4-H Scholarships
Michigan 4-H Foundation scholarship funds provide financial support for post-secondary education for 4-H members. Michigan 4-H scholarships can be established with annual donations, memorial gifts or endowment funds.
A variety of 4-H post-secondary scholarships are available to 4-H members. Eligibility and requirements varies by scholarship. Please note all scholarships may not be available every year.
Donate now to grow a 4-H scholarship fund!
Michigan 4-H Foundation Statewide Scholarships
The Michigan 4-H Foundation offers several scholarship opportunities open to Michigan 4-H members attending any college, university or trade school in Michigan.
- John A. Aylsworth 4-H Memorial Scholarship
Award amount: Two $2,000 scholarships, available for fall 2026. This is a one-time scholarship opportunity. - Carl J. Lesser 4-H Ag Scholarship
No disbursements available. Donate to help grow this fund! - Paul Wilkes and Family 4-H Scholarship
Award amount: Two $10,000 or three $7,000 scholarships will be awarded annually from 2026-2029.
MSU-Michigan 4-H Foundation Scholarships
The Michigan 4-H Foundation offers scholarships to attend Michigan State University. Applicants are selected from the MSU 4-H Youth Development Scholarship applicant pool. Applicants should apply for the MSU 4-H Youth Development Scholarship. There is no separate application process for these scholarships.
Current scholarships include:
- Michigan 4-H Foundation Scholarship
Award amount: $1,200 - Sigma Alpha Sorority 4-H Scholarship
Award amount: $1,200 - Lowell and Carol Spike Memorial 4-H Scholarship
Award amount: $1,200 - Silm Family 4-H Scholarship Endowment Fund
Award amount: $1,200
Project-Based 4-H Scholarships
The Michigan 4-H Foundation offers several scholarship opportunities for Michigan 4-H members participating in content-specific 4-H project areas.
- Norma Agnew Memorial 4-H Horse Judging Scholarship
Award amount: $500 to the top two Senior Individuals; $250 to the top Junior Regular Individual contestant at the Michigan 4-H Horse Judging Contest. - Michigan 4-H Rabbit & Cavy Scholarship
Award amount: $500
County-Specific 4-H Scholarships
To be eligible for the following post-secondary scholarships, the applicant must have been a 4-H member and/or resident of the county listed. Please contact the county MSU Extension office for individual scholarship applications, guidelines and full eligibility requirements.
- Barry County 4-H Scholarship Fund
- Benzie County: Melinda Klockziem Memorial Scholarship Fund
- Benzie, Grand Traverse or Leelanau County: Heather M. Barley 4-H Memorial Scholarship
- Calhoun County: Burrell E. Henry Memorial Scholarship
- Clinton County: Rolan and Bernice Sleight Memorial Scholarship
- Grand Traverse County: Andrew L. Olson Scholarship
- Houghton-Keweenaw 4-H Senior Scholarship Endowment
- Ingham County, horse: Chase Showmanship Sweepstakes
- Ingham County: Hannah L. Glair 4-H Memorial Service Award
- Ingham County: Larry C. Graham Memorial 4-H Scholarship (new for 2027)
- Ingham County: Earl W. and Suzanne Threadgould Award
- Isabella County: Marie Wagester Memorial 4-H Scholarship (new for 2027)
- Kalamazoo: Lee G. and K. Joanna Schwenk Scholarship (new for 2027)
- Kent County, dairy/animal science: Robert Kinsley 4-H Scholarship
- Mason County: Elmer and Rose Peterson Memorial 4-H Endowment
- Tuscola County: Gordon and Viola Bierlein Scholarship
- Washtenaw County: Ada May and Web Harwood 4-H Memorial Scholarship
- Washtenaw County/Adrian-area: Wayland Hart Memorial Dairy Scholarship
Additional scholarships may be available through local 4-H programs. Visit the Michigan 4-H Youth Development 4-H Scholarships page for more information.
To grow a 4-H scholarship fund, donate now:
For more information about funding new scholarship funds, contact:
Abbey Miller
Director, Michigan 4-H Foundation
Phone: (517) 353-4433
E-mail: abmiller@msu.edu
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4-H is an engaging and fun program where you can learn about animals, responsibility and so much more. There are a lot of activities and opportunities that I can do and have because of 4-H.
— Alice Long, Washtenaw County
Sponsor a Brick
Become a permanent part of the Michigan 4-H Children's Garden by sponsoring a brick! Bricks can be donated in your name; in honor of a family, friend or club; or in memory of loved ones. Learn more: Sponsor a brick!.