The PA Dairymen’s Association and Dairy Excellence Foundation Are Offering Twelve $3,000 Scholarships
The annual Student Leader Scholarship program is now open for undergraduate students, including college students and high school seniors, who are pursuing a career in a dairy-related field. Twelve $3,000 scholarships are available through a partnership between the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, the Dairy Excellence Foundation, and Tröegs Independent Brewing for the 2025-26 academic year. The scholarships opened for applications on March 1 and must be submitted online by May 1.
“With so many students who are passionate and invested in the future of the Pennsylvania dairy industry, we look forward to this scholarship program every year. The program allows us to support students’ educational interests, while making the financial aspect of pursuing higher education a bit more manageable for them,” said Michelle Shearer, Workforce Development Manager at the Center for Dairy Excellence. “If you know a student who is pursuing a future career in dairy, please encourage them to consider applying for the scholarship this spring.”
The Student Leader Scholarships are offered annually to provide recognition, encouragement, and financial assistance to outstanding students enrolled in academic programs that support the dairy industry. Undergraduate college students and high school seniors entering college in the fall are eligible for the scholarships. One scholarship is specifically designated for an incoming freshman.
To qualify for the scholarships, students must demonstrate a commitment to working in the dairy industry. Recipients are selected based on academic performance, interest in a dairy-related career, evidence of leadership, character and integrity, and application compliance.
“Growing up in the dairy industry, I have always been amazed by the passion, care, and dedication of dairy farm families and others who work in the agriculture industry. I strive to model their precedent in my future. To me, receiving this scholarship means that those dairy farmers whom I looked up to when I was younger believe and support me in my future career,” said Sarah Diehl, a 2024 scholarship recipient who attends Virginia Tech University.
Pennsylvania residents who are full-time undergraduate students currently enrolled in a qualifying field of study or high school seniors who are planning to enroll in a qualifying field of study are given consideration for this scholarship. Qualifying fields of study include dairy and animal science, agricultural marketing and business, nutrition, food science, agriculture and extension education, agricultural communications, agricultural engineering, or related fields.
Students can receive the $3,000 scholarship twice during their undergraduate academic career. Students employed by the Center for Dairy Excellence as an intern or in another capacity are not eligible to apply during the period in which they are working for the Center.
“The dairy industry is the foundation and basis of my deep passion for cattle, the land, and the future. By receiving this scholarship, I am further assured that my future in this wonderful industry is going to be solid and steadfast as I continue my education. This has only expanded my ability to fulfill my personal expectations of making a true difference within the community,” said Jay Bratton, a 2024 scholarship recipient who attends The Pennsylvania State University.
To submit an online application and learn more about the scholarship opportunities, visit www.centerfordairyexcellence.org/scholarships or contact Michelle Shearer at 570-768-8316 or by email at mshearer@centerfordairyexcellence.org.