Rural Business Leadership Initiative (RBLI)
Inspiring Future Business Leaders for Rural Communities
The Rural Business Leadership Initiative (RBLI) is an experiential business leadership program focused on Accounting, Agribusiness, and Finance. The program is designed to inspire, empower, and develop students through:
- Collaborative networks
- Innovative business practices
- Sustainable professional relationships
Students selected for the program will have the opportunity to receive a full-tuition scholarship and gain valuable experience to prepare for leadership roles in rural communities.
Program Benefits
- Leadership opportunities
- Professional networking events
- Career development support
- Internship placement by junior year
- Membership in FBLA-Collegiate (participation strongly encouraged)
Eligibility
Applications are open to:
- Incoming freshmen
- Transfer students with freshman or sophomore standing
- Current CSC freshmen or sophomores
Applicants must show a strong interest in rural business and clearly state this focus in their essay. Eligible option areas include:
- Accounting
- Accounting-CPA
- Agribusiness
- Finance
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: January 31
- Notification of Award: March 20
- Acceptance Deadline: March 31
Scholarships
- 5 full-tuition scholarships awarded each year (tuition only).
- CPA path students: coverage for all 150 credit hours.
- CPA/MBA path students: coverage through all 150 credit hours.
- Non-tuition expenses are not covered, but students may apply for additional aid.
Program Requirements
- Attend required in-person monthly meetings/experiences each year in the RBLI.
- Complete an internship or experiential activity by the end of junior year.
How to Apply
- Complete the RBLI Application
- Provide the following:
- Self-reported ACT/SAT score (optional)
- GPA (minimum 3.0)
- Essay responses: why you want to join RBLI + your rural impact vision
- Resume
- Submit all materials by January 31.
Chosen applicants will be notified by March 20. Accepted students must confirm by March 31.
Contact
For questions about RBLI, please contact: