Alumni Association Scholarships

The Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) Alumni Association awards scholarships in one of three categories for full-time students in good standing within the college each winter.

Deadline to apply: March 1, 2025 at 10 p.m.

APPLY NOW

Scholarships will be awarded for use during the 2025-2026 academic year at Michigan State University:

Institute of Agricultural Technology - first-year students

Up to three (3) $2,000 scholarships will be awarded for use during the second year enrolled in the Institute of Agriculture Technology (IAT).

Undergraduate CANR Major - junior status students

Up to eight (8) $3,000 scholarships will be awarded to juniors for use during their senior year at MSU.

CANR Graduate Student

Up to two (2) $3,000 scholarships will be awarded for use during the 2024-2025 academic year.

These scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate leadership and community service, possess effective communication skills, have a commitment to their chosen field of study, are well-rounded in their academic and non-academic pursuits, and have a vision or plan for their future career.

Applications are now open and available to apply online at here: The deadline to submit a complete application is March 1, 2025 at 10 p.m. No applications or supporting documentation will be accepted after that deadline.

The scholarship committee interviews a select number of candidates during the spring semester and notifies the recipients in April/May. The scholarship will be applied to the following academic year.

The CANR Alumni Association raises funds for these scholarships through fundraising activities as well as gifts from alumni and friends.

To support the CANR Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund, please visit: https://givingto.msu.edu/gift/?sid=8188.

Selection Criteria

The MSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Association Scholarship will be awarded to full-time students in good standing in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR) for use during the 2025-2026 academic year at Michigan State University.
You have demonstrated commitment to your chosen field.
You show indications of future success in your academic pursuits.
You have a vision or plan for your future career.
You will continue to be an ambassador for MSU and CANR long after graduation.
Your COMPLETE application must be submitted by 10 p.m. on March 1, 2025, including resume and both letters of recommendation.

Things to prepare:

A RESUME (OR CV).
NAMES AND CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESSES OF TWO professors/instructors and/or employers who will write letters of recommendation for you.
- We will send your letter writers ONE email with instructions on how to send us the letters.
- You are responsible for assuring that your letters are submitted by your letter writers by the deadline.
- Note that the quality of these letters is taken into account when applications are reviewed, please select your letter writers with that in mind.
ANSWERS TO THE ESSAY QUESTIONS YOU WILL FIND IN THIS APPLICATION.
- 1) Describe your immediate plans after graduation.
- 2) Describe your longer-term goals, plans and aspirations.

Limit for each is about 250 words. Please use complete sentences, proper grammar, etc.
You will be able to paste in the essays, but please compose them elsewhere rather than typing them directly into this application.

APPLY NOW

For more information, contact:

Aaron Wittbrodt, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, wittbr23@msu.edu

News

CANR Alumni Association student club grants support learning opportunities

Published on October 16, 2024
For 18 years, the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Board has awarded grants helping CANR student organizations offset the costs of special projects and experiential learning opportunities.
Incoming CANR Alumni Board president shares vision for the future

Published on October 9, 2024
Cassaundra (Cass) Edwards ('94, Food Engineering), the newly elected CANR Alumni Board president, is excited to use her platform to support the mission of the college and empower the next generation of leaders
CANR Alumni Association announces 2023 student scholarship recipients

Published on June 13, 2023
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Association awards scholarships to students who are well-rounded in their academic and non-academic pursuits and have a vision for their future career.
Passion for strawberries sparks grad student’s education and career goals

Published on November 28, 2022
Plant, Breeding, Genetics and Biotechnology Ph.D. student Ashley Wright has a research focus on strawberries and a teaching focus on improving scientific literacy in non-STEM majors.
4-H alumna becomes a Spartan to follow in her father’s footsteps

Published on November 14, 2022
4-H alumna and Animal Science senior Mikayla Bowen knew she would continue in her father's footsteps by becoming a Spartan.
4-H alumna pursues Fisheries and Wildlife degree to combine passion for animals, conservation and the environment

Published on November 7, 2022
Lauren Emerick’s 4-H experience led her to pursue a degree combining her interest in animals and a desire to help tackle global environmental challenges.
Founder and co-host of “The Sci-Files” researches biosensors to detect swine fever

Published on October 31, 2022
Chelsie Boodoo, founder and co-host of “The Sci-Files” on Impact 89 FM, is a Ph.D. candidate researching DNA-based biosensors to detect swine fever viruses.
4-H and FFA alumna’s agricultural passion leads her to study at Michigan State University

Published on October 24, 2022
A deep passion for agriculture led 4-H and FFA alumna and current Agribusiness Management senior Madelyn Cary to pursue an education at Michigan State University (MSU).
Forestry student finds way for ecology to remediate our landscape and provide more of our natural resources

Published on October 14, 2022
Forestry senior Andrew Deleruyelle has a long-term goal to make people want to eagerly participate in conservation efforts.
Doctoral student evaluating long-term sustainability in fisheries using quantitative stock assessment models

Published on October 10, 2022
Fisheries and Wildlife Ph.D. student Emily Liljestrand combines a passion for mathematics and computer modeling with a love for marine biology to evaluate long-term sustainability in fisheries.
Horticulture student recommends becoming involved in student clubs

Published on October 3, 2022
Horticulture senior Emma Brinks found community in the Student Horticulture Association. Her long-term goal is to own a nursery of her own that focuses on native plants and natural ecosystems.
Michigan State student finds passion in helping communities with environmental concerns

Published on September 26, 2022
Environmental studies and sustainability senior Lauren Sawyer aspires to help communities with environmental concerns.
MSU Ph.D. student researching how environmental chemical exposure impacts human health during pregnancy

Published on September 16, 2022
FSHN Ph.D. student Diana Pacyga’s research focuses on evaluating how environmental chemical exposure impacts human health, particularly during pregnancy.
CANR undergrad experience helps student find passion in agriculture and food, outreach education

Published on September 12, 2022
Crop and Soil Sciences senior Rachel Drobnak plans to pursue career path in MSU Extension after learning importance of agriculture to food systems.
MSU Fisheries and Wildlife student and archer is passionate about the stewardship of natural resources

Published on September 6, 2022
Fisheries and Wildlife senior and member of the MSU Archery Team Elizabeth Litwin dreams to work in the National Park System.
Animal Science doctoral student aims to improve the dairy industry

Published on August 29, 2022
Ph.D. candidate Kirby Krogstad aspires to become a professor to help farmers and teach the next generation of students.
2022 CANR Alumni Association scholarship recipients announced

Published on June 7, 2022
The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Alumni Association awards scholarships to students who are well-rounded in their academic and non-academic pursuits and have a vision for their future career.
Student furthers education for a future career in equine industry

Published on December 7, 2021
Abigayle Holland’s volunteer experience at a horse rescue helped her decide to further her equine education through the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology.
Entomology doctoral student blends interests to pursue career as a climate change scientist and outreach educator

Published on December 1, 2021
In addition to researching climate change and plant communities, Ph.D. student Elizeth Cinto Mejía enjoys outreach and science education with K-12 students, teachers and other educators she admires.
Food science student connects studies with human health and safety

Published on November 22, 2021
MSU undergraduate Rajsri Raghunath wants to shape food policy and help make food labels accessible for everyone.