Hillsborough County
4-H Youth Foundation
Scholarship Program

Over the years the Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Foundation has financially supported the Hillsborough County 4-H members, leaders, and volunteers. We offer a variety of programs designed to reward and recognize outstanding 4-H members.

Achievement Awards

Awards are presented based on the accomplishments of the children participating in the 4-H program.

Foundation Award

Each year, two senior 4-H members in Hillsborough County are awarded their choice of attending either 4-H Legislature or 4-H Congress with paid registration. The Foundation will collaborate with the 4-H extension office in determining the recipients.

Grant Programs

The Grant program is designed to assist Hillsborough County 4-H club members, leaders and volunteers attend 4-H county, state, regional and international events and other educational opportunities.

Educational Scholarships

Educational scholarships are awarded to outstanding 4-H members who excelled in their 4-H project and program. The Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Foundation’s Scholarship program offers multiple educational scholarships to assist applicants in accomplishing their higher education goals.

Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Foundation’s member Grant

Eligibility

All active Hillsborough County 4-H members ages 8-18 who are enrolled in the Hillsborough County 4-H program and are in good standing with their Hillsborough County 4-H club are eligible to apply for a grant. Applicants should be actively exhibiting or competing in their 4-H project area(s) and should have volunteered in 4-H community service projects during the current 4-H year.*

Applicants must follow all grant program rules and submit their application within the required deadline. Parents can assist with filling out the application.

Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Foundation’s Leader or Volunteer Grant

Funds awarded are to be used to defray the cost of 4-H leaders or volunteers working with 4-H members who travel to a 4-H event, competition, or activity such as: county, state, regional or national 4-H shows, 4-H judging teams and other competitions, 4-H camps and training events, 4-H Legislature, 4-H University, SE Dairy Retreat, Rock Eagle and more. Funding will be awarded as determined by the Hillsborough County 4-H Foundation’s Grants & Scholarships Committee.

Eligibility

Active Hillsborough County 4-H leaders or volunteers who are involved in the Hillsborough County 4-H program and are assisting Hillsborough County 4-H Club members with expenses to attend 4-H events are eligible to apply for a grant. Applicants can also apply for assistance for themselves to attend educational events such as Rock Eagle to improve their leadership skills.

Applicants must follow all grant program rules and submit their application within the required deadline.

Eileen Hart Horticulture Mini Grant Program

This grant program is designed to encourage 4-H club members’ interest in the areas of horticulture, forestry-ecology, forestry, or related programs. 4-H members and leaders can apply for a Mini Grant to help fund a specific horticulture project, such as a community garden.

Eligibility

1. You must be an active and approved Hillsborough County 4-H Club, leader, or member

2. In addition to completing this Cover Page form, you must also submit an essay that briefly explains your club or individual 4-H year’s horticulture or forest ecology project plan to participate in with educational goals. Please give estimated expenses when possible.

3. Project completion report: Mini Grant recipients are required to email a grant completion report with photos to the Grants & Scholarships Committee within six (6) months of receiving your grant.

Scholarship Programs

Educational scholarships are awarded to outstanding 4-H members who excelled in their 4-H project and program. The Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Foundation’s Scholarship program offers multiple educational scholarships to assist applicants in accomplishing their higher education goals.

Hillsborough County 4-H Foundation Youth Excellence Scholarship

This $1,000 academic scholarship will be awarded to an outstanding Hillsborough County 4-H member. Applicants must apply through the State 4-H Headquarters between April 1 and June 1. 4-H youth will compete for this scholarship through an application and portfolio process. This scholarship was provided through the Hillsborough County 4-H Foundation Youth Excellence Endowment.

Eligibility

Current 4-H members (Junior or Senior in High School) or 4-H alumni (enrolled in first three (3) years of post-secondary education) are eligible. Support may be applied to any field of study at an accredited college, university, or technical training program. Recipients must have been involved in 4-H for at least two years, volunteered in 4-H community service, and excelled in their primary projects.

This award may be granted up to two (2) times to the same individual.

Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Foundation Memorial Scholarship

This is a $1,000 academic scholarship offered annually in memory of previous Board members and supporters of the Hillsborough County 4-H Foundation. This scholarship is open to Hillsborough County 4-H members actively pursuing higher education at a college, university, or technical school.

Eligibility

High School Seniors will be considered for this scholarship, and they must be currently enrolled in a Hillsborough County 4-H Club. Applicants who are Hillsborough County 4-H Alumni must be a currently enrolled in an accredited college, university or technical school at the time the application is submitted.

Applicants must have been enrolled for at least two (2) years in the Hillsborough County 4-H program and should have actively participated and exhibited their 4-H project in county, area, or state competitions. Applicants should have volunteered in 4-H community service projects; highly preferred are Foundation fundraisers such as the Strawberry U-Pick.

The Eileen Hart Memorial 4-H Scholarship

The Eileen Hart Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 academic scholarship offered annually in memory of Eileen Hart who was a 4-H Leader, Master Gardener, member of the Hillsborough County 4-H Youth Foundation Board and much more. NOTE: This scholarship is ONLY for those studying to go into the horticulture, forestry, or environmental science field.

Eligibility

High School Seniors will be considered for this scholarship, and they must be currently enrolled in a Hillsborough County 4-H Club. Applicants who are Hillsborough County 4-H Alumni must be currently enrolled in an accredited college, university, technical or vocational school at the time the application is submitted.

Applicants must have been enrolled for at least two (2) years in the Hillsborough County 4-H program and should have actively participated and exhibited in a 4-H horticulture or forest ecology project. Applicants should have volunteered in 4-H community service projects; highly preferred are Foundation fundraisers such as the Strawberry U-Pick.