West Greeley Conservation District Scholarship

West Greeley Conservation District (WGCD) hosts a scholarship award program annually for eligible graduating high school seniors whose families live within WGCD boundaries and are taxpayers to the District.

Applicants must be enrolled full-time to attend a Colorado institution of higher learning with studies focused on agriculture, conservation, natural resources or related degree fields in the Fall. Student has earned a 3.0 or better grade point average (GPA). Students should not have received a full-ride scholarship from another source.

Scholarship Application packets are due by 4 p.m, April 3rd ; no exceptions, to be considered for a $5,000 scholarship award.

A map showing our District boundaries can be found at: wgcd.org
- For eligibility please check your home address at the County Assessor’s site: https://www.co.weld.co.us/apps1/propertyportal/ to see if your family pays WGCD taxes.
Type in your address and click Full Report.

Scholarship selection is based on the student’s demonstrated:
1. Scholastic ability, having earned a 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 GPA scale)
2. Academic commitment to studies in conservation related fields such as:

  • Natural Resources
  • Environmental Studies
  • Agriculture
  • Animal Science
  • Water
  • Forestry
  • Agribusiness
  • Geoscience, etc.

3. Financial need.
4. Extracurricular activities, volunteer service and/or conservation projects that impact Weld County citizens.



Student application process includes:

  • Fill out the application form. You can find a downloadable pdf form at: wgcd.org
    click conservation education click college scholarships
  • You must Compose a typed 2-page personal essay that addresses the importance of agriculture and conservation to you and summarizes your school and community activities, volunteer work and accomplishments plus, your career goals
  • A complete up-to-date official high school transcript
  • Two confidential, sealed letters of character reference/recommendation from someone NOT related to you-the applicant. Letters must be mailed before or at the time the student applies to arrive via mail before April 3rd, 2024 deadline. Send to:
West Greeley Conservation District
Attn: Scholarship
4302 W. 9th St. Rd.
Greeley, CO 80634

Or you can have them emailed to: kristi.helzer@wgcd.org with the student’s last name in the subject line. Emails must also be received prior to the April 3rd, deadline.
These letters should speak to the potential scholarship recipient’s personal, civic, and academic accomplishments and their character. They can be from a teacher, principal, advisor, neighbor, employer, counselor, or parent of a friend but not from a family member.

  • Applicant might be contacted for an interview



West Greeley Conservation District (WGCD) will accept submissions from:

  • Incoming College Freshman, plus
  • Renewal/Continuing Education current college students who meet the criteria
    No Character reference letters required if you are a previous WGCD scholarship recipient – your essay must be powerful!



The students who are selected will be notified on or before April 23. Scholarship winners must notify WGCD of intent to refuse or accept the scholarship no later than June 1.



IN SUMMARY: Completed application packets can be emailed to kristi.helzer@wgcd.org and must include: application, essay, goals, up-to-date transcript(s). In the email subject line type the category/level of the scholarship you are applying for along with your last name in All CAPS: JONES/JUNIOR. Freshmen candidates must have two personal character reference letters that arrive to WGCD on or before the April 3rd.


WGCD is committed to supporting our taxpayers and encouraging conservation education.

Award
$5,000
Deadline
04/03/2024