Ohio 4-H Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Ohio 4-H Foundation

Overview
Ohio 4‑H rewards individual achievement in projects, leadership, citizenship and community service. The state’s 4‑H scholarship program, created in 1976, is meant to help young people become self‑directing, productive members of their communities. At present there are 36 statewide 4‑H scholarships available; many counties also offer additional county‑level awards.

Quick facts and deadlines
- Use Scholarship Universe to find and apply for most internal and external scholarships that apply to 4‑H members.
- Complete both your FAFSA and your Scholarship Universe profile by February 1 to maximize financial aid and scholarship matches.
- Scholarship Universe uses your profile and matching questions to suggest awards—fill everything out carefully and update it each year.

What you’ll need before starting a 4‑H scholarship application
Gather these items so you can complete the application in one sitting or with minimal interruptions:
- High school GPA and class rank.
- List of academic honors and awards (with dates).
- If you are or will be an Ohio State student: your OSU username and OSU ID number (both are on your admission receipt email).
- Name, city, and state of the college or university you are attending or plan to attend.
- Intended academic major.
- Detailed information about your major 4‑H leadership roles: titles, years, level (club/county/district/state), primary duties and measurable accomplishments.
- Detailed information about major 4‑H honors you have received (name of honor, year, and brief context).
- A clear statement of your educational, career, or personal goals and how 4‑H has influenced those goals.
- A personal statement explaining why a 4‑H scholarship would be important to your ability to attend college and how 4‑H has shaped your personal development, leadership skills, and future success.

Teacher tips for a stronger application
- Be specific: give years, names of offices, numbers (e.g., “led a team of 8”), and concrete outcomes.
- Show growth: explain not just what you did, but how those experiences changed you and prepared you for college.
- Tailor your personal statement to each scholarship, when possible—focus on the elements the selection committee values.
- Complete Scholarship Universe and FAFSA every year to keep your opportunities open.

If you want, I can help you draft or edit your personal statement or review your list of leadership roles and honors to make them application‑ready.