Students encouraged to apply for STAR Bank’s Future of Agriculture scholarship

STAR Financial Bank has announced the launch of the fourth annual Future of Agriculture college scholarship, continuing its commitment to supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders.

STAR will award five Indiana students a $1,000 scholarship to apply toward their post-secondary education. Students passionate about agriculture and wanting to make a difference in the industry are strongly encouraged to apply.

To qualify, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a high school senior planning to enter a trade or collegiate program within two years of earning the scholarship.
• Be currently enrolled in college or trade school with at least one year remaining in their program as of Fall 2025.

Applicants must complete the online application form on STAR Bank’s website and submit a 250-word essay. This year’s essay question asks: “How do you plan to impact agriculture as it pertains to the past, current or future generations of farmers?”

The deadline to submit applications is April 21, 2025. The contest is open to students who reside or attend school in one of the following Indiana counties: Allen, Blackford, Boone, DeKalb, Delaware, Grant, Hamilton, Hancock, Henry, Huntington, Howard, Jay, Madison, Marion, Noble, Randolph, Steuben, Tipton, Whitley, or Wells.

Submissions will be reviewed and judged by a panel of STAR Agricultural Banking representatives and winners will be selected and notified in May 2025. Since its inception, the Future of Agriculture scholarship program has provided 15 scholarships to students across Indiana.

“At STAR, we recognize the vital role agriculture plays in our state’s economy and communities,” STAR Bank Senior Commercial Banker Chris Stark said. “By supporting students who are passionate about agriculture, we’re investing in their futures and in the future of an industry that sustains us all. This scholarship reflects our commitment to fostering growth, innovation, and leadership in agriculture across Indiana.”

For additional questions about the scholarship program, please email STAR Bank Senior Marketing Communications Manager Brad Saleik at brad.saleik@starfinancial.com.