4-H Awards and Scholarships

Mississippi 4-H, through the Mississippi State University Foundation, encourages college-bound 4-H’ers to apply for 4-H awards and scholarships. This publication gives an overview of each award and scholarship. Read carefully because each award has its own eligibility criteria. Awards are granted through the MSU Extension Center for 4-H Youth Development office. For additional details and deadlines, please contact your local Extension office.

4-H Awards

Ike Campbell Memorial 4-H Award

Eligibility criteria:

• Be an active participant in 4-H for a minimum of two years
• Complete high school or start college work
• 2.5 GPA in high school (based on a 4.0 scale)
• Minimum of 18 on the ACT

Submission requirements:

• One official transcript (unopened/stamped)
• Three letters of recommendation (one must be from the Extension agent in charge of 4-H or a school official)
• Written summary of 4-H activities and experiences

Mississippi 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association Youth Award

Eligibility criteria:

• Be enrolled in 4-H in Mississippi
• 3.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale) or B average
• Minimum of 18 on the ACT

Submission requirements:

• Completed application
• Recommendation letter from a 4-H agent and a volunteer leader
• Written summary of 4-H activities and experiences

Deep South Equipment Dealers Association 4-H Award

Eligibility criteria:

• Be an active 4-H member for a minimum of two years
• Be enrolled as a full-time student at MSU in agriculture or agriculture-related studies
• Complete requirements for high school graduation or start college work
• Maintain a 2.5 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)
• Minimum of 18 on the ACT

Submission requirements:

• One official (unopened/stamped) school transcript
• Letter of recommendation from the Extension agent in charge of 4-H or a school official
• Written summary of 4-H activities and experiences

Gladiola Branscome Harris 4-H Award

Eligibility criteria:

• Be an active participant in 4-H in home economics (priority given to these areas: foods and nutrition, health, and personal development)
• Complete requirements for high school graduation or start college work
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)

Submission requirements:

• Official (unopened/stamped) transcript to verify grades from high school or college last attended
• Three letters of recommendation (one must be from the Extension agent in charge of 4-H or a school official)
• Written summary of 4-H activities and experiences

Marian Carmichael 4-H Award

Eligibility criteria:

• Be an active participant in 4-H for a minimum of two years with emphasis in youth leadership
• Complete requirements for high school graduation or start college work
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)

Submission requirements:

• Official (unopened/stamped) transcript to verify grades from high school or college last attended
• Three letters of recommendation (one must be from the Extension agent in charge of 4-H or a school official)
• Written summary of 4-H activities and experiences

The Troy and Mildred Holliday 4-H Award

Eligibility criteria:

• Be an active participant in 4-H for a minimum of two years in the area of citizenship
• Complete requirements for high school graduation or start college work
• Maintain a 2.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)

Submission requirements:

• Official (unopened/stamped) transcript to verify grades from high school or college last attended
• Three letters of recommendation (one must be from the Extension agent in charge of 4-H or a school official)
• Written summary of 4-H activities and experiences

Rennette L. Martin 4-H Endowed Award

Eligibility criteria:

• From Rankin County, Mississippi
• Past or current 4-H involvement
• Full-time undergraduate student at any Mississippi community college or university
• Minimum 2.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)

Mississippi Poultry Association 4-H Poultry Chain Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Senior participant in the 4-H Poultry Chain Project
• Compete at the Mississippi State Fair and win grand champion in your division
• Current Mississippi State University Poultry Science major

Mississippi 4-H Livestock and Horse Scholarships

Guidelines for scholarships awarded by groups outside of Mississippi 4-H are subject to change. Check the awarding organization’s guidelines for the most up-to-date information.

Dixie National Junior Round-Up Scholarships for High School Seniors

The Dixie National Sale of Junior Champions Promotion Committee presents scholarships to Mississippi 4-H and FFA youth who do not have a champion animal in the Sale of Junior Champions and did not receive the Supreme Animal or Premier Exhibitor scholarship. Applications are sent to all county MSU Extension offices and agriculture/vocational teachers by October each year.

Eligibility criteria:

• Graduating high school seniors exhibiting an animal (beef, dairy, sheep, swine, or goat) at the Dixie National Round-Up Livestock Show that year
• The animal must have qualified through its district livestock show

Submission requirements:

• Submit application to the Extension 4-H Livestock Specialist by the deadline on the application (typically December 1)

Mississippi Livestock Council Scholarship

The Mississippi Livestock Council awards one scholarship, selected from the Dixie National Junior Round-Up High School Senior scholarship applicants.

Premier Exhibitor Scholarships

The Premier Exhibitor contest is held during the Dixie National Junior Round-Up each year. The full list of rules can be found in each year’s Dixie National Junior Round-Up Premium Book. The winner of each species will receive a scholarship from the Sale of Junior Champions. An exhibitor may win in only one species per year, and in each species only one time.

Eligibility criteria:

• Senior-age 4-H and FFA youth
• Beef cattle, dairy cattle, lamb, swine, meat goat, and dairy goat exhibitors
• Must qualify an animal for the Dixie National Junior Round-Up and exhibit that animal

Supreme Animal Scholarships

Some shows at the Dixie National Junior Round-Up have Supreme Animal Scholarships. These shows are listed in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Premium Book each year.

Eligibility criteria:

• Owners of supreme champion animals at the Dixie National Junior Round-Up

Dixie National Booster Club Showmanship Scholarships

Eligibility criteria:

• Champion graduating high school senior winner in various showmanship contests at the Dixie National Junior Round-Up
• Place in the top 10 of your showmanship class
• Other stipulations on this scholarship can be found in the Dixie National Junior Round-Up Premium Book each year.

Mississippi 4-H Horse Club Scholarships

The Mississippi 4-H Horse Clubs Inc. sends applications to all county MSU Extension offices and agriculture/vocational teachers by October each year.

Eligibility criteria:

• Graduating high school seniors showing at the Mississippi 4-H Horse Championship

Submission requirements:

• Submit application to the Extension 4-H Livestock Specialist by the deadline on the application (typically December 1)
• Contact your Extension agent for other requirements.

MSU Scholarships

Students must apply for these scholarships online through the MSU Scholarship Portal.

4-H Academic Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Mississippi residents
• Entering freshmen who are active members in the 4-H Community Club
• Minimum of 20 on the ACT (940 SAT)
• 9th- to 11th-grade GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)

Submission requirements:

• Submit a letter of verification from your county’s 4-H representative or the state 4-H office to verify your participation.

Outstanding 4-H Member Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Entering freshmen who have been named their county’s Outstanding 4-H Member by the county representative
• Minimum of 20 on the ACT (940 SAT)
• 9th- to 11th-grade GPA of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale)
• Mississippi resident
• Active member in the county 4-H Community Club

Submission requirements:

• Provide the name and email address of your county’s 4-H representative to verify your status as an Outstanding 4-H Member.

The J.K. Morgan 4-H Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Full-time Mississippi State University student
• Active 4-H member for a minimum of two years
• Demonstrate academic achievement, leadership ability, good moral character, and financial need
• Minimum 3.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)

Submission requirements:

• Official (unopened/stamped) transcript to verify grades from the college or university last attended
• Three letters of recommendation (one must be from the Extension agent in charge of 4-H or a school official
• Written summary of 4-H activities and experiences

Dr. James R. Carpenter Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Child of an active or retired Mississippi State University Extension Service employee
• Full-time student
• 2.5 GPA or higher

Powell-Gray 4-H Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Full-time undergraduate students at Mississippi State University
• Outstanding Mississippi 4-H’er who completed three or more years of 4-H work
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• Demonstrate leadership and financial need

Harry Martin 4-H Youth Leadership Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Full-time undergraduate student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences or College of Forest Resources
• Current or former 4-H member
• Minimum 3.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale)
• Good moral character
• Demonstrate leadership ability and financial need
• Preference given to students from Lee County, Mississippi
• Next preference given to students from Chickasaw, Itawamba, Monroe, Pontotoc, Prentiss, or Union Counties.

Saum Family Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Full-time junior or senior in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (preference to Horticulture or Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications majors); Department of Communications in the College of Arts and Sciences; or Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture in the College of Forest Resources.
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Current or former 4-H club member

Mississippi Homemaker Volunteers Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Student at Mississippi State University with ties to the MSU Extension Service

Roy and Helen Doss Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Mississippi State University student in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences or College of Forest Resources
• Minimum 2.75 GPA (based on a 3.0 scale)
• Demonstrated financial need

Preference will be given to students in the following categories:

• Current or former active 4-H members
• Employed at least part-time
• Expressed interest in becoming Extension agents
• Expressed interest in home economics, conducting agricultural research, or teaching agriculture

Extension Memorial and Honorary Endowed Scholarship

Eligibility criteria:

• Student at Mississippi State University with ties to the MSU Extension Service

Marilynn Purdie Endowment

Eligibility criteria:

• Full-time undergraduate students enrolled at Mississippi State University
• Minimum 2.0 GPA
• Have good moral character
• Demonstrate leadership ability and financial need
• Entering freshmen or returning graduate or undergraduate students who are the single head of household

Congressional Award Medal Scholarships

The United States Congress gives Congressional Award Medals to young Americans between the ages of 14 and 24. The awards are non-partisan, voluntary, and non-competitive. Participants can earn bronze, silver, and gold certificates and medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas: voluntary public service, personal development, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration.

Congressional Gold Medal Scholarship ($1000)

To receive a Gold Medal, participants must complete 400 hours of voluntary public service, 200 hours of personal development, 200 hours of physical fitness, and a five-day, four-night trip for expedition/exploration.

Eligibility criteria:

• Entering freshmen who are Congressional Gold Medal recipients

Submission requirements:

• Provide the name and email address of your Congressional Award state representative to verify your status as a recipient. The letter must include the level obtained and the date received.

Congressional Silver Medal Scholarship: ($750)

To receive a Silver Medal, participants must complete 200 hours of voluntary public service, 100 hours of personal development, 100 hours of physical fitness, and a three-day, two-night trip for expedition/exploration.

Eligibility criteria:

• Entering freshmen who are Congressional Silver Medal recipients

Submission requirements:

• Provide the name and email address of your Congressional Award state representative to verify your status as a recipient. The letter must include the level obtained and the date received.

Congressional Bronze Medal Scholarship: ($500)

To receive a Bronze Medal, participants must complete 100 hours of voluntary public service, 50 hours of personal development, 50 hours of physical fitness, and a two-day, one-night trip for expedition/exploration.

Eligibility criteria:

• Entering freshmen who are Congressional Bronze Medal recipients

Submission requirements:

• Provide the name and email address of your Congressional Award state representative to verify your status as a recipient. The letter must include the level obtained and the date received.

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Publication 3906 (POD-06-23)

By Mariah S. Morgan, PhD, Associate Extension Professor, and Michelle Petrowski, student, Center for 4-H Youth Development.