Colorado 4H Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Colorado State University

Overview
Each year in late spring, Colorado 4‑H — through the Office of Engagement & Extension — awards scholarships to deserving 4‑H youth for the coming academic year. Award amounts vary and most scholarships are one‑time awards. Applicants are assessed and ranked by a scholarship committee based on the stated scholarship criteria and their 4‑H accomplishments. Most scholarships require at least 2–3 years of participation in 4‑H; individual awards list any additional participation requirements. The application period for the 2025 awards runs from November 1, 2024, through March 1, 2025. Recipients are expected to be announced around May 2025. Opportunities are available for a wide range of students — those heading to Colorado State University or other universities, trade or technical schools, community colleges, transfer students, and continuing students.

General eligibility notes
- Minimum 2–3 years of Colorado 4‑H participation is required for most scholarships (check each listing for any higher or more specific requirements).
- Some awards require proof of acceptance or enrollment in a college, university, or trade school.
- Select scholarships specify GPA minimums, field of study, geographic or county affiliation, or experience with particular project types.
- Where letters of recommendation or volunteer/service documentation are required, the individual scholarship description will note that requirement.

Available scholarships

Audrey Sandstead 4‑H Youth Scholarship — $1,000
- One $1,000 award for current or former Colorado 4‑H members who plan to begin their first year at Colorado State University in the fall. “First‑year” includes incoming freshmen or transfer students who will be completing their first year at CSU beginning this fall. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Betty Kimberling Memorial Scholarship — $1,000
- One $1,000 scholarship (one of four scholarships provided by the Kimberling family) awarded to a current upperclassperson in the College of Health and Human Sciences. Applicants must be former Colorado 4‑H members who have completed—or will have completed by the upcoming fall—their freshman year at CSU, maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and demonstrate volunteer service at CSU and/or in the community.

Bill & Barbara Holthaus 4‑H Youth Scholarship — $1,000 (three awards)
- Three $1,000 scholarships for exceptional 4‑H members planning to attend any four‑year college or university in Colorado. Applicants must be current or former Colorado 4‑H members with at least three years of 4‑H participation.

Charles & Margret Vezzetti Scholarship — $1,000
- A $1,000 award established for a Fremont County 4‑H member who intends to study agriculture at Colorado State University. Eligible applicants are high school seniors from Fremont County who have been accepted to CSU and plan to pursue a degree in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

CCI (Colorado Counties Inc.) Foundation Youth Scholarship — $500 (five awards)
- Five $500 scholarships for current or former Colorado 4‑H members who are high school seniors and will attend a Colorado trade school, college, or university. Applicants must show proof of acceptance to a Colorado institution. Two letters of recommendation are required; one may be from the county extension agent.

CSU Fort Collins 4‑H Freshman Award — $1,000 (25 awards)
- Twenty‑five $1,000 awards for high school seniors who are accepted to Colorado State University as degree‑seeking, on‑campus students. Applicants should have at least three years in the Colorado 4‑H program, with at least two of those years during high school. Leadership and service in 4‑H, the community, and the region will be considered.

CSU Fort Collins 4‑H Transfer Award — $1,000 (five awards)
- Five $1,000 awards for incoming transfer students who will be enrolled as degree‑seeking, on‑campus students at Colorado State University. Applicants must be accepted to CSU and have at least three years of participation in the Colorado 4‑H program (including at least two years in high school). Leadership and service in 4‑H, community, and region are considered.

Howard E. & Marjory M. Smith 4‑H Youth Scholarship — $1,000
- A $1,000 scholarship (provided annually) for an outstanding Colorado 4‑H high school senior. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Financial need will be taken into account.

Kimberling Family 4‑H Youth Scholarship — $1,000
- A $1,000 award from the Kimberling family for a Colorado 4‑H youth who has shown and exhibited food animal projects and is enrolling in a pre‑veterinary or animal science program at Colorado State University.

Kimberling Family 4‑H/FFA Youth Continuing Education Scholarship — $1,000
- A $1,000 scholarship for a current upperclass student in the College of Agricultural Sciences at CSU studying Animal Nutrition. Eligible applicants are former Colorado 4‑H and/or FFA members who have exhibited food animal projects.

Kimberling Family FFA Youth Scholarship — $1,000
- A $1,000 award for a Colorado FFA youth who has exhibited food animal projects and is enrolling in a pre‑veterinary or animal science program at Colorado State University.

Lowell & Verna Watts 4‑H Scholarship — $1,000
- A $1,000 scholarship to support a CSU student pursuing international study or experiential learning related to international development (study abroad, fieldwork, practicum, internships, research abroad, or similar opportunities). Applicants must have completed five or more years of 4‑H project work and be accepted to a relevant experiential learning program.

Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply 4‑H Youth Scholarship — $1,000 (five awards)
- Five $1,000 scholarships provided by Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply for Colorado 4‑H members planning post‑secondary education. Applicants must be high school seniors who are current or former 4‑H members, intend to enroll in an accredited college, university, or trade school the following fall, and have at least a 2.0 GPA.

Portouw Photography 4‑H Youth Scholarship — $1,000
- A $1,000 scholarship from Shirley J. Portouw and family for first‑year or continuing CSU students. Applicants must have participated in 4‑H photography projects for a minimum of three years and are preferred to have exhibited photography at the Colorado State Fair for at least two years. Recipients may apply for the Portouw scholarship a second time.

Questions or next steps
If you need help determining which scholarships you qualify for, want clarification on submission materials (letters of recommendation, transcripts, proof of acceptance), or need assistance with the application process, contact the Colorado 4‑H scholarship office within the Office of Engagement & Extension before the March 1, 2025 deadline.