Northfield High School students are encouraged to apply for $1,000 scholarships

The AgStar Fund for Rural America, a corporate giving program of AgStar Financial Services, is offering $20,000 in scholarships to help students in rural areas continue their education. High school seniors throughout AgStar’s 69 county service area in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin are encouraged to apply.

Seniors who plan to continue their education and pursue careers in agricultural fields are encouraged to apply for one of the 15 - $1,000 scholarships available. In addition, the fund is awarding five - $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors who have an agricultural background and plan to continue their education in any field of study. Applications will be accepted from Jan. 1, 2012 through April 1, 2012.

Students will be awarded scholarships based on their academic record, vocational promise, community service and leadership qualities. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or better. There will be four students chosen from each of AgStar’s five regions in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Applicants must be residents of one of the 69 counties within AgStar’s territory:

Minnesota Counties: Aitkin, Anoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carlton, Carver, Cass, Chisago, Cook, Cottonwood, Crow Wing, Dakota, Dodge, Faribault, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Hennepin, Houston, Itasca, Isanti, Jackson, Kanabec, Lake, LeSueur, McLeod, Martin, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Mower, Murray, Nicollet, Nobles, Olmsted, Pine, Pipestone, Ramsey, Rice, Rock, St. Louis, Scott, Sherburne, Sibley, Stearns, Steele, Todd, Wabasha, Waseca, Washington, Watonwan, Winona and Wright.

Wisconsin Counties: Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Iron, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer and Washburn.

Scholarships may be applied toward tuition at colleges, universities, technical or vocational schools. Students can get scholarship application forms online at http://agstar.com/enhancingamerica/fundforruralamerica/Pages/HighSchoolScholarships.aspx.

About AgStar:

AgStar Financial Services, ACA, headquartered in Mankato, Minn., employs more than 600 full-time team members. The company is part of the national Farm Credit System and has a public mission to serve 69 counties in Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. AgStar’s industry specialization, client segments and market delivery systems result in diversification nationwide. The company has expertise in the corn, soybean, swine, dairy and bio-energy industries. AgStar has developed successful programs in loans, leases, crop insurance, tax services, accounting, consulting and rural home mortgages. As a value-added financial services cooperative, AgStar allocates patronage dividends to its 14,000 stockholders. The company is also committed to giving back to rural residents, organizations and communities through AgStar’s Fund for Rural America.  Visit www.AgStar.com for more information.