Michael P. Voiles Memorial Scholarship for Insurance and Agriculture

Please note: The deadline for the 2024 scholarship application period closed on April 1. Thank you for your interest!

The Michael P. Voiles Scholarship for Insurance and Agriculture has been established to honor Michael Voiles’ outstanding legacy and service at Missouri Farm Bureau.Head shot of Mike Voiles

Mr. Voiles served Missouri Farm Bureau and its members for 42 years, most recently serving as senior director of our Life Insurance and Brokerage Companies. Before that, he led MOFB’s Property and Casualty Insurance Company insuring Farm, Home, and Auto. His knowledge of the insurance industry and Farm Bureau was remarkable. Voiles was part of significant change in Missouri Farm Bureau and the insurance industry during his tenure of service. His contributions helped take Missouri Farm Bureau’s service to members to new heights.

Mike’s passion for Farm Bureau and for insurance was evident throughout this career having served on multiple boards including American Ag, the Missouri Insurance Coalition, the Missouri Guarantee Association, Missouri Property Insurance Placement Facility, and the Missouri Auto Insurance Plan.

Voiles was a recipient of Missouri Farm Bureau’s highest honor, the “Friend of Agriculture” award.

To encourage students to pursue degrees, and ultimately careers, in the insurance and agricultural industries, Mike’s wife Beckie lovingly created the Michael P. Voiles Scholarship for Insurance and Agriculture in his memory. This scholarship will provide financial support to two deserving students annually.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be:

  • Missouri residents and they, their parent(s), their grandparent(s) or guardians must hold a current Farm Bureau membership in Missouri.
  • A high school senior enrolling in a 4-year college or university with a declared major in an insurance or agricultural field OR a current undergraduate student at a 4-year college or university majoring in an insurance or agricultural field.
  • Enrolled in the fall semester of the year in which the scholarship was awarded.

All applications must contain the completed form along with the following support documents:

  • Letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, professor, community leader, or school administrator
  • Resume
  • If applicant is a rising high school senior, include a copy of high school transcript and notification of acceptance into the degree program of a 4-year college or university.
  • If applicant is a college student, include a copy of collegiate transcript.

Selection and Award of Scholarship

The following selection criteria will be used to evaluate the scholarship applications:

  • The applicant or their parent(s), grandparent(s) or guardian(s) are current Missouri Farm Bureau members.
  • Currently enrolled or accepted by a 4-year college or university to pursue degree in an agricultural or insurance field of study.
    • Examples of Majors that would qualify (but not limited to this list):
      • Agriculture
      • Agricultural Business
      • Business Administration
      • Insurance Risk Management
      • Mathematics with Actuarial Science
      • Sales with a Major in Insurance
      • Finance-Insurance
      • Insurance Accounting
      • Marketing-Insurance
      • Insurance Services Management
      • Loss Prevention
  • Involvement and leadership in school and community activities
  • Deemed an active community member by community leaders and teachers

Scholarship Award Information

The $1,500 stipend will be paid directly to the institution to which the student has been accepted and enrolled. The scholarship may be renewable for up to three additional years, if the student maintains a 3.0 Grade Point Average, continues to pursue an undergraduate degree in the agricultural or insurance fields of study, and maintains a course load of at least 12 hours per semester.

Scholarship awards and renewals will be determined at the sole discretion of the Missouri Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.

For additional information, please contact:

 

Application

Please complete the form below to apply. If you wish to start the application but complete it later, scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Save.”