APPLICATIONS
OUTSTANDING JUNIOR
Overview
The Michigan FFA Outstanding Junior Awards recognize exceptional FFA members during their junior year of high school. This award honors students who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, academics, Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAEs), and involvement in FFA. Open only to high school juniors, this award gives you the opportunity to showcase your accomplishments and be recognized for your dedication to agricultural education and FFA.
Requirements for All Applicants
Applicants for the Outstanding Junior Award must meet the following eligibility requirements.
- Be a current high school junior enrolled in an agricultural education program.
- Have received the Chapter FFA Degree.
- Maintain a valid Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) connected to agriculture, food, and natural resources (AFNR).
- Classify each SAE correctly as entrepreneurship, placement, or research, with appropriate supporting records.
- Include a description for each SAE that explains the project and its connection to AFNR.
- After entering agricultural education, earn and productively invest at least $500 or work at least 150 hours outside of scheduled class time in a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE), or a combination of both.
- Complete at least 10 hours of qualifying community service representing at least one activity.
- Include descriptions for all community service entries. Service cannot be provided to an FFA chapter, immediate family members, or through teaching or participating in religious services.
- Achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and maintain a satisfactory record of scholarship and participation in school activities, as certified by the local agricultural education instructor and school administration.
Program-Specific Requirements
| Requirement | Four-Year Program | Two-Year Program |
|---|---|---|
| FFA Membership | Member for at least one year | Member for at least four months |
| SAE Records | Valid SAE with supporting records covering at least one year | Valid SAE with supporting records covering at least one year |
| Leadership Activities | Minimum of three FFA or leadership activities above the chapter level | Minimum of one FFA or leadership activity above the chapter level |
Important
The AET checklist is a helpful tool for tracking eligibility, but it only verifies the baseline requirements established for two-year programs. All applications are manually reviewed by the Michigan FFA Office to ensure applicants meet the requirements for their specific program (two-year or four-year).
Determine SAE Eligibility
A Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) is a student-led, sustained, and supervised learning experience that occurs outside of formal classroom instruction and demonstrates a clear and intentional connection to agriculture, food, or natural resources (AFNR), as defined by the National Council for Agricultural Education AFNR Content Standards.
Before submitting an application, use the resources below to determine whether your SAE is eligible for state-level awards and identify the correct SAE type.
SAE Records
SAE Descriptions
Applications must include a clear description of each SAE project that allows reviewers to determine the project's connection to AFNR, confirm the type of SAE, and evaluate eligibility.
Junior High Records
Records from junior high for an immersion SAE may be included if the student was an active FFA member at the time.
Foundational & Exploratory Records
Hours recorded as foundational or exploratory SAEs cannot be used to meet degree or SAE Award application requirements.
Application Review Process
All applications go through a multi-step review process.
Initial Review
Applications are reviewed by the Michigan FFA Office to verify eligibility requirements and application completeness. Applicants and advisors receive feedback on any required revisions.
Application Revision
Applicants make any necessary corrections or updates and resubmit their application by the final deadline.
Final Approval
The Michigan FFA Office conducts a final review to confirm all requirements have been met before applications are approved.