship or tuition waiver? __________________ If so, please complete the following:

Name of Scholarship What is its value?

________________________________ _______________________________

Approximately what percent of your education expenses are paid for by your parents? ________________

Do you have any other sources of income? ___________ If so, detail. ____________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have any debts? _______________ If so, detail amount and description of debts.______________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Marital status (check one): Single ______________ Married ____________

No. dependents ______ Ages _______________

Name of spouse ________________________________ Occupation ____________________________

Approximate amount in savings, checking account, cash? ______________________________________

Number of brothers and/or sisters in college? ________________________________________________

SECTION 6. PERSONAL REFERENCE

Please submit one character reference letter with this application. References may not be relatives of the applicant.

I hereby certify that to the best of my knowledge, the above information is correct and complete.

Student’s signature ______________________________________ Date: _____________________

Parent/Guardian’s signature _______________________________ Date: _____________________

APPLICATION MUST BE POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE APRIL 30, 2008.

Send application to:

Kerry Wienke

Vermilion County Farm Bureau

1905-C U.S. Route 150
Danville, IL 61832