Although only one application is required for the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment scholarship, there are dozens of potential awards. Thanks to the generosity of donors and alumni, awards are based on criteria such as major, hometown, career goals, club involvement, and more.

Our college scholarships for first-year students are awarded on the basis of the student's high school grade point average, ACT or SAT scores, writing ability and leadership potential. The scholarship application gives a good overview of each applicant's development in those areas.

Our college scholarship application for Fall 2024 first semester freshmen will open on Thursday, September 28, 2023. Applications may be submitted through 11:59 p.m.Tuesday, January 16, 2024. 

NOTE: Applicants must submit their UK admissions application before applying for the college's scholarship. However, students may complete this application before they receive official admittance.

Application Overview

To be eligible for a Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment First-Year Scholarship applicants must:

  1. Apply for admission to the University of Kentucky with a primary major in the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. Students can (and should) apply for this college scholarship before being officially admitted to the University.
  2. Complete the First-Year Scholarship Application. 
  3. Applicant high school GPA will be verified with the transcript sent to UK Admissions. If students do not complete the application for admission to the university by January 16, they will not be considered for scholarships within the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
  4. Write carefully composed essays of approximately 500 words for each essay that answers the application questions (details below).

Applicants will be asked to outline their leadership and involvement activities, including part-time work, throughout their high school career. This may include activities such as sports, clubs, part-time work, awards, volunteer work, and more. 

Students are encouraged to think through their extracurricular activities and create a list prior to beginning the application.  

The essay portion is extremely important. Applicants will be asked to answer the following two questions (each response should be 500 words or less):

Essay 1 - Required

Please describe your career aspirations. What lead you to choose the major you did? What do you intend to do with your major upon graduation? What impact do you hope to have on your community/society once in your chosen career?

Essay 2 - Required

The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

Essay 3 - Optional

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

To create the best possible response, students are encouraged to draft their answer prior to beginning the application. 

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment scholarships are awarded for one academic year, in two equal amounts, for the fall and spring semesters. Students must re-apply for continuing student scholarships in the spring semester of each year.

NOTE: Other scholarships from the University of Kentucky may be renewed annually. 

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment scholarship application for incoming Fall 2024 freshmen will open on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

Students may submit their application through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, January 16, 2024. 

Please click here to apply.

 

More money is available

In addition to our college awards, other University of Kentucky scholarships are available. Scholarship awards will be offered pending early application (pre-December 1) and availability of funds.

More UK Freshmen Scholarships Is your parent a UK Alum? Diversity Scholarship International Student Awards

Questions?

For questions specific to our college scholarship, contact Dr. Carmen Agouridis in the Center for Student Success. For general questions about FAFSA, student loans, other University of Kentucky scholarships and more, contact your UK Financial Aid Counselor.

Find Your Counselor Contact Dr. Agouridis