Illinois FFA State Degree Requirements      
Per the Illinois Association FFA Constitution
Section E. State FFA Degree
To be eligible to receive the State FFA Degree from the Illinois Association, the member must meet the following minimum qualifications:
1. Have received the Chapter FFA Degree.
2. Have been an active FFA member for at least two years (24 months) at the time of receiving the State FFA Degree.
3. While in school, have completed the equivalent of at least two years (360 hours) of systematic school instruction in agricultural education at or above the ninth grade level, which includes a supervised agricultural experience program.
4. A student after entering Agricultural Education must have earned at least $1,500 or worked at least 750 hours in excess of scheduled class time in a supervised agricultural experience program.
5. A student after entering Agricultural Education must have productively invested at least $1,000. Revised by Delegate Approval in June 2018
6. Demonstrate leadership ability by: a. Performing ten procedures of parliamentary law. b. Giving a six-minute speech on a topic relating to agriculture or the FFA. c. Serving as an officer, committee chairperson or participating member of a chapter committee.
7. Have participated in the planning and completion of the chapter Program of Activities.
8. Have participated in at least five different FFA activities above the chapter level.
9. The member's local chapter must certify that it has held not less than twelve (12) meetings during the preceding twelve (12) month period.
10. Be in the upper 40 percent of the class in scholarship or have an average of a 3.5 on a 5.0 scale or 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in all school subjects during the entire period of application for the State FFA Degree. (Only option eligible is the point system used by the student's school)
11. Have participated in at least 25 hours of community service activities that are not a part of the member’s supervised agricultural experience hours and are in addition to the hours required in Article VI, Section E, Item 4