Select Sires Member Cooperative Scholarship 2026-2027

The Board of Directors of Select Sires Member Cooperative (SSMC) wishes to recognize the efforts and long-term goals of member-owners by offering $40,000 in scholarships to those students pursuing a higher education in an agricultural field from member-owner families. Students who have a desire to remain in the agricultural industry, especially the dairy and/or beef industries, will be given highest priority.

Select Sires Member Cooperative supports our team, cattle producers, and their local communities. We value teamwork, collaboration, expanding knowledge and advancing success. We believe knowledge is the path to individual and collective growth. We are committed to expanding knowledge within our teams as well as our membership. Supporting the development of the future leaders of tomorrow is part of our culture, priorities and cooperative responsibility.

A selection committee consisting of board members and management will make final selections of scholarship recipients. The scholarship committee will award the $40,000 based on merit, number and quality of applicants.

Eligibility

• Must be from a member-owner operation, currently doing business with SSMC at the patronage standard level of $1,000 of semen business per year.

• Must be enrolled in a two or four year college or university, proof of enrollment required for incoming freshman, transcript will be required for all others.

• Must be of freshman or sophomore standing with fewer than 60 total credit hours earned and at least two semesters of school prior to graduation.

Required Submission Materials:

1. Complete application (Customer account number must be provided and will be verified to determine eligibility)

2. Written Essay

3. Video

4. Transcripts – Upload a transcript from December 2025 for all currently enrolled college students. Incoming freshman for the fall of 2026, must include a high school transcript and a proof of enrollment to a two or four year college or university. Unofficial copies are acceptable.  

5. Headshot – Upload a 2 x 3 inch jpeg or png file. Images will be used in promotion of winners. Please no selfies.

Deadline: April 20, 2026

The required material must be submitted online by April 20, 2026.  Scholarship award announcements will be made no later than July 31, 2026. Incomplete or ineligible applications will be disqualified.

Questions about eligibility should be directed to [email protected].