Ohio 4-H Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Ohio 4-H Foundation

Introduction and eligibility
Ohio 4-H awards scholarships to young people who demonstrate excellence in project work, leadership, citizenship, or community service. The Ohio 4-H Scholarship fund began in 1976 to support youth in becoming independent, productive, and engaged members of their communities. In addition to the statewide awards described here, many counties provide their own local scholarships; contact your county extension office for a listing. To be considered for the statewide 4-H scholarships, you must submit the college 4-H scholarship application via Scholarship Universe by February 15, 2026.

Scholarships and financial aid overview
Most internal and external scholarship opportunities are managed through Scholarship Universe. To maximize your financial aid, file the FAFSA (available beginning October 1, 2025) and complete your Scholarship Universe profile by February 1, 2026. Scholarship Universe uses the information in your profile and your answers to matching questions to connect you with scholarships — so complete your profile fully. Repeat this process each year to keep scholarship matches current. Last year, CFAES undergraduate students were awarded more than $3.8 million in scholarships for study at the Columbus and Wooster campuses.

How to apply (key steps)
- Access Scholarship Universe via BuckeyeLink using your Ohio State username (format: lastname.#) and password, or go directly to https://osu.scholarshipuniverse.com/.
- Finish your profile and respond to the matching questions; the more complete your answers, the more scholarships you may be matched with.
- Make sure to submit both the CFAES Scholarships Application and the application specific to your major.
- Scholarship Universe will notify you when new matches are found.
- Log in through the secure portal to monitor application statuses, find additional opportunities, and manage submissions. Refer to the user instructions and tips provided in the portal if you need guidance.

Timeline (important dates)
- FAFSA opens: October 1, 2025
- Scholarship Universe opens: December 1, 2025
- Priority completion date: February 1, 2026
- CFAES priority deadline (including the 4‑H scholarship application): February 15, 2026

Required materials and information
Before you begin the 4-H scholarship application, have the following ready:
- Personal information (name, contact, etc.).
- High school GPA and class rank.
- List of academic honors and awards.
- If you are an admitted or prospective Ohio State student, your OSU username (lastname.#) and your OSU ID — these appear on your admission email/receipt.
- Details about your intended or current college/university (name, city, state).
- Your planned academic major.
- Full descriptions of your primary 4-H leadership positions, including role titles, years held, levels (club, county, state, etc.), main responsibilities, and notable achievements.
- Details about major 4-H honors you have received.
- A statement of your educational, career, or personal goals and how 4-H has influenced those goals.
- A personal statement explaining why receiving a 4-H scholarship is important for your college education and how 4-H has shaped your leadership, personal development, and prospects for success.

Follow these instructions and prepare the listed documents to ensure your application is complete and competitive. If you have questions, contact your county extension office or refer to the Scholarship Universe help resources.