Purpose
To promote continuing education by awarding scholarships for any course of study at institutions of higher learning to a student who demonstrates financial need, academic achievement, and community involvement. Priority may be given to a student wishing to pursue agricultural education.
Background
The Maxwell Watkins Agricultural Scholarship Fund was established in May 2024 to honor the life and farming legacy of Maxwell Watkins, Jr. Maxwell Watkins was a generous member of the community known for helping others in need. His love for children and seeing them become successful is the reason behind this honorable scholarship in his name.
Maxwell Watkins was a sixth-generation farmer in Sutherland, Virginia, raising high yielding crops in fields with a long history tracing back to land grants from the King of England. He was the 2012 Virginia winner of the Swisher Sweets/Sunbelt Expo Southeastern Farmer of the Year Award and served as Director on the Board for the Appomattox River Soil & Water Conservation District receiving awards from the district for his work in education, conservation, and as a director. In addition, he took time to serve in leadership positions for local agricultural and community organizations. Maxwell also served on the Dinwiddie Committee for the USDA Farm Service Agency in Dinwiddie County for several years. Over the course of his life, Maxwell raised many types of crops consisting of wheat, soybeans, corn, tobacco, cotton, pumpkins, and various other cover crops. In addition to raising crops, he also raised many types of livestock on the family run farm. Maxwell Watkins’ love of farming and helping others is why this distinguished scholarship program will help future generations of farmers succeed in his honor.
Policy
The scholarship program is available to seniors graduating from Dinwiddie County High School with an interest in pursuing agricultural education. Students must be planning to attend a technical/trade school, community colleges, two-year or four-year colleges/universities as a full-time or part-time undergraduate student (at least 6 hours per semester).
Scholarship Applicants Must
- Be attending or express an interest in attending college as a full-time or part-time undergraduate (at least 6 hours per semester).
- Submit a completed John Randolph Foundation Scholarship Application ONLINE to include the required documents which must be uploaded with the application.
- Demonstrate financial need and.
- Must have a G.P.A. of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 grading scale, or equivalent.
Criteria Scoring
- (5 Points) Letters of Recommendation
- (10 Points) Financial Need
- (10 Points) Academics
- (5 Points) Extracurricular Activities
- (10 Points) Statement & Essay
Procedure
The scholarship will be paid directly to the school for current year tuition, fees, books purchased through the institution attended, and on-campus dormitory and meal plan expenses. The scholarship committee will review and evaluate all applications and announce awards each spring. The committee will also review and revise the scholarship policy and criteria, as necessary.
To apply, visit www.johnrandolphfoundation.org, click on Grants & Scholarships and Apply for a Scholarship.
The application and required attachments must be submitted online no later than midnight on February 15. If the above due date falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or a legal holiday, then the deadline becomes the next business day by midnight.
Required Attachments to be uploaded as part of Application process include:
- Academic Transcript(s) (High School or College whichever applies.)
- FAFSA Submission Summary (which includes the Student Aid Index (SAI): formally known as Expected Family Contribution (EFC). SAI is an eligibility index number used to determine federal student aid and is generated from the completed FAFSA Application.
- Two Letters of Recommendation (Current)
Failure to provide any of the above information or documentation by the deadline will disqualify an applicant from consideration for the Maxwell Watkins Agricultural Scholarship Fund. The John Randolph Foundation Scholarship Committee reserves the right to interview applicants in the final stages of selection.
The decision of the scholarship committee in all matters regarding scholarships is final. Canvassing a Scholarship Benefactor, any John Randolph Foundation trustee or employee shall result in immediate disqualification. Scholarship awards are subject to the availability of funds and contingent upon acceptance and enrollment in an approved program.
John Randolph Foundation respects the privacy of scholarship applicants. Any personal or financial information will be used for the purpose of assessing the scholarship application and will be made available solely to the Foundation’s staff and scholarship selection committee. We make every effort to maintain your confidentiality.