4-H Scholarships
Funding the future of Colorado 4-H youth
Each year, Colorado 4-H and the Colorado 4-H Foundation offer scholarship opportunities to support members in pursuing higher education and career goals. These awards recognize the hard work, leadership, and dedication that youth demonstrate through their 4-H experiences.
All scholarship applications are reviewed by a statewide committee of 4-H professionals and volunteers. Applications open each winter and award notifications are sent via email in late spring.
Who can apply?
Colorado 4-H scholarships support dedicated members who have demonstrated leadership, growth, and commitment through their 4-H experience. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Must be a current or former Colorado 4-H member.
- Minimum three years of participation in 4-H (some scholarships accept two years of high school membership) .
- Open to students attending a college, university, community college, or trade school.
Available 4-H scholarships
Amount awarded: $1000
Number available: 1
This scholarship of $1,000 is for current/former Colorado 4-H members planning to enroll as first-year students in the fall at Colorado State University. A first-year student can be defined as an incoming freshman or as a transfer student who will be completing their first year at CSU starting this fall. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in the College of Health and Human Sciences.
Amount awarded: $1000
Number available: 3
Three $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to outstanding 4-H members. The scholarships will be used to attend any four-year college or university in Colorado. Applicants must be former/current Colorado 4-H members with a minimum of 3 years of participation.
Amount awarded: $1000
Number available: 1
Charles and Margret Vezzetti have established a fund to provide a $1,000 scholarship for a Fremont County 4-H member to study agriculture at Colorado State University. Applicants must be high school seniors, Fremont County 4-H members, accepted at Colorado State University, and pursuing a degree in the College of Agricultural Sciences.
Amount awarded: $500
Number available: 5
These $500 scholarships go to five current/former Colorado 4-H members who are high school seniors and will be attending a Colorado trade school, college, or university. Applicant must be a Colorado 4-H member and show proof of acceptance into a Colorado trade school, college, or university. Two letters of recommendation are required (one can be from your county extension agent).
Amount awarded: $1000
Number available: 25
The Colorado State University, Fort Collins, 4-H Freshman Award is awarded to high school seniors enrolled in the fall of 2025 as a degree seeking student in an on-campus program of study at Colorado State University. Applicants must be accepted into Colorado State University and have at least three years in the Colorado 4-H program (at least two years in high school). Leadership and/or service in 4-H, community, region will be considered. Colorado State University is providing 25 $1,000 awards
Amount awarded: $1000
Number available: 5
The Colorado State University, Fort Collins, transfer Award is awarded to newly incoming transfer students enrolled in the fall of 2025 as a degree seeking student in an on-campus program of study at Colorado State University. Applicants must be accepted into Colorado State University and have at least three years in the Colorado 4-H program (at least two years in high school). Leadership and/or service in 4-H, community, region will be considered. Colorado State University is providing five $1000 awards.
Amount awarded: $1000
Number available: 1
Howard and Marjory Smith (longtime supporters of the Colorado 4-H program) established a scholarship to help defray college tuition costs for an outstanding Colorado 4-H high school senior. The scholarship provides $1,000 per year. Applicants must be high school seniors and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Financial need will be considered.
Amount awarded: $1000
Number available: 1
This is one of three $1,000 Scholarship provided by the Kimberling family for a Colorado 4-H youth who has exhibited food animal projects and is enrolling in a pre-veterinarian or animal science program at Colorado State University.
Amount awarded: $1000
Number available: 1
This is a $1,000 Scholarship provided by Lowell & Verna Watts for a CSU student wishing to further their education abroad in the forms of study, fieldwork, practicum, internships, research abroad or other experiential learning which advances a student’s academic and professional aspirations related to international development. Applicants must have completed 5 or more years of 4-H project work and be accepted to a program or experiential learning opportunity related to international development.
Amount awarded: $1000
Number available: 5
Murdoch’s Ranch and Home Supply Company provides five $1,000 Scholarships to five Colorado 4-Hmembers wanting to pursue post-secondary education. Applicant must be a senior in high school, a current/former 4-H member, plan on attending an accredited college, university, or trade school in the Fall semester, and have a 2.0 GPA.
Amount awarded: $1000
Number available: 1
This scholarship of $1000 is provided by Shirley J. Portouw and her family. Applicants may be first-year or continuing students Colorado State University, must have been enrolled in and completed 4-H photography projects for at least three years, and preferably exhibited photography at the Colorado State Fair for at least two years. Recipients may re-apply for the Portouw scholarship a second time.
How to apply
- Access the Application Portal
- Visit the Colorado 4-H Scholarship Application Portal.
- Click Sign In and use your existing login credentials, or create a new account if this is your first time applying.
- Complete the General Application
- You’ll be automatically matched with scholarships you’re eligible for based on your responses.
- Submit Supplemental Materials
- Some scholarships require additional questions or documents—complete any that appear under your “Recommended Opportunities.”
- All Colorado 4-H scholarships require two letters of reference.
- After You Apply
- You’ll receive a confirmation email once your application is submitted successfully.
- Scholarship recipients are notified by email in late spring.
Application portal support
The Colorado 4-H Scholarship Application is provided through AcademicWorks. While this is the same platform used by CSU and other institutions, you will need to create a different account for the Colorado 4-H application and are not required to have a student ID number for your institution to do so.
You may receive e-mails from AcademicWorks if you are selected for a scholarship or need to provide additional information for a scholarship opportunity. For letters of recommendation, you are asked to provide an e-mail address of a reference. To ensure proper e-mail delivery, please add no-reply@academicworks.com to spam filters.
Technical or application questions?
If you encounter any issues while applying, contact the scholarship team.
Other scholarship opportunities
Lincoln Leader Scholars
The Lincoln Leader Scholars program honors outstanding student leaders and provides financial assistance, resources, mentorship, and connections to help them excel during college and beyond.
Regional Scholarships
These region-specific scholarships provide meaningful financial support for Colorado students and families, helping them turn their college goals into reality no matter where they live in the state.