The deadline to submit applications for the Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge 2024 Scholarship is Wednesday.

The Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Board of Directors established the scholarship to support young people in local communities with an interest and drive to study and begin careers in a natural resource field. The scholarship supports one graduating high school senior with $1,000 per year for tuition, books, and other college educational expenses. Students may renew the scholarship for up to three additional years, if they continue to meet the renewal requirements. An annual submission of college transcripts to the Friends of Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge Scholarship Committee will be required for renewal.

To be eligible for the scholarship, a student must be a graduating senior from Bondurant-Farrar, Colfax-Mingo, Newton, PCM, Pella, Pella Christian, or Southeast Polk. Additionally, students must submit a personal statement demonstrating commitment to natural resources and conservation and must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale.

Completed applications must be submitted by Wednesday. Find a link to the application here.