What Is the NWTF Dr. James Earl Kennamer Scholarship and Who Can Apply?

The Dr. James Earl Kennamer Scholarship is an academic scholarship from the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) for one NWTF member who is a current high school senior. It recognizes outstanding academic achievement, community involvement, and leadership, and the national winner receives a $10,000 scholarship. The program opened October 1, 2026, and applications are submitted through the NWTF website; detailed eligibility requirements are posted on the JAKES Program page.

Who is eligible

Based on the NWTF's published description, the core conditions are:

• NWTF membership — the applicant must be an NWTF member.
• Current high school senior — the award is aimed at students in their final year of high school.
• Demonstrated achievement — selection weighs academic achievement, community involvement, and leadership roles.

The NWTF directs applicants to the JAKES Program page for the full eligibility requirements, so treat the list above as the headline criteria and confirm the specifics there before applying.

What the award is

The $10,000 figure applies to the national scholarship winner. The NWTF's page does not describe additional state or chapter-level awards for this program, so don't assume one exists without checking with your state chapter.

How to apply

1. Confirm your eligibility. Read the requirements on the JAKES Program page before starting; this is where the NWTF places the formal criteria.
2. Verify your NWTF membership. Because membership is part of the stated criteria, make sure your status is current — joining or renewing is handled on the NWTF site.
3. Prepare your materials. Expect to document academic performance, community involvement, and leadership experience, since those are the three stated selection factors.
4. Submit through the NWTF application. Use the "Apply Today!" link on the scholarship announcement on nwtf.org.
5. Watch the deadline. The page gives an opening date (October 1, 2026) but no closing date in the material reviewed, so confirm the deadline on the application page itself.

Practical notes

• Timing matters. The program opened October 1, 2026, which aligns with the fall of a senior year — plan to apply early in that window rather than waiting.
• Membership first. If you are not yet an NWTF member, resolve that before assembling the application, since eligibility depends on it.
• Use the local network. NWTF state chapters can be a useful source of guidance on the scholarship and on other youth programs such as JAKES; the site's chapter locator will point you to contacts in your area.
• Don't rely on secondhand summaries. The NWTF explicitly routes eligibility questions to the JAKES Program page, so that page — not this overview — is the authoritative source for requirements and deadlines.