Michigan 4-H Youth Development


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4-H Youth Development Michigan State University 160 Agriculture Hall East Lansing, MI 48824-1039 USA Phone: 517-432-7575 Fax: 517-355-6748 Email: msue4h@msu.edu Disclaimer & Indicia

Frequently Asked Questions About the Michigan 4-H Youth Participation Fee

Fee Scholarships

What if a family can’t afford the fee?
4-H will not turn away any youth who wants to participate in 4-H for whom the fee presents a financial burden. Based on recommendations from club leadership, county 4-H educators determine which youth are eligible to have the fee covered by a scholarship. Eligibility for free or reduced school lunch might be one guideline used in determining who receives a fee scholarship.

When families with three or more youth participants request a fee scholarship, does the county need to provide $10 scholarships for each youth participant or a $30 scholarship for the family?
The county provides a $30 scholarship for the family, which covers the out-of-pocket maximum of $30 per family for 4-H annual participation.

Is there blanket criteria for the scholarship funds?
No, each county sets their own criteria for granting fee scholarships.

How can we obtain the free or reduced lunch documentation?
Free or reduced lunch information is gathered by school districts and is confidential. If your county bases receipt of fee scholarships on eligibility for free or reduced lunch, use version 2 of the 4-H Member & Volunteer Information Forms provided on the fee page and simply ask enrolling participants to check the appropriate line in the fee box on the form if they are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Is documentation needed for each fee that is supported by a scholarship?
On your county form, indicate the number of youth eligible for a fee scholarship based on whatever method of eligibility used in your county. You are not required to provide individual documentation for each participant granted a fee scholarship. However, counties with unusually high fee scholarship numbers may have their fee scholarship procedures reviewed by someone from the state 4-H office.

Are there guidelines to determine eligibility for fee scholarships?
Each county sets their own guidelines. Some choose to use free/reduced lunch eligibility as their guideline, others have families request a fee scholarship, still others rely on club leaders to recommend families for fee scholarships. Some counties use a combination of these approaches or have something entirely different. Whatever method a county chooses should be as noninvasive as possible for the comfort and privacy of our 4-H families.

Where can the county obtain funds to cover the scholarships?
There are many options. Counties may look at fundraising or sponsorship at both the club and county levels. Local businesses or service organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis or Lions Clubs may offer scholarships if approached. Counties may find opportunities to apply for grants from local, state and even national sources. Clubs may decide to hold car washes, bake sales, rummage sales, etc. in order to cover fees for all club members. Some counties may receive funds from their 4-H council. Be creative and share your successful ideas with other counties! If all efforts to raise the money at the county level are unsuccessful, counties may apply to the 4-H Foundation or the state 4-H office for some financial assistance for fee scholarships.

Is there a procedure counties follow to raise the funds to cover fee scholarships?
Counties first try to raise the funds locally, through sponsors, fundraisers, grants and donations. If additional funds are needed, the county contacts the 4-H Foundation next. If the amount needed for fee scholarships exceeds what can be raised locally and covered by the 4-H Foundation, only then do counties contact Cheri Booth at the state 4-H office to talk about additional ways to cover fee scholarships.

What if a youth doesn’t enroll because his/her family is reluctant to ask for a scholarship?
First, every effort is made to ensure that all families know that no child will be turned away from 4-H because of inability to pay the participation fee. Second, information about who has requested, is eligible for or has received a fee scholarship is kept confidential. Third, the process by which a county determines fee scholarship eligibility is as discreet and noninvasive as possible. When those three steps have been taken and a family is still hesitant about enrolling, the club leader or the Extension 4-H educator may choose to offer the family a fee scholarship. The 4-H educator or club leader may look for ways to involve the family in volunteer projects so that they feel they have made a significant contribution to their child’s 4-H club.

Michigan 4-H Youth Participation Fee Information FAQ's :