DuPage County General Scholarship Fund

Scholarship Sponsored by DuPage County Farm Bureau

Overview — how to apply
All scholarship applications for this year must be submitted through the online portal. During the application you will be asked to provide an email address for a teacher and for an advisor; both are required so they can submit recommendations and official transcripts. Each recommender will receive a Reviewr-generated link to complete their portion, so tell them to expect that message. Your work will save to your account so you can return and finish the application later. If you have questions about the process, contact the DuPage County Farm Bureau at 630-668-8161 or email info@dcfb.org.

Scholarships available
- Arnold Oestmann Scholarship — $1,500
- Up to seven awards will be given to high school seniors planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree. No specific major is required. This scholarship honors the memory of Arnold Oestmann of Westmont, IL, a former president of the DuPage County Farm Bureau.

- Culinary and Nutrition Scholarship — $2,000
- Up to two scholarships will be awarded to either graduating high school seniors or college students (freshman through junior) enrolled in culinary or nutrition-related programs. This fund recognizes that food production begins on farms and supports study of food and its role in daily life.

- General Scholarship Fund — $2,500
- Up to five awards for high school seniors entering bachelor’s degree programs connected to agriculture. Eligible fields are broad and may include horticulture, agronomy, engineering, veterinary science, communications, environmental science, food science, biology, and similar programs. Applicants must describe how their chosen career will affect the agriculture sector.

- Ken F. Ebersold Scholarship — $3,000
- Up to three scholarships for current college students (freshman through senior) and students pursuing a master’s degree who are actively enrolled in an agriculture-related undergraduate or graduate program. This scholarship commemorates Ken F. Ebersold of Downers Grove, IL, a former DuPage County Farm Bureau president and long-time volunteer. Previous recipients may reapply during each year of their college career.

- Trade Scholarship — $2,000
- Up to two awards for high school seniors who are enrolled in a Trade & Technical career program. Eligible areas include, but are not limited to, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and truck driving.

- John Buck Memorial Scholarships (offered through Kane County Farm Bureau)
- Two $1,500 scholarships for students from Kane, DeKalb, McHenry, Boone, DuPage, Lake, or Will counties pursuing degrees in agricultural fields. Preference will be given to applicants planning careers in agricultural mechanics or turf management.

Application and document requirements
- Official transcripts must be provided by the school registrar and may be submitted in one of two ways:
1. Sent directly from the school in a sealed envelope enclosed with your application or mailed separately to the DCFB office.
2. Emailed by the registrar to info@dcfb.org.
- Do not use unexplained acronyms (for example, write out Junior ROTC instead of JROTC). Reviewers may not recognize abbreviated names.
- When requesting recommendation letters, choose people who know you well — a counselor, teacher, pastor, club advisor, coach, or employer are appropriate choices — and give them ample time to prepare and submit the recommendation before the deadline.
- Complete every section of the application. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
- If you need more room than the form provides, you may upload attachments (resume, portfolio, list of accomplishments, additional letters, etc.).

Tips for a professional submission
- Collect all required materials before beginning the application to avoid interruptions.
- Presentation matters: type your responses when possible for clarity. If you must write by hand, use a pen and print neatly — do not use pencil.
- Submitting additional supporting documents can strengthen your application.

Things to avoid
- Do not staple or fold your application.
- Avoid food or drink stains on printed materials.
- Read the instructions thoroughly before you begin, meet deadlines early, and follow the guidance above to improve your chances.
- Contact us with any questions — we are available to help.

Important policies and follow-up if selected
- Applications must be postmarked by the deadline date. Materials received after the deadline will not be considered.
- Scholarship checks will be sent directly to the school.
- You will be contacted by email, so provide a current address.
- If a recipient withdraws or otherwise leaves school, any funds awarded by the Foundation must be returned to the Foundation.

If you are chosen as a recipient, we will request:
1. A recent photo (senior photo preferred) for use in the DuPage Farmer publication and for recognition at the Annual Membership Appreciation Dinner.
2. A letter from the registrar at your college or university confirming enrollment as a student for the Fall 2023 term (an acceptance letter is not sufficient).
3. A copy of your student ID or a class schedule that shows your Student ID number.
4. The correct mailing address for the school where the scholarship check should be sent.

If you need further assistance, please call 630-668-8161 or email info@dcfb.org.