Berta Lee White Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation

Description
**Purpose and scope**
This scholarship honors Berta “Bert” Lee White and supports women pursuing agricultural studies in Mississippi. It is administered through the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Programs to promote education and leadership in agriculture among female students. The fund targets students who plan to enroll or are already enrolled in agriculture-related programs at Mississippi universities or community colleges.

Key takeaways:
- Honors Berta Lee White and promotes women in agriculture.
- Administered by Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Programs.
- Targets female students in agriculture-related programs in Mississippi.

History of the Award
**Origins and dedication**
The scholarship was established to commemorate Berta Lee White, a former chair of the Mississippi Farm Bureau State Women’s Leadership Committee. It was created by the Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Programs to recognize her contributions and to invest in the next generation of women agricultural leaders. The fund continues to support multiple recipients each year as part of the Women’s Programs’ scholarship efforts.

Key takeaways:
- Created in memory of Berta “Bert” Lee White.
- Launched by Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation Women’s Programs.
- Intended as an ongoing investment in women’s agricultural education.

Eligibility
**Who may apply**
Applicants must be female and either be a current Mississippi Farm Bureau member or a member of a Farm Bureau family with continuous membership for at least 60 days prior to applying. Candidates must be enrolled in—or planning to enroll in—an agricultural-related area of study at a Mississippi university or community college. Applicants must have completed at least one full year of college coursework before applying.

Key takeaways:
- Female applicants only.
- Farm Bureau membership (or family membership) required, established ≥60 days before applying.
- Must have completed one full year of college and be in an agriculture-related program.

Award Value
**Number of awards and amount**
Each year the fund awards four scholarships of $3,000 each to eligible female students attending Mississippi universities or community colleges. The award amount is fixed per recipient and intended to help cover tuition and related educational expenses for the academic year following the award.

Key takeaways:
- Four scholarships awarded annually.
- Each scholarship is $3,000.
- Awards are intended for students at Mississippi universities or community colleges.

Payment Terms & Conditions
**Disbursement schedule and academic requirements**
Each scholarship is paid in two equal installments across the two semesters of the school year immediately following the award. Funds are paid directly to the recipient’s institution in the student’s name. To receive the second installment the recipient must remain enrolled in an agricultural-related program and achieve at least a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for the first semester; a confirming letter from the school is required. If the recipient withdraws, fails to enroll in an agricultural program at the start of the fall semester, or does not meet the GPA requirement, the scholarship terminates or the second installment is forfeited and returned to the scholarship fund.

Key takeaways:
- Payment in two equal semester installments to the institution.
- Second payment requires continued enrollment in agriculture and a ≥2.5 first-semester GPA.
- Forfeited funds return to the scholarship fund; withdrawal terminates the award.

Application Timeline & Submission
**How and when to apply**
Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted by email no later than June 1. Successful applicants will receive the award for the school year immediately following the selection process, with disbursements made to the institution during that academic year. Applicants should verify that their Farm Bureau membership has been active for the required 60 days prior to submitting their application.

Key takeaways:
- Application deadline: June 1 (email submission required).
- Award applies to the following academic year.
- Confirm Farm Bureau membership duration before applying.

Selection and Alternates
**Awarding process and alternates**
Recipients are chosen through the Federation’s selection process coordinated by the Women’s Programs; detailed selection criteria beyond eligibility are managed by the committee. If a recipient cannot enroll or fails to meet enrollment/GPA requirements at the start of the fall semester, the scholarship will be offered to an alternate chosen from the initial pool of applicants. Forfeited second-semester funds are retained by the Berta Lee White Scholarship Fund for future awards.

Key takeaways:
- Recipients selected by the Women’s Programs committee.
- Alternates are selected from the original applicant pool if a recipient becomes ineligible.
- Forfeited funds remain in the scholarship fund for future use.