By Judy Ratkos

Michigan 4-Hers who are currently high school seniors and applying as freshman for a four-year degree program at Michigan State University are eligible to apply for a MSU 4-H scholarship which provides one-quarter annual tuition for four successive years of full-time study at MSU (estimated value is approximately $8,000 each). Six annual recipients are selected based on 4-H involvement, achievements, leadership, service and academic excellence. In September, 4-H members across the state who are high school seniors will receive an application form and other 4-H scholarship information directly from MSU. To be considered, applicants must apply for MSU admission by November 1 and submit their MSU 4-H scholarship application to their local county 4-H staff by October 15, 2005. County 4-H staff will then complete the staff section and forward it to the Office of MSU Admissions and Scholarships by no later than November 1, 2005. Alternates to the MSU 4-H scholarship will be considered for other scholarship awards made possible by donors to the Michigan 4-H Foundation. Selections for the MSU 4-H scholarship and the Michigan 4-H Foundation scholarships will be made before the end of 2005.

Eighth-graders who attended a 2005 MSU pre-college summer program (such as 4-H Exploration Days or 4-H Great Lakes & Natural Resources Camp) can apply for a $2,000 Pre-college Achievement Scholarship (PAS). The PAS will be applied toward the student’s first year at MSU as a degree-seeking student. Scholarship recipients are not guaranteed admission to MSU and are expected to meet admission requirements upon MSU application.

County 4-H staff members are urged to invite students to apply for this scholarship after their participation in a pre-college program. (Because more than 400 eighth-graders attended Exploration Days in 2005, each county is limited to no more than three nominees from their Exploration Days participants.) Students applying must complete a Nominee’s Data Form and Personal Essay Form and submit the county 4-H staff member/program director nomination form, a teacher letter of recommendation form, an academic release form, and a seventh-grade transcript or report card. The application deadline is in mid-October.

For applications and more information on these and other 4-H scholarships, please visit http://web1.msue.msu.edu/cyf/youth/scholar.html.