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, have been an active member for the past three years (36 months) and have a record of satisfactory participation in the activities on the chapter and state levels.

2. Have satisfactorily completed the equivalent of at least three years (540 hours) of systematic secondary school instruction in an agricultural education program, or have completed at least the equivalent of 360 hours of systematic secondary school instruction in agricultural education and one full year of enrollment in a postsecondary agricultural program, or have completed the program of agricultural education offered in the secondary school last attended.

3. Have graduated from high school at least 12 months prior to the national convention at which the degree is to be granted.

4. Have in operation and have maintained records to substantiate an outstanding supervised agricultural experience program, through which the member has exhibited comprehensive planning and managerial and financial expertise.

5. Have earned and productively invested at least $7,500, or have earned and productively invested at least $1,500 and worked 2,250 hours in excess of scheduled class time. Any combination of hours multiplied by a factor of 3.33 plus dollars must be equal to or greater than the number 9,000 (see page 27 for calculations). 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.

6. Have a record of outstanding leadership abilities and community involvement and have achieved a high school scholastic record of “C” or better as certified by the principal or superintendent.

7. Have participated in at least 50 hours of community service, within at least three dif- ferent community service activities. These hours are in addition to and cannot be duplicated as paid or unpaid SAE hours.

8. Applicants must submit an application with the signatures of the chapter president, chapter advisor, superintendent or principal, and state advisor or state executive secretary, certifying accuracy of all statements in the application and that the applicant conduct- ed him/herself in a manner to be a credit to the organization, chapter and community.