American Degree

The American FFA Degree is awarded to FFA members who have demonstrated the highest level of commitment to FFA and made significant accomplishments in their SAE. To be eligible to receive the American FFA Degree from the National FFA Organization, the member must meet the following minimum qualifications:

1. Have received the State FFA Degree
2. Have been an active member for the past three years (36 months), and have a satisfactory participation in the activities on the chapter and state levels.
3. Have satisfactory completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education and one full year of enrollment in a post-secondary school agricultural program or have completed the program of agriculture education offered in the secondary school last attended.
4. Have graduated from high school a least twelve months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be granted.
5. Have in operation and have maintained records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program through which a member has exhibited comprehensive planning, managerial and financial expertise.
6. Have earned at least $10,000 and productively invested at least $7,500 or have earned and productively invested at least $2,000 and worked at least 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. Any combination of hours, times a factor of 3.56. plus actual dollars earned and productively invested must be equal to or greater than the number 10,000. Hours used for the purpose of producing earnings reported as productively invested income shall not be duplicated as hours of credit to meet the minimum requirements for the degree.
7. Have recorded of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement.
8. Completed at lest 50 hours of community service in a minimum of three different activities. All hours are cumulative. i.e. – the 25 hours used to obtain the state degree can be used towards the American degree. The community service hours must be in addition to hours spent on paid or unpaid SAE projects. The hours cannot serve a dual purpose in fulfilling both  community service and SAE requirements. All hours must take place outside of regularly scheduled class time.
9. Have achieved a high school scholastic record of “C” or better as certified by the principal or superintendent.

Those wishing to apply for their American Degree must:

1. February 1 – Electronic versions of members applications submitted for review and approval through AET.  Please get these done early so that we have adequate time to review them and get back to you.  
    – Please submit these from your AET Reports>Degree/Application Manager then then “state submission lists and feedback”.  You will then be able to submit them by version number and we will provide the feedback in this format as well.  
    – State Staff will review and get any changes back to you.  Revised applications need to be submitted by March 1
   March 1 – Applications sent to National FFA by State Staff.  This allows National Staff time to edit and suggest revisions if needed.  
   May 1 – Any revisions or questions that need answered will be accepted until May 1.  Final edited applications sent to National FFA.  

Below you will find information regarding American Degrees (as published by the National FFA):