Ohio Cattlemen's Association Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Ohio Cattlemen's Association

Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation Scholarships — Quick Reference Overview The Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation administers a suite of college scholarships for youth involved in the beef and agricultural industries. Awards are funded through partnerships with businesses, event proceeds, and memorial gifts. Recipients are recognized at the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet in January. Specific scholarships vary by funding source, target population, and selection criteria. Key takeaways - Scholarships support students studying beef- or agriculture-related fields. - Funding comes from license plate sales, events, sponsors, and memorials. - Awards are distributed at the OCA Annual Meeting in January. - Number, amount, and eligibility vary by named scholarship. General Eligibility The baseline eligibility for most Foundation scholarships is high school seniors or current college students enrolled in a two- or four-year college or university who are pursuing a beef- or agriculture-related field. Some named scholarships add age limits, location requirements, or special selection criteria (for example, return-to-farm grants or OSU team membership). Applicants should check individual award descriptions for exceptions and additional requirements. OSU veterinary and livestock-judging scholarship applicants may receive application details directly from their campus contacts. Key takeaways - Typical applicants: high school seniors and current college students in 2- or 4-year programs. - Field of study: beef- or agriculture-related disciplines. - Read each scholarship’s special eligibility carefully (e.g., age limits or campus-specific awards). - OSU students may get direct application emails for certain awards. Application timeline and award presentation Scholarship selection and notification timelines vary by award. In general, recipients are announced and recognized at the OCA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet each January. For Ohio State–specific awards, OSU students in the College of Veterinary Medicine receive application information by email at the end of the autumn semester; livestock judging team applicants should contact their coaches for details. Always confirm deadlines and submission requirements with the Foundation or the named contact for each scholarship. Key takeaways - Awards are presented at the OCA Annual Meeting in January. - OSU vet students receive application prompts at the end of the autumn semester. - Livestock judging applicants should contact their team coaches for details. - Verify deadlines with the Foundation or listed contacts for each scholarship. Tagged for Greatness Scholarship The Tagged for Greatness scholarship funds come from the sale of Ohio beef specialty license plates at the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. This program supports youth in beef-related studies by awarding multiple scholarships each year. Awards are intended to promote the beef industry and reward students with demonstrated interest in the field. Key takeaways - Award value: Four scholarships of $1,000 each. - Funding source: Proceeds from Ohio beef specialty license plate sales. - Recipient focus: Students pursuing beef- or agriculture-related studies. - Presented at the OCA Annual Meeting in January. Cattlemen’s Country Club Scholarship This scholarship is supported by funds raised at the Cattlemen’s Country Club putt-putt golf course during the Ohio State Fair. The program channels fair-time fundraising into multiple annual awards for students entering beef- or ag-related programs. It’s a community-funded opportunity intended to reinvest fair proceeds back into agricultural education. Key takeaways - Award value: Four scholarships of $1,000 each. - Funding source: Proceeds from the Cattlemen’s Country Club putt-putt at the Ohio State Fair. - Target: Students studying beef or agriculture. - Recognized at the OCA Annual Meeting. Saltwell Expo Scholarship Saltwell Western Store and the Ohio Beef Expo sponsor this scholarship using a percentage of sales from Expo apparel sold at Saltwell’s trade show booth. The award supports students connected to the Expo and the beef industry. It provides a pathway for trade-show revenue to directly benefit agricultural education. Key takeaways - Award value: Three scholarships of $1,000 each. - Funding source: Percentage of Expo clothing sales at Saltwell’s booth. - Sponsors: Jay and Sally Puzacke (Saltwell Western Store) and Ohio Beef Expo. - Supports students pursuing beef-/ag-related studies. Noah Cox Memorial Scholarship Established in memory of Noah Cox (passed May 2017), this memorial scholarship grants support to a student committed to the agricultural field. It is a single-year monetary award that honors Cox’s legacy by investing in the next generation of beef-industry professionals. Key takeaways - Award value: One scholarship of $1,000. - Purpose: Memorial award in honor of Noah Cox. - Target: Students pursuing beef- or agriculture-related studies. - Awarded at the OCA Annual Meeting. Cattlemen’s Gala Scholarship Proceeds from the Cattlemen’s Gala Celebration and Fundraiser finance a sizeable pool of scholarships distributed annually. This fundraising-driven program offers multiple awards to students entering agricultural fields, reflecting the Gala’s role in supporting industry education. Key takeaways - Award value: Twelve scholarships of $1,000 each. - Funding source: Proceeds from the Cattlemen’s Gala Celebration and Fundraiser. - Goal: Broadly support students in beef/agriculture programs. - Recipients announced at the OCA Annual Meeting. Bill Tom Memorial Scholarship The Bill Tom Memorial Scholarship is a $1,500 award for a graduating high school senior or college student enrolled in an Ohio two- or four-year institution pursuing an agricultural degree. In addition to standard evaluation criteria, applicants complete an extra section addressing financial need—this is considered in selection. The scholarship honors Bill Tom’s legacy by supporting students with demonstrated financial need and agricultural career intent. Key takeaways - Award value: One scholarship of $1,500. - Eligibility: Graduating seniors or college students at Ohio 2- or 4-year institutions seeking an agricultural degree. - Selection adds an extra financial-need section to the application. - Evaluated under the Foundation’s scholarship criteria with emphasis on need. Bill Tom Memorial Success Grant This $1,500 success grant targets young people returning to the farm and can fund practical needs such as equipment, cattle purchases, or vocational training (diesel mechanics, welding, AI, embryo transfer). Eligible applicants are graduating high school seniors through age 25. The selection prioritizes demonstrated financial need and the applicant’s plan to return to farm operations. Key takeaways - Award value: One success grant of $1,500. - Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors through 25 years old returning to the farm. - Permitted uses: Farm equipment, cattle, or vocational/trade training related to farm operations. - Selection based on financial need and return-to-farm plan. John Grimes Memorial Scholarship The John Grimes Memorial Scholarship is a $1,500 award for graduating high school seniors or college students enrolled in Ohio two- or four-year institutions seeking an agricultural degree. The scholarship follows the Foundation’s standard evaluation process and commemorates John Grimes by investing in agricultural education and development. Key takeaways - Award value: One scholarship of $1,500. - Eligibility: Graduating seniors or college students at Ohio 2- or 4-year colleges pursuing agricultural degrees. - Selection: Evaluated according to Foundation criteria. - Honors the legacy of John Grimes. John Grimes Memorial Success Grant Similar to the Bill Tom success grant, this $1,500 award supports young people returning to the farm for purchases or training that enable on-farm success. Eligible applicants are graduating high school seniors through 25 years of age. The grant is intended to remove financial barriers to re-entering farm work or expanding farm operations. Key takeaways - Award value: One success grant of $1,500. - Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors through age 25 returning to the farm. - Uses: Equipment, livestock, or vocational training to support farm success. - Selection focuses on applicant need and farm-return plans. Livestock Judging Team Scholarships — OSU Students Two $2,500 scholarships are designated for Ohio residents who are members of Ohio State University’s junior and senior General Livestock Judging teams—one for the Columbus campus and one for OSU ATI in Wooster. Preference is given to applicants with demonstrated interest in the beef industry and/or involvement in the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association. Interested students should contact their team coaches for application details. Key takeaways - Award value: Two scholarships of $2,500 each (one Columbus, one Wooster). - Eligibility: Ohio residents on OSU junior or senior General Livestock Judging teams. - Preference: Beef-industry interest and OCA involvement. - Contacts: Coach Matthew Chaney (Columbus) chaney.287@osu.edu; Coach Seth Ebert (Wooster) ebert.100@osu.edu. Large Animal Veterinary Scholarships — OSU Students The Foundation awards two scholarships to third- or fourth-year veterinary students at The Ohio State University who demonstrate interest in large-animal (food/farm) medicine. Preference is for students whose work, research, or community involvement shows beef-industry interest and who plan to practice in Ohio. Scholarship amounts may vary by enrollment level and available funding; OSU veterinary students receive application instructions by email at the end of the autumn semester. Key takeaways - Award value: Two scholarships; amounts vary based on enrollment and funding. - Eligibility: OSU College of Veterinary Medicine students in years 3 or 4 with interest in large-animal medicine. - Preference: Candidates planning to practice in Ohio or demonstrating beef-industry involvement. - Contact: Caroline El-Khoury el-khoury.7@osu.edu; students receive email application details at the end of the autumn semester. Where to get more information For questions about application requirements, deadlines, or documentation, contact the Ohio Cattlemen’s Foundation or the specific contacts listed with the OSU-related awards. Confirm submission procedures and any scholarship-specific materials (essays, financial-need statements, or proof of involvement) before applying. Key takeaways - Verify deadlines and requirements with the Foundation or named contacts. - Prepare scholarship-specific documents (essays, need statements, verification of involvement). - Use OSU contacts for campus-specific awards and the Foundation for general inquiries.