4-H scholarships benefit members and volunteers

Michelle Neff<hydemich@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Updated from an original article written by Barbara Duvall.

Use these questions to work through establishing scholarships in your 4-H program.

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Image by 3D Animation Production Company from Pixabay

When a county council raises funds to establish a new 4-H scholarship, both members and volunteers benefit. The process of creating such an opportunity often sparks meaningful discussion among council members, allowing them to reflect on priorities, identify what they want to support, and clarify expectations for recipients. It is also essential that this work be guided by established regulations, carried out with transparency, and grounded in clearly defined goals—ensuring the scholarship is fair, impactful, and sustainable for the future. This discussion can be influenced by several factors including local tradition, funds available and the wishes of the donors.

The following questions, provided by Michigan State University Extension, are designed to help guide the committee in the process of establishing a county 4-H scholarship. Working through these considerations not only supports thoughtful decision-making but also helps ensure transparency, clear expectations, and financial accountability throughout the process.

  1. Who is eligible for the scholarship – 4-H members, volunteers or both?
  2. Is the scholarship for a specific event, program, experience or post-secondary education? If so, what will happen to the scholarship if that event, program or experience no longer exists?
  3. Do participants need to apply or is the scholarship given automatically?
  4. Does the scholarship reduce the cost of the event, thus making it more affordable for all participants? Or, is the scholarship provided to an individual as an award? Or, is it provided based on financial need?
  5. Is the amount of the scholarship established or does the amount vary? If the latter, under what conditions would the amount vary?
  6. What happens if the initial scholarship fund or source of funding is depleted? Does the scholarship continue or will it cease to exist?
  7. Can the scholarship fund the full event fee? Or is there an expectation that the participant contribute some amount? If the latter, is it a flat amount or a percentage of the event fee?
  8. Is there a limit on the number of times one person can receive the scholarship in a year? In their 4-H career?
  9. Is the recipient expected to do anything following their participation in the experience?
  10. What is the process to apply? When is the deadline to apply?
  11. How is the scholarship advertised, so that all who are eligible know of its existence and how to apply?
  12. Who serves on the selection committee?
  13. Does the money get sent to the event coordinator on behalf of the participant or is the scholarship recipient expected to pay up front and be reimbursed the scholarship amount after the event?
  14. What happens if the recipient doesn’t attend the event for which the scholarship was provided? Who covers the cancelation/no show fee?

A unique situation is presented when a generous donor contacts the 4-H council wanting to create a scholarship for a particular event or in the name of a loved one. It is important to know that IRS guidelines require that a donor and their relatives comprise less than 50 percent of a scholarship selection committee. This guideline is in place to ensure that, if the funds are a donation, the donor is not in control of how the funds are expended. Any board or selection committee member who has a family member applying for a scholarship must recuse themselves from the selection process.

There are various ways a donor can make a gift to create a 4-H scholarship fund. The Michigan 4-H Foundation can assist donors in establishing a 4-H scholarship fund or by creating an endowment to fund the scholarship in perpetuity.

Regardless of the kind of scholarship established, it is important that there is a clear written policy to ensure that access is open to all and there is a documented process for who is eligible, how recipients are selected and how the funds are distributed. This information must be available to anyone upon request. This ensures transparency in each step of the process.

Michigan 4-H Youth Development offers numerous opportunities for young people to participate in educational events, activities and experiences. A scholarship provided by the county 4-H council can help ensure that the opportunity is truly available to all. Contact your local MSU Extension office or the Michigan 4-H Foundation if you are interested in creating a scholarship to help youth in your community.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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