2026 Wisconsin 4-H Scholarships
Application Process
Wisconsin 4-H will award more than $20,000 in scholarships from established donor funds to outstanding Wisconsin 4-H members and alumni pursuing higher education this year. Wisconsin 4-H Scholarships are awarded to students based on demonstrated personal growth through 4-H, development and leadership in 4-H, academic performance, and future educational goals.
Timeline
- Applications open January 1.
- Must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on March 1.
- Award notifications will be announced by mid-May.
Scholarship Eligibility
To be eligible for any Wisconsin 4-H Scholarship, students must have been a Wisconsin 4-H member for at least three years, have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and be enrolled or planning to enroll at a university, college, or technical school during the following academic school year. Previous scholarship winners are not eligible to receive a second Wisconsin 4-H Scholarship.
Application Instructions
Applicants will submit an online application form and upload a cover letter and résumé as a combined PDF and select all scholarship opportunities that they qualify for. The documents will provide 4-H youth a chance to share their 4-H achievements and future plans. The review committee will be looking for how applicants specifically address the criteria below.
Cover Letter
Cover letters should not exceed one page, with no less than 3/4–inch margins and type no smaller than 10 points.
Applicants’ letters will be evaluated based on their answers to the following:
- Briefly describe your 4-H experience.
- How has 4-H made an impact on your life?
- How will you be using lessons learned in 4-H as you move on to higher education and a career?
- Demonstrate that you understand what scholarship(s) you are applying for and that you meet the scholarship criteria (if applicable).
Résumé
Résumés should not exceed one page, with no less than 3/4–inch margins and type no smaller than 10 points.
Résumés should resemble professional résumés. Applicants should be sure to include a brief list of 4-H projects and activities that were most influential to them. Examples of résumé categories may include, but are not limited to:
- Educational Experience
- Leadership Experience
- Work Experience
- Volunteer Experience
- 4-H Projects and Activities (required)
- Activities Outside of 4-H
- Career Objectives
- Additional Skills
- Awards and Honors
- Projects
Scholarship Criteria
The individual scholarship funds each have their own criteria for selection. Please review those scholarship details and, during submission, select all funds that you qualify for or wish to apply to in the online form.
Betty Krueger Memorial 4-H Scholarship
The recipient of this scholarship must have been a 4-H member for a minimum of five years. They must attend a college or university in Wisconsin and intend to major in Agriculture, Family Studies, or a directly related field.
Elizabeth Salter-Eby 4-H Scholarship
The recipient of this scholarship must be currently enrolled in a 4-H youth leadership project, must attend a University of Wisconsin campus, and must intend to major in Family and Consumer Sciences or a directly related field.
Francis A. and Phyllis S. Conrad 4-H Scholarship
The recipient of this scholarship must demonstrate commitment to community service and attend a technical college or university in Wisconsin.
Culver’s 4-H Scholarship
This scholarship does not have further criteria.
Gwen Wilson Memorial Scholarship
The recipient of this scholarship must be a resident of Shawano County, must have been an active 4-H member for a minimum of seven years, and must have completed at least one semester at an accredited university, college, or technical college.
Oscar G. and Mary M. Woelfel 4-H Scholarship
The recipient of this scholarship must be a current freshman, sophomore, or junior in The University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture at any UW campus. The student must be from a rural community and must have maintained a grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
T. L. Bewick Scholarship
The recipient of this scholarship must have demonstrated need, show interest in 4-H through event participation and club leadership, and be pursuing a degree in Wisconsin from a two- or four-year institution.
For further questions, please email Development & Finance Assistant Simon Harty at simon.harty@wisc.edu.
This page is optimized for printing
