4-H Scholarships

Gallatin 4-H Foundation Scholarships (County Level)

2026 Gallatin 4-H Foundation Scholarship Application Packet

The Gallatin County 4-H Foundation has worked to expand their scholarship offerings and are excited to have multiple scholarships available for various continuing education tracks. Additional scholarships may be awarded based on the merit of the application.

Enclosed in the Application Packet (and below) is information and criteria for each scholarship, along with the application packet. If you meet the criteria of more than one traditional 4-year degree scholarship, you may check multiple boxes on page 1 and submit only 1 scholarship packet. For the other post-secondary scholarships be sure to read and apply for the appropriate scholarship.

Pay attention to specific scholarship deadlines noted on the top of each scholarship description. Applications are to be submitted to the Extension Office no later than 5:00 pm on the appropriate deadline. Applications will be reviewed by the committee in late April and scholarship recipients will be announced in early May.

Frank & Vera Doney Scholarship $2000	Due: April 1st of the current year Purpose:    The Frank and Vera Doney Scholarship was established in December 2005. This scholarship is made possible through a generous donation by Ellis and Bette Doney, Robert and Kathy Doney, and Arleene Doney Weppler in memory of Frank and Vera Doney. Scholarship Award:  (1) scholarship in the amount of $2000. Scholarship Criteria:  Number of years of 4-H enrollment will be taken into consideration 4-H club membership is encouraged/preferred **Plan to study and an agricultural related major in higher education (including equine science and veterinary medicine). Must complete Gallatin 4-H Foundation Scholarship application paperwork  Evaluation Criteria:   Scholarship applications will be scored by rubric and reviewed by a committee appointed by the Gallatin County 4-H Foundation.   Announcement and Distribution of Funds:  The successful applicant(s) will receive funds for their 1st  semester of higher education. Funds will be mailed to the school directly once applicant provides registration of 1st  semester. Recipient will be notified by mail and/or email. Thank you letters must to be sent to: Ellis and Bette Doney             Robert and Kathy Doney                      Arleene Doney Weppler PO Box 92                                 836 15th Street                                      284 Rapelje Rd. Lavina, MT 59046                    Havre, MT 59501                                    Columbus, MT 59019 & Gallatin County 4-H Foundation, Inc. 903 N. Black Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715
Market Livestock Scholarship $2000	Due: April 1st of the current year Purpose:    The Gallatin Market Livestock Scholarship was established in 2020. This scholarship is made possible through donations and commission from the Gallatin 4-H Market Livestock Sale.  The scholarship is open to Gallatin County 4-H market livestock exhibitors graduating high school and attending a traditional 4-year college/university in any degree field. Scholarship Awards:  Up to two (2) scholarships in the amount of $2000 based on the merit of the application. Scholarship Criteria:  Number of years of 4-H enrollment will be taken into consideration Actively participated/sold in a 4-H market livestock project through high school (4 years) Must complete Gallatin 4-H Foundation Scholarship application paperwork  Evaluation Criteria:   Scholarship applications will be scored by rubric and reviewed by a committee appointed by the Gallatin County 4-H Foundation.   Announcement and Distribution of Funds:  The successful applicant(s) will receive funds for their 1st semester of higher education. Funds will be mailed to the school directly once applicant provides registration of 1st semester. Recipient will be notified by mail and/or email. Thank you letters must to be sent to: Gallatin County 4-H/FFA Market Livestock Committee 903 N. Black Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715  & Gallatin County 4-H Foundation, Inc. 903 N. Black Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715
Gallatin 4-H Foundation Scholarship - Traditional Track $2000	Due: April 1st of the current year Purpose:    This scholarship was established in 2016 by the Gallatin County 4-H Foundation Board of Directors to honor and support graduating seniors who have been active in 4-H during high school. The scholarship is open to all Gallatin County 4-H youth graduating high school and attending a traditional 4-year college/university in any degree field. Scholarship Awards:  Up to three (3) scholarships in the amount of $2000 each. Scholarship Criteria:  Number of years of 4-H enrollment will be taken into consideration   4-H club membership is encouraged/preferred Must complete Gallatin 4-H Foundation Scholarship application paperwork  Evaluation Criteria:   Scholarship applications will be scored by rubric and reviewed by a committee appointed by the Gallatin County 4-H Foundation.   Announcement and Distribution of Funds:  The successful applicant(s) will receive funds for their 2nd semester of higher education. Funds will be mailed to the school directly once applicant provides registration of 2nd semester. Recipient will be notified by mail and/or email. Thank you letters must to be sent to: Gallatin County 4-H Foundation, Inc. 903 N. Black Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715
Gallatin 4-H Foundation Scholarship - Non-Traditional Track $1000	Due: April 1st of the current year Purpose:    This scholarship was established in 2024 by the Gallatin County 4-H Foundation Board of Directors to support the diverse needs and interests of our graduating seniors. The scholarship is open to all Gallatin County 4-H youth graduating high school and pursuing a non-traditional post-secondary program. Examples include but are not limited to 2-year degrees, certifications, and professional licenses (welding certification, cosmetology school, EMT/Paramedic training, culinary school, dental/medical assistant). Scholarship Awards:  Up to three (3) scholarships in the amount of $1000 each. Scholarship Criteria:  Number of years of 4-H enrollment will be taken into consideration  4-H club membership is encouraged/preferred Must complete Gallatin 4-H Foundation Scholarship application paperwork  Evaluation Criteria:   Scholarship applications will be scored by rubric and reviewed by a committee appointed by the Gallatin County 4-H Foundation.   Announcement and Distribution of Funds:  The successful applicant(s) will receive funds upon proof of registration/enrollment in their program. Funds will be mailed to the school directly. Recipient will be notified by mail and/or email. Thank you letters must to be sent to: Gallatin County 4-H Foundation, Inc. 903 N. Black Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715
4-H Beyond Ready Scholarship - On-the-Job Training $1000	Due: August 1st of the current year Purpose:    This scholarship was established in 2024 by the Gallatin County 4-H Foundation Board of Directors to support the diverse needs and interests of our graduating seniors. The scholarship is open to all Gallatin County 4-H youth graduating high school who are pursuing employment through a vocational apprenticeship program. Examples include but are not limited to on-the-job training in construction, mechanics, electrical/journeymen, plumbing, or any other trade. Scholarship Award:  At least (1) scholarship in the amount of $1000. Scholarship Criteria:  Number of years of 4-H enrollment will be taken into consideration  4-H club membership is encouraged/preferred Must complete Gallatin 4-H Foundation Scholarship application paperwork  *Please note: This scholarship requires one (1) character letter of recommendation and one (1) letter of recommendation and confirmation of training program from direct employer. Evaluation Criteria:   Scholarship applications will be scored by rubric and reviewed by a committee appointed by the Gallatin County 4-H Foundation.   Announcement and Distribution of Funds:  The successful applicant(s) will receive funds upon proof of employment and training program. Applicant must specify where funds will need to be dispersed. Recipient will be notified by mail and/or email. Thank you letters must to be sent to: Gallatin County 4-H Foundation, Inc. 903 N. Black Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715

 

Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarships (State Level)

Applications are DUE by February 14th of the current year

The Montana 4-H Foundation is now accepting applications for scholarships. Graduating seniors and current college students are eligible. Make sure to read each individual scholarship to see the requirements. 

Transcripts and County Extension Agent Signature/recommendation form are required before submitting the application. Use the MT 4-H Scholarship Help Guide to help you prepare your information before starting your application.

2026 Montana 4-H Foundation Scholarship Page

Gallatin Beef Producers Association Scholarship

The Gallatin Beef Producers Association has made it their mission to provide opportunities and scholarships to local students in agriculture. Since 2007, they have provided over $87,000 to students and agriculture education efforts. Their Board of Directors recently formed their own scholarship committee to have more involvement in the scholarship selection process. They will award scholarship funds to one or more qualified students attending Montana State University for the 2026/2027 academic year in the amount of $2,500.

To apply please complete the application: 2026 GBP Scholarship Packet. Applicants will need to provide an essay and TWO letters of recommendation. Email applications and materials to gallatinbeefproducers@gmail.com - Application is DUE by April 1, 2026.

Gallatin Cattlewomen Scholarship

The Gallatin Cattlewomen wish to offer one or more $1,000 scholarships to a student (s) at MSU for the 2026/2027 academic year. The Gallatin Cattlewomen Scholarship selection criteria shall be as follows:

• Full time female student(s) who can provide documented enrollment in an Agriculture-related college field and in good standing at MSU. Applicants must have graduated high school and completed a minimum of one semester at MSU, and shall provide a transcript of that first semester (incoming college freshman are not eligible to apply). Dual enrollment does not qualify as full-time student status.
• Minimum GPA required is 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Student(s) can receive scholarship multiple years but must reapply each year.
• First preference to student(s) from the southwest Montana area (Gallatin, Park, Madison, Broadwater, Meagher, or Beaverhead counties). Second preference will be to a Montana student outside those counties.
• Preference will be given to a student who demonstrates a desire to continue to pursue a farming/ranching career in Montana.
• The recipient will be determined by a committee from the Gallatin Cattlewomen.
• Applicants must be active in any Agriculture-related organization.
• Scholarship recipients will be asked to attend and be recognized at the annual Beef Producers/Cattlewomen banquet in January 2027.

The scholarship recipient(s) will be decided annually by a committee of Gallatin Cattlewomen. Deadline for application is February 15, 2026. Applications may be submitted either hardcopy or electronically to the address listed on the application form. Scholarship monies will be disbursed to the recipient by the Gallatin Cattlewomen. Checks will be issued to the student recipient after proof of registration for fall semester, 2026, is received by the Scholarship Coordinator. 2026 Application Form

Sullivan Supply Scholarship

Each year, Sullivan Supply offers 20 scholarships of $1,000 each to youth displaying a great passion for the livestock show industry and/or livestock production. Applications are due March 15th each year, students can apply online starting January 1st, at www.sullivansupply.com

Apply here: Scholarshipapp Form

Candidate must be a graduating high school senior or college student 21 years of age or younger; resident of the U.S. or Canada, and not a previous Sullivan scholarship winner. An agriculture major or a career goal in livestock is not a requirement but a continued future involvement in the livestock industry is.

The scholarship is funded solely through Sullivan Supply Inc. The scholarship recipients will be selected by a committee of five industry leaders that will be kept confidential to promote objectivity. Members of the Sullivan family or Sullivan Supply employees or immediate family members will not serve on this committee nor will they be eligible to receive the scholarships. 

Application guidelines include the following:

• List or describe your school, community, 4-H and/or FFA involvement. 
• Describe your involvement and experience in showing and/or raising livestock, along with your future goals and career plans in an essay (no more than two typed pages).
• One letter of recommendation must accompany each application. – One only, please. (Please wait for your application number before submitting your recommendation letter. Please submit your LOR via the Recommendation Form Upload link that is below.)
• One high resolution head shot photo of the applicant. The applicant should be the only one in the image. Please submit in JPEG format. Please submit via online application only.

Central Valley Firefighters Scholarship

NILE Foundation Scholarships

The NILE Foundation was established in 2009 as a supporting arm of the NILE organization, which is dedicated to the promotion of livestock, agriculture education, and respect for the western culture. It is funded through generous donations and the NILE Foundation's annual fundraiser.

The NILE Foundation is now accepting applications for scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year. For over 30 years, the NILE (Northern International Livestock Exposition) has awarded scholarships to deserving FFA and 4-H students who have been leaders in their respective programs, excelled in the classroom, participated in NILE events and are actively involved in their communities.

Scholarships will be awarded and announced in April 2026. Similar to previous years, the NILE Scholarship Committee will be awarding five levels of scholarships:

• High School One Time Scholarship: Awarded to high school seniors and college students that meet the qualifications listed in the guidelines. 
• Rolling Scholarship: The rolling scholarships will be offered to a select group of High School Seniors who will have the opportunity to renew the scholarship yearly, up to four years of their secondary education. Recipients of rolling scholarships will be chosen from the pool of applicants that are current seniors in High School.
• Secondary One Time Scholarship: A one-time grant, for students already enrolled in College or a Vo-Tech school meeting the qualifications.
• Shining Star: All qualified applicants are eligible. This scholarship is for an applicant that stands out in the crowd.
• NILE Legacy Award: Offered to students that have been very active in various NILE events from the time they were young!
• Hugh F. Miller Memorial Scholarship: Created in memory of long time NILE Member, Hugh Miller. Two $500 scholarships will be awarded in his memory.
• Needle In The Haystack: This scholarship will be randomly drawn for during the NILE Foundation's Stetson and Stilettos Fundraiser to be held this spring. All scholarship applicants will be eligible and must be present to win.

Scholarship applications and guidelines can be found at www.thenile.org Applications must be received no later than March 1, 2026. No hard copies will be accepted; Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

Montana Seed Growers Association Scholarship

The Montana Seed Growers Association (MSGA) is proud to announce the annual MSGA Scholarship Program, 
supporting the next generation of agricultural leaders in Montana. This scholarship recognizes students who 
demonstrate a passion for seed production, plant science, or agricultural advancement, and who are committed to the success and sustainability of Montana’s agricultural community.
Deadline: 05/01/2026
Award Amount: $500 - $2,000

Eligibility requirements and application: MSGA 2026 Scholarship Forms

Gallatin Conservation District - John Venhuizen Scholarship

If you are interested in providing a scholarship to Gallatin 4-H youth, please contact the Extension Office to set up this opportunity.  It can be a one year opportunity or established for years to come!