Washington State 4-H Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Washington State 4-H Development Program

Overview
The Washington State 4-H Dairy Endowment awards two $500 scholarships each year. One of these is restricted to high school seniors. The Scott Hodgson Scholarship is intended to support continuing education beyond high school and is open to high school seniors as well as students currently enrolled at a community college or university. A single application will be considered for both Dairy Endowment awards (if you meet eligibility for both). Applicants may not receive more than one of these particular scholarships in the same year.

Deadline
Applications must be submitted by April 1st annually.

Who may apply
- Current or former Washington State 4-H members with at least two years of 4-H affiliation are eligible.
- For Washington State 4-H scholarship programs, applicants must be enrolled and approved as a 4-H member by March 1st.
- For most state scholarships, applicants should be high school seniors planning to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the fall. (Exception: the Scott Hodgson Scholarship also accepts students already enrolled at a community college or university.)

Required application materials
Prepare and combine all required documents before completing the online application. All materials must be uploaded together as a single file in 4-H Online.

You must include the following:

1) Cover letter (maximum one page)
- Explain your interest in the scholarship, your educational and career goals, how you plan to achieve them, and how you will give back to your community and support the future of 4-H.

2) 4-H story / Essay (minimum two pages)
- The essay should introduce you (where you live, when and why you joined 4‑H), describe your 4‑H projects and activities, major learning experiences, special interests, and accomplishments.
- Discuss how 4‑H influenced your college choice, intended major, and future plans. Address how your 4‑H participation reflects each element of the 4‑H pledge (do not simply quote the pledge). Describe life skills gained through 4‑H and how you will use them going forward. Also include non-4‑H involvement (employment, school, sports, volunteer or community activities).
- Format recommendation: 2 pages, double-spaced, 12‑point font, 1" margins.

3) Resume
- Document the length and depth of your 4‑H involvement, leadership positions, responsibilities, project size/scope and time commitment, community service, and specific accomplishments (individual and team). Also list non‑4‑H volunteer work and community engagement. Clearly label what items are 4‑H and what are non‑4‑H.

4) Two letters of recommendation
- One letter must come from an academic advisor or school official on institution letterhead.
- The other letter should be from someone who knows you and your accomplishments personally (not a parent or relative).

5) Academic transcript
- Provide a high school transcript (unofficial copies are acceptable). Grade reports are not acceptable.

Application processing notes
- Ensure every required component is included; incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Upload the combined document into 4‑H Online as a single file.

Non-discrimination statement and reporting
WSU 4‑H Youth Development aims to provide safe, inclusive environments for all youth and adults regardless of race; sex; gender; sexual orientation; gender identity; gender expression; religion; age; color; creed; national or ethnic origin; citizenship; physical, mental, or sensory ability; genetic information; and/or veteran or military status. WSU Extension programs, employment, and volunteer service are available without discrimination (see WSU Executive Policy #15). Concerns about discrimination may be reported through your local WSU Extension office or directly to the WSU Compliance and Civil Rights (CCR) office: https://ccr.wsu.edu, ccr@wsu.edu, 509-335-8288.

Other Washington State 4‑H scholarships (amounts and basic requirements)
- J. Orville/Helen Young Memorial Scholarship — $500
Requirement: Plan to attend a two- or four-year college.

- Lewis County 4‑H Leaders Scholarships — two $1,000 and one $500 awards
Requirement: Plan to attend a two- or four-year college; applicants may be from any Washington county.

- O.M. Plummer Memorial Scholarship — $500
Requirement: Plan to attend a two- or four-year college.

- Thomas R. Quann Scholarship — four $2,000 awards
Requirement: Plan to attend a two- or four-year college.

- Washington State 4‑H Foundation Trustees Scholarship — $1,000 awards
Requirement: Plan to attend a two- or four-year college.

- Woody and Joan Bernard 4‑H Scholarship — two $1,000 awards
Requirement: Plan to attend a four-year accredited institution or a two-year vocational institution.

- WSU CAHNRS 4‑H Scholarship — one $3,000 and one $1,500 awards
Requirement: Demonstrated leadership among peers and plans to enroll in the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences at Washington State University for your freshman year.

If you have questions about eligibility or the application process, contact your local WSU Extension/4‑H office.