The Colorado FFA Foundation is pleased to offer the Edward B. Cordes Scholarship Program. The Late Ed Cordes along with his wife Polly Jessen, son Matt Cordes, and daughter Katie Cordes pledged a transformational gift to the Colorado FFA Foundation to create a scholarship fund that provides one scholarship that covers the cost of tuition, fees, and a book stipend capped at $13,000 per academic year to eligible Colorado FFA members who will be attending college/university or vocational/technical school, or pursuing professional certification in Colorado. A housing stipend of up to $6,000 annually will potentially be offered as well, contingent upon demonstrated need. The scholarship is renewable for a total of four academic years of assistance.
Edward B. Cordes grew up in Roggen, Colorado on a diversified farm. In high school, his agricultural education instructor and FFA Advisor, Mr. Wayne Ball had a profound impact on his life. Mr. Ball played a key role in motivating Ed to complete his Bachelor’s Degree from Colorado State University and a Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska. Ed eventually started his own successful business – Cordes & Company, became the chairman of the Board of Guaranty Bank and Trust, and served on a number of public and charitable boards. Through all of his travels and business experiences, Ed remembered how impactful Mr. Ball, and his experiences in FFA were on his life and how much they contributed to his success. Ed served on the Colorado FFA Foundation board of directors from 2014-2020 (several as Chairman) and has assisted in raising funds to positively impact FFA members across the state.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the board and we did incredible things for FFA and ag education in Colorado, but this one is very personal. This scholarship is for students that have drive and ambition, but might not be able to attend college or a trade school because of financial constraints. This fund alleviates that burden and will allow FFA members across Colorado to better themselves and better those around them—the very mission that FFA teaches all of its members—just like Mr. Ball did for me. This is in honor of him.” said Ed Cordes. The scholarship also honors Benny Mendoza, who taught Mr. Cordes “respect for the dignity of his fellow human beings regardless of race, creed, or economic circumstances.” The scholarship selection criteria contemplate that approximately 50% of scholarship funds will be awarded to qualified students of Latin American descent.
To apply, applicants need to complete the application form and upload all of the requested supplemental materials specified in the application. Two letters of recommendation are also required. One must come from the applicant’s agricultural education instructor/FFA advisor and the other from a teacher, counselor, or employer.
Specific scholarship requirements are:
- Demonstrated ambition, integrity, and work ethic
- Challenging high school class selection, given the applicant’s situation and abilities
- Demonstrated leadership among peers
- Commitment to improving yourself and your community
- Applicants must be pursuing a certificate and/or degree in a vocational/technical program or an undergraduate degree in science, technology, engineering, math (“STEM”), education, economics, business, finance, accounting, or agriculture from an accredited vocational/technical program or college or university in Colorado
- Applicants must have at least a weighted 2.5 GPA or teacher recommendations indicating academic initiative and improvement
- Demonstrate significant economic need—including an assessment of need (tuition scholarship) verses dire need (tuition and some housing assistance)
Applications must be submitted no later than 11:30 pm, MST, on April 15, 2024. After review of the applications, the selection committee will select semi-finalists no later than April 20, 2024. Semi-finalists will be interviewed via Zoom Video Conferencing on the morning of April 25, 2024. The successful scholarship recipient will be notified no later than May 1, 2024.
Questions regarding the application and procedures should be directed to the Colorado FFA Foundation executive director, John Stahley, at jstahley@coloradoffafoundation.org.