Academic Scholarship Program
The National Wild Turkey Federation has made a commitment to America's young people through its academic scholarship program. We are able to offer young people college scholarships at the local, state and national level through the generous support of our great grassroots volunteers and fine corporate sponsors.
Our J.A.K.E.S (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) Program is dedicated to educating, informing and involving youth in wildlife conservation and the wise stewardship of our natural resources. The NWTF J.A.K.E.S. Program offers educational outlets and fun activities to youth 17 and under through our national chapter system.
The NWTF is built on simple, basic principles, that includes respect for the flag, regard for religion and the importance of family and conservation. These principles are very important to the NWTF and supporting our children's education through this scholarship program is just one way the NWTF can ensure we have the dedicated conservationists needed for the future. Please review the enclosed eligibility requirements and help us reward deserving students.
The Michigan State academic scholarship was recently renamed in honor of longtime Board member Pete Demos. In addition to being involved in turkey conservation, Pete was instrumental in awarding many scholarships through his local chapter and referring them to the state and national programs. The Michigan State Chapter scholarship will now be known as the Michigan NWTF Pete Demos Memorial Academic Scholarship.
2023 Michigan NWTF Pete Demos Memorial Academic Scholarship Winner
The NWTF Michigan State Chapter would like to congratulate Matthew Kaven from the Bays de Noc Chapter on being awarded the state scholarship for 2023. Matthew will receive $2500 towards his academic studies.
Selection Process
The selection process for local, state and national scholarships is as follows: Students need to fill out the online application at https://your.nwtf.org/scholarships/ and inform the local NWTF chapter that has a scholarship program that the application was submitted online, by February 1. Local chapters will award scholarships by February 15 and forward winners to the state chapter scholarship committee. State officers will review applications and by March 1 select a winner of the state scholarship. The Michigan State Scholarship Committee will forward the state winner to NWTF national headquarters, where the NWTF selection committee will select the national winner by April 1. The state scholarship winner will be awarded $2,500. The national scholarship winner will be awarded $25,000.
If your local chapter is unable to pick a recipient for a local scholarship winner until later in the spring, your chapter can still award scholarships past the deadlines. Nonetheless, local scholarship winners chosen after the deadlines will qualify for neither the state nor national award.
Application Materials
One application will be used for local, state and national scholarship awards. Please fill out the application at https://your.nwtf.org/scholarships/ and inform your local chapter that application has been submitted online.
For More Information
For more information on the scholarship program, contact Teresa Carroll, at the Wild Turkey Center by calling 1-800-THE-NWTF or e-mail her at tcarroll@nwtf.net.