New York State 4-H Opportunity Scholarship
Due Feb 15, 2012
The NYS 4-H Foundation and generous sponsors are pleased to provide scholarships to members for their accomplishments as a result of 4-H experiences, and to support future educational goals.
Scholarship Application procedures. Download the application and follow the instructions carefully.

Applications can be sent electronically as an attached file to esearle@nys4hfoundation.org or mailed to NYS 4-H Foundation, 248 Grant Ave., Suite II-A, Auburn, NY 13021. The application and all required materials are to be postmarked or date-stamped NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 15, 2012. Notification of scholarship awards will be made in June.

Please note that a Steuben County 4-H staff person must review and sign all scholarships applications that are submitted from Steuben County youth. If you applied last year or this is your first time, we encourage you to take the time to fill out the application forms.

Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated personal growth and development through 4-H projects and activities
• Held leadership roles in 4-H and other organizations
• Active in community or public service activities
• Sense of direction in future educational goals
• Academic record

• Applicant must be eligible for 4-H enrollment. Youth who have reached their nineteenth birthday before January 1, 2012 are not eligible to apply for scholarships.
• Applicant must have been a 4-H member in New York State, or participated in a Cornell Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program for at least one year.
• Applicant must be enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited university, college or technical school.
• Applicant must have a current grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale unless otherwise stated for specific scholarships.

Distribution procedures.
Awards will be distributed upon completion of the first semester of enrollment at the university, college or technical school. Prior to receiving the scholarship award, recipients will need to provide the NYS 4-H Foundation office:

• A collegiate or technical school academic transcript for the completed academic term showing a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or academic good standing on another scale.
• A copy of current term fee slip or other document that confirms continued enrollment at the university, college or technical school.

Announcement of Scholarship recipients will be at the NYS 4-H Career Explorations Program June 26-28, 2012.

USDA Offers Agriculture Loans for Youth age 10-20

Loan recipients may use money to buy livestock, equipment, and supplies; buy, rent, or repair needed tools and equipment; and pay operating expenses for running the project. A maximum of $5000 may be borrowed. Farm Service Agency (FSA) makes operating loans to individual rural youths to finance income-producing, agriculture-related projects of modest size in connection with their participation in 4-H clubs, Future Farmers of America, and similar organizations. Each project must be part of an organized and supervised program of work. The project must be planned and operated with the help of the organization advisor, produce sufficient income to repay the loan, and provide the youth with practical business and educational experience in agriculture-related skills. To apply or learn more about youth loans or other loan programs, contact your local USDA Service Center or contact the Steuben County Farm Service Agency at 776-7398 ext. 2 for more information.