Tuition Assistance
Program Objective:
AgStar’s GroundBreakers program is dedicated to providing ongoing access to credit, supporting financial services, and educational opportunities to young and beginning farmers. We recognize Farm Business Management courses are valuable in helping young and beginning farmers learn to maintain and interpret business records, establish business and personal goals, and apply economic principles to management decisions.
Key Elements:
The Tuition Assistance Program is designed for individuals enrolled in Farm Business Management courses through the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MnSCU) and the Wisconsin Technical College System.
The program is available to farmers, spouses, or partners (actively involved in a farm operation) 35 years of age or younger, who have been farming for 10 years or less. Applicants must be enrolled in a certified farm business management program and a resident of our 69-county service area.
A committee consisting of AgStar representatives will select the recipients based on the completion of an application form and proof of enrollment. Recipients will receive $500 made payable to the course sponsoring system. Maximum awards per individual are $500/year, with a lifetime maximum of $1,000.
Program Timing:
A total of $25,000 has been dedicated to the Tuition Assistance Program for applications received between August 1, 2009 and July 31, 2010. Applications will be received and reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Application [PDF]
A completed application form and proof of enrollment should be sent to:
AgStar Financial Services
Attn: Liz Tusa, GroundBreakers Committee
P.O. Box 4249
Mankato, MN 56002-4249
Funding provided by the AgStar Fund for Rural America.
Note: Immediate family members of AgStar employees or Board Members are not eligible.