National Agricultural Aviation Association Support Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by National Agricultural Aviation Association

Description The NAAA Support Scholarship Media Contest supports students planning post–high school education with a chance to reflect on leaders in agricultural aviation. The 2026 prompt asks entrants to identify a person who has made a meaningful contribution to the agricultural aviation industry and explain how that person's work and character have influenced the entrant’s goals or perspective. Submissions should present original ideas and personal perspective while addressing the specified topic precisely. Topic changes and modifications are not accepted. - **Purpose:** Encourage reflection on industry leadership and support students pursuing higher education. - **2026 Topic:** Identify an influential individual in agricultural aviation and describe their impact on you. - **Originality required:** Personal opinion and original work are expected. - **Strict topic adherence:** No deviation from the stated prompt. Eligibility Applicants must meet several sponsorship and enrollment conditions to enter the contest. All entrants must be sponsored by a current NAAA member; the sponsor’s membership must be in place by June 15 of the contest year. The contest is open to anyone pursuing post–high school education, and entrants must be either high school seniors or enrolled in higher education by the fall semester of 2026. Previous winners are not eligible, and self-sponsorship is not permitted. - **Sponsor requirement:** Must be sponsored by a current NAAA member (membership effective by June 15). - **Education status:** High school seniors or students enrolled in higher education by fall 2026. - **Age:** Open to applicants of any age pursuing education beyond high school. - **Restrictions:** Previous winners and self-sponsored applicants are ineligible. Award Value The contest awards a total of $3,000 in educational scholarships funded by the NAAA Support Committee and an industry partner. The NAAA Support Committee contributes $2,000 and Covington Aircraft Engines provides $1,000 toward the total prize pool. Specific award distribution (single award or multiple awards) is determined by the contest administrators. Prize funds are intended exclusively for educational expenses. - **Total pool:** $3,000 in scholarships. - **Contributors:** NAAA Support Committee ($2,000) and Covington Aircraft Engines ($1,000). - **Use:** Scholarship funds designated for education. - **Distribution:** Final allocation set by contest administrators. Application Timeline The contest follows a simple submission timeline with a firm deadline and confirmation process. All entries for the 2026 contest must be submitted by September 8, 2026. After submission, entrants will receive an email acknowledging receipt of their entry. Entrants should plan time for drafting, obtaining a sponsor, producing multimedia (if applicable), and compiling required documents well before the deadline. - **Submission deadline:** September 8, 2026. - **Confirmation:** Receipt of entry acknowledged by email. - **Planning:** Start early to secure a sponsor and finalize materials. - **Hard deadline:** Late or incomplete submissions are not accepted. Submission Options & Requirements Entrants may submit either a written essay or a multimedia presentation; each option has minimum requirements. The essay option requires a minimum of 750 words. The multimedia option requires a minimum 5-minute presentation (video or PowerPoint). Topic deviation is prohibited, and at least one outside accredited source must be cited in a bibliography or works cited page. - **Essay minimum:** 750 words. - **Multimedia minimum:** 5-minute video or PowerPoint. - **Citations:** At least one outside accredited source required. - **No topic changes:** Entrants must stick to the 2026 prompt. Judging & Evaluation Submissions are evaluated on substantive criteria that emphasize clarity, development, and originality. Judges will assess content, theme development, clarity, originality, and correct grammar. Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification, and submissions that fail to follow the topic will be rejected. Judges give weight to how effectively the entrant links the subject’s contributions and character to their own goals or perspective. - **Criteria:** Content, theme development, clarity, originality, grammar. - **Disqualification:** Plagiarism or failure to follow the topic. - **Evaluation focus:** Connection between the chosen person’s influence and the entrant’s perspective. - **Evidence:** Proper citation supports credibility. Required Application Materials Each entry must include clear contact, sponsor, and personal identification information and a brief personal profile. Required items are the entrant’s name, mailing address, email, telephone number, sponsor’s name and/or company, how the entrant knows the sponsor, sponsor address and telephone number, a photograph of the entrant, and a short biography. Package materials neatly and verify completeness before submitting to avoid rejection for missing items. - **Entrant info:** Name, address, email, phone. - **Sponsor info:** Sponsor name/company, relationship to entrant, sponsor address and phone. - **Personal items:** Photograph and short biography. - **Completeness:** Incomplete submissions may not be considered. How to Find a Sponsor If you need a sponsor, look for local aerial applicators and NAAA members who are active in your region. Search online directories and industry listings for aerial applicators and reach out professionally with a concise explanation of the contest and your interest. Explain your goals, provide a draft of your planned submission or outline, and request sponsorship well before the June 15 membership cutoff and the September 8 submission deadline. - **Search:** Use online aerial applicator directories and industry sites. - **Approach:** Contact potential sponsors with a clear, professional message. - **Timing:** Request sponsorship early to meet membership and submission deadlines. - **Materials to provide:** Share a summary of your topic and resume or academic information as needed. History of the Award The scholarship contest is sponsored and administered by the NAAA Support Committee in partnership with industry contributors to promote education in agricultural aviation. It exists to recognize thoughtful reflection on industry leadership while providing financial support to students pursuing further education. Industry partners such as Covington Aircraft Engines contribute funds to increase the scholarship’s impact and foster connections between students and the agricultural aviation community. The award underscores the industry’s commitment to education and professional development. - **Organizer:** NAAA Support Committee administers the contest. - **Industry support:** Partner contributions increase scholarship funding. - **Mission:** Promote education and recognition within agricultural aviation. - **Community link:** Encourages engagement between students and industry professionals.