State and local deadlines:
State chapters will set their own state and/or local scholarship deadlines. However, to be considered for the national scholarship, state winners must be flagged within the scholarship portal by March 1.  Upon selecting the applicant’s state in the portal, the deadline for the state’s local scholarship will appear. All local and state scholarship winners must be flagged by the scholarship chairman in order to mark the application as a local or state winner.

Local chapters must flag winner within the online portal by February 15, 2024 in order to be considered for the state level. 

Accessing the scholarship portal:
State and local scholarship chairman should request access to the scholarship section of the chapter portal from their Regional Director. Access is limited to 3 scholarship users per chapter. After gaining access from the RD, the scholarship chairman will need to create an account if they have never logged in. 

State and Local Selection Process:
As scholarship chairman review the applicants they will select “winner” for the applicant chosen for their chapter. This selection can be changed to another applicant if needed. 

State chapters must have their winner selected on the online portal by March 1, 2025. The national scholarship committee comprised of NWTF volunteers and staff will select the National winner by April 1.

Scholarship description:

Purpose: The purpose of the NWTF Dr. James Earl Kennamer Academic Scholarship Program is to recognize and reward an NWTF member, who is currently a senior in high school, for their outstanding academic achievement, community involvement and leadership roles. The National Scholarship Winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship sponsored by Mossy Oak.

Eligibility:

• Students should be graduating seniors with a 3.0 on 4.0 scale or equivalent grade point average. (If transcript indicates a scale other than 4.0, student should have a minimum of 3.75 on a 5.0 scale, 4.5/6.0 scale, 5.25/7.0 scale, 6.0/8.0 scale, 6.75/9.0 scale or a 7.5/10.0 scale). Students must upload copies of transcripts for review. Finalist GPA and transcripts will be verified.

• Students must be pursuing a degree at an accredited institution of higher education (i.e. Junior College, Community College, Technical College, College or University).

• Students must actively participate in hunting, support the conservation of the wild turkey and the preservation of our hunting heritage. A copy of current hunting license is required.

• Students must be a current NWTF member. If they are not a current member of NWTF, they can visit www.nwtf.org or call (800) THE-NWTF to join. Students can request an ID number from our membership department to include with the application for membership verification purposes.

• Students must be involved in school extra-curricular activities (i.e. FFA, Ecology Club, Science Club, Beta Club, Student Council, etc.).

• Students must demonstrate leadership among his or her peers.

• Students must demonstrate community leadership and/or involvement (i.e. 4-H, civic group or club, scouting, volunteer work).

• Students must upload an essay (400-600 words) exhibiting dedication to conservation and preserving our hunting heritage. Essay must include:

  • why the applicant will be a good investment if awarded this conservation scholarship

  • any experiences and background that demonstrate their dedication to conservation and the preservation of our hunting heritage

  • why hunting is important to him/her and/or their family

• Students must upload two letters of recommendation, preferably one from a NWTF leader and another from a teacher, counselor, community, clergy, etc. (do not include relatives)

• Employees and national board members of the NWTF and their family members are not eligible to participate in the program.

National Selection Process: Students must apply using the official online NWTF scholarship application form https://your.nwtf.org/scholarships/. Incomplete submissions will not be considered, students must have ALL documents available for upload before beginning the application process. No paper applications will be accepted. State chapters must have their winner selected on the online portal by March 1, 2024. The national scholarship committee will select the National winner by April 1, 2025.

Winners may not be notified until their high school awards banquet.

The national winner will be recognized at the NWTF National Convention the following year.

Disbursement of Funds: Students may use their scholarship at any accredited institution of higher education (i.e. Junior College, Community College, Technical College, College or University). The money must be used for tuition, books, fees and housing. This is a one-time award.

For questions regarding the scholarship or issues submitting applications please email Teresa Carroll at tcarroll@nwtf.net