Scholarships

Scholarships are gifts. They don't need to be repaid. There are thousands of them, offered by schools, employers, individuals, private companies, nonprofits, communities, religious groups, and professional and social organizations.

You can learn about scholarships in several ways, including contacting the financial aid office at the school you plan to attend and checking information in a public library or online. But be careful. Make sure scholarship information and offers you receive are legitimate, and remember that you don't have to pay to find scholarships or other financial aid.

Scholarships cover a variety of student needs, including high school seniors heading to traditional four-year universities, community colleges or technical schools. Scholarships are also available for students graduating from 2-year programs and transferring to 4-year schools.

Area Scholarships:

State/National Scholarships:

Dane G. Hansen Foundation
- Awards approximately 280 new scholarships every year. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded approximately $22 million to more than 6,000 students from NW Kansas.
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship
- Eligibility:
  - US Citizen (permanent legal resident status doesn't qualify)
  - Current high school senior or the equivalent (cannot be a recent graduate)
  - Need to have a relative that's a member of Elks
Kansas Masonic Foundation Scholarship
- KMF scholarships provide millions of dollars in support of Kansas students. Since 1970, the KMF has provided scholarships to university-bound students throughout the state, with nearly $4 million distributed so far.

2026-2027 State 4-H Scholarship Recipients

Kierra E. Recipient of the June Beaver 4-H Scholarship

Christian M. Recipient of the Ronald W. Schmutz Memorial Scholarship

These scholarships recognize youth who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, citizenship, project learning, and community impact throughout their 4-H journey. Through hands-on experiences and opportunities in Kansas 4-H, these young leaders have built the skills needed to succeed in college, careers, and life.

Their achievements reflect the heart of the Kansas 4-H “Beyond Ready” mission—preparing youth with confidence, character, and competence to lead in a changing world.

Congratulations, Christian and Kierra! Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to growth truly set your applications apart during the Kansas 4-H selection process.

You can also try these free sources of information about scholarships:

College or career school financial aid officer
High school or TRIO counselor
Employer or your parents’ employers
Ethnicity-based organizations
Federal agencies
Foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
Library reference section
Organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
State grant agency
U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool

Additional information is available at:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships

Raine Bradshaw

4-H Youth Development Agent
309 S. Fossil
Russell, KS 67665
785-483-3157
rainek@ksu.edu