Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

Agricultural Engineering and Agricultural Systems Technology Scholarships

Thanks to many generous supporters of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, nearly $60,000 in departmental scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural Systems Technology, and Industrial Technology.

Several scholarships may be awarded based on need. You need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) form either over the web or through the ISU Office of Student Financial Aid.

Please submit typed applications only!

Wessman Memorial Scholarship for Incoming Freshmen

Deadline: May 15

The Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department offers as many as twelve Wessman Scholarships to incoming freshmen. This scholarship is for freshmen in Agricultural Engineering (AE) or Agricultural Systems Technology (AST).

The selection of these awards is based primarily on ACT composite and math scores, high school rank and grade point average, leadership activities and honors.

Incoming freshmen may also compete for two Wessman scholarships targeted to women and minority students.

Selection

Each year, the department automatically considers all incoming freshmen that have declared AE or AST as their degree program by April 1 for this scholarship. We use our records of the student's ACT exam scores and high school performance from their ISU application form for our selection.

We encourage students to fill out this scholarship application form to provide the scholarship committee with any updates to ACT exam scores, and to provide us with further information including leadership activities and honors that may help with our selection. However, ALL incoming freshmen will be considered for this scholarship whether they apply or not.

Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Students

Deadline: March 1

L. F. Charity - In-state tuition for one year. Open to junior/senior in process or food engineering option. From the estate of Dr. Charity, long-time ISU agricultural engineering faculty member in electrical power area.

George Price Grieve - In-state tuition. Open to Agricultural Engineering juniors and seniors. Mr. Grieve was another successful graduate of this department.

J. B. Davidson Open to sophomore thru senior Agricultural Engineering majors.  From the J.B. Davidson estate, Dr. Davidson founded the first Agricultural Engineering Department in the country at Iowa State University and served as its first head.

L. B. Keeney Keeney was an Agricultural Engineering graduate and eventually a top level executive with Grinnell Mutual Re-Insurance Co.  An endowment from his estate provides awards each year for Agricultural Engineering juniors or seniors.

Larry Van Fossen Ag and Biosystems Engineering Scholarship Open to a junior/senior with a preference towards an Iowa resident. This scholarship was established in honor of Dr. Larry Van Fossen, former faculty member in Agricultural Engineering. The scholarship may be awarded to a student for up to two years.

Hobart Beresford Open to sophomore thru senior Agricultural Engineering majors.  Dr. Beresford succeeded Dr. Davidson as department head.

Electric Utility of Iowa Scholarship Open to undergraduate student with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher.  Preference is given to Iowa natives.

Iowa Section American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers scholarship Open to upper-class Agricultural Systems Technology and Agricultural Engineering majors. Sponsored through revenues generated at the annual Iowa Section ASABE "Steak Fry for Scholarships" held each fall.  Awards are made each year and are announced at that meeting.