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Scholarships for students working at member organizations - Apply today!

The Scholarship for Growing the Future is a program that grants students who are employees of IDDBA member companies up to $2,000 towards their tuition. This scholarship is available to employees enrolled in colleges, technical schools, culinary schools, or graduate programs.

For additional information or inquiries, contact us at 608-310-5000 or scholarships@iddba.org.

Applications open February 9Check Company Membership

Application Process

Am I eligible?

Applicants must be:

  • Enrolled in a degree program at a college, technical school, culinary school, or graduate program with a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

  • Employed at an IDDBA member organization for at least 13 hours per week

  • Previous recipients are welcome to apply again. Note that students may receive up to $2,000 per calendar year.

What do I need to apply?
  • Current transcript

  • Letter of recommendation from a supervisor, instructor, or coach

  • Personal essay of 500 words or less describing how your current education prepares you for a career in the agriculture or food industries. Remember that these industries encompass over 22 million jobs with endless, diverse career paths from veterinarians working with livestock to logisticians distributing products to lawyers negotiating contracts. Don't be afraid to think outside the box to find a career path that excites you.

  • Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

When are applications accepted?
  • Applications are accepted from August 11 to October 31 for spring semester reimbursement.

  • Applications are accepted from February 9 to April 30 for fall semester reimbursement.

When is the scholarship awarded?
  • Fall awards are issued mid-November.

  • Spring awards are issued mid-May.

Frequently Asked Questions

Scholarship awards must be used for tuition within six months. The check will be mailed directly to your school with instructions to apply it to the current semester. If your current semester tuition is already fully paid, the school is instructed to apply it to the next semester.

Yes. Students who will be paying tuition to a college, technical school, culinary school, or graduate program within six months of receiving the award may apply.

This scholarship program is open to degree-seeking students only. If you are working for an IDDBA member organization and would like financial support to pursue non-degree training, explore our Professional Development Scholarship.

Contact us at 608-310-5000 or scholarships@iddba.org 

Support Your Team

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"I truly enjoy working with Stater Bros. Markets because of the supportive environment and encouragement I’ve received to continue growing in my education and career. As a 36-year-old single mom and first-generation Latina pursuing my master’s in business at Cal State San Bernardino, this journey has been both challenging and rewarding. I’m deeply grateful to Stater Bros. for believing in me and helping me reach this point. Winning this scholarship means so much it’s a reminder that hard work and perseverance truly pay off, and it inspires me to keep striving for excellence for myself and my family."

Stephanie Roman,
Stephanie Roman