Scholarships
The Nebraska 4-H Foundation offers 4-H members the opportunity to apply for scholarships. The Nebraska 4-H Foundation awards up to $22,000 worth of scholarships each year to 4-H’ers from across the state.
To apply for scholarships, 4-H’ers must submit the Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application for state-level review by January 5th. Youth must follow the application instructions available on the Nebraska 4-H Achievement Application webpage. If applying for multiple scholarships, only one Achievement Application should be submitted. If ONLY applying for the Joe Citta, Jr. Scholarship for Outdoor Stewardship, please utilize the scholarship application linked below.
4-H youth may want to visit with the Extension Office in their county and the financial aid office at the college of their choice. There may be other grants, scholarships, or low-interest loans for which they may be eligible.
Scholarship availability may change at any time without prior notice.
Use of Information
The information submitted in the Achievement Application is confidential. Personal information about scholarship winners may be used in local publicity and press releases.
Note: Only the application review committee will have access to transcripts and test scores.
General Eligibility Requirements
The following requirements apply to all scholarships awarded by the Nebraska 4-H Foundation unless otherwise noted. Additional scholarship-specific eligibility requirements may apply. Please see Available Scholarships below for more details.
- Must be a current high school senior, graduating in Spring of the current year and attending college in the Fall of the current year or a current Freshman at an accredited university (see specific scholarship school regulations). ***Exception: Grand Island Horse Scholarship applicants may apply after their sophomore year in high school.
- Must have completed one (1) year of 4-H and be current 4-H member unless otherwise stated in the scholarship-specific eligibility requirements listed below. Please see Available Scholarships below for more information.
Selection Process
Selection will be based on the following factors:
- 4-H background
- Leadership abilities
- Interest and desire for further education
- Scholastic achievements
Scholarships will be awarded to the candidates whose applications earn the highest overall scores from the judges.
Awarding Process
- In order for scholarship money to be awarded, the recipient must be in good scholastic standing in college (minimum of C average =2.0). Scholarship money will be awarded after the successful completion of the first college semester or semester following the application review process.
- The recipient must provide a copy of first semester grades to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation before scholarship money is issued.
- Upon successful receipt of the first semester transcript and satisfactory standing, a check will be sent directly to the recipients Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at their respective college.
Scholarships Available:
- Donna Wampler Endowed Scholarship
- Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply Scholarship
- Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply Scholarship *Scottsbluff/Morrill Counties*
- The 4-H Legacy Scholarship
- Women in STEM Scholarship
- Rose and Guy Richard McDonald Scholarship
- Kimberly Family Memorial Scholarship Fund *Keith County only*
- Joe Citta, Jr. Scholarship for Outdoor Stewardship
- Horse Scholarship — Grand Island Saddle Club
- Horse Scholarship — R.B. Warren 4-H Horse Educational Scholarship
- Horse Scholarship — Audrey Olsan Memorial Horse Scholarship
Donna Wampler Endowed Scholarship
$500 awarded to one individual
- Must be planning to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
- Must be active 4-H member in one of the following counties: Adams, Buffalo, Clay, Greeley, Hall, Hamilton, Howard, Kearney, Merrick, Nance, Sherman, or York.
Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply Scholarship
$1,000 each awarded to three individuals
- Must be planning to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- Must be a US citizen and a resident of Nebraska.
- Must be entering college as a freshman and have been active in Nebraska 4-H.
- Scholarship money is available only during freshman year.
- Must have been member of 4-H during 4 years prior to graduation of high school.
Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply Scholarship
$1,000 each awarded to two individuals
- Must be residing in Scottsbluff or Morrill Counties
The 4-H Legacy Scholarship
$1,000 each awarded to three individuals
The 4-H Legacy Scholarship was established to pay tribute to retired 4-H and Extension faculty and staff, 4-H Volunteers and 4-H Alumni who have touched the lives of Nebraska’s youth through their dedication to Nebraska 4-H. Scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, citizenship, and service through Nebraska 4-H.
- Must be plan to attend the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- Must be a US citizen and a resident of Nebraska.
- Must be entering college as a freshman and have been active in Nebraska 4-H.
- Preference will be given to first-generation college students.
- Scholarship money is available only during freshman year.
- Must have been members of 4-H during 4 years prior to graduation from high school.
Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
$1,000 each awarded to two individuals
The Women in STEM scholarship is a $1000 scholarship for young women who are active in 4-H and are pursuing a career in a STEM related field. The scholarship recipient must be attending a 2 or 4 year program and actively studying science, technology, engineering or math. The scholarship is available for reapplication annually (2 or 4 year college). (2 scholarships available.)
- Must be pursuing a career in STEM
- Must be a female
- Must be active members of 4-H during the 4 years prior to graduation from high school.
- May be applied to tuition for a 2 or 4 year school
Eligible to re-apply for annually while attending post-secondary education.
Rose and Guy Richard McDonald Scholarship
$1,000 awarded to one individual
- Applicant can be any 4-H participant in Nebraska for an accredited college/university or community/technical school in the United States providing the applicant meets the requirements of said scholarship.
- Recipients are eligible to re-apply for a second, third, or fourth year scholarship.
Kimberly Family Memorial 4-H Scholarship
$500 each awarded to two individuals
- Applicant must be enrolled in the Keith County 4-H program.
- Applicant must be a high school senior and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Applicant can utilize the scholarship at any 2-year or 4-year college program
- A resume or 4-H Career Portfolio is NOT required but may also be submitted with the application as additional information.
Joe Citta, Jr. Scholarship for Outdoor Stewardship
$1,000 awarded to one individual
- Open to any youth in Nebraska. Youth do not need to be a 4-H Participant to apply.
- Applicant intends to pursue higher education in any outdoor stewardship or environmental education related career.
- Must attend a four-year program
Joe Citta, Jr. Scholarship for Outdoor Stewardship Application
Horse Scholarship – Grand Island Saddle Club
$1,000 each awarded to four individuals
- Currently enrolled in and active in the 4-H horse program.
- May apply to use with any major offered within the University of Nebraska system. Preference will be given to those within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and then to those in other colleges at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
- Applicants may apply beginning the calendar year in which they complete 10th grade.
- If unsuccessful, applicants may re-apply each year until the completion of their sophomore year in College, an associate degree, or successful obtainment of the scholarship, whichever comes first.
- The scholarship may be earned a single time.
- Scholarship is to be awarded at the end of the first semester completed in the University of Nebraska system. This would normally be the first semester after graduation from high school. An extension will be approved for up to 2 years, to facilitate completion of community college or other college course work. (This is to assist applicants who need/wish to stay closer to home, and may be entering the 2+2 program).
R.B. Warren 4-H Horse Educational Scholarship
$500 awarded to one individual
- Currently enrolled in and active in the 4-H horse program.
- Must attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
Audrey Olsan Memoral Horse Scholarship
$1,500 awarded to one individual
- Is an active participant in the 4-H horse project area
- Is an active participant with demonstrated success at the State 4-H Horse Show/Stampede in non-riding events such as:
- Horse Quiz-Bowl
- Hippology
- Judging
- Demonstration
- Speech
