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Scholarship Opportunities

The NJHA, Hereford Youth Foundation of America and National Hereford Women partner to provide scholarships to outstanding NJHA members to assist in their educational endeavors. The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) scholarship program is designed to provide recognition for outstanding members of the National Junior Hereford Association. Its purpose is to encourage individual and cooperative effort, enthusiasm, excellence, leadership, academic success and achievement among youth and to develop successful individuals as good leaders for both the Hereford breed and the beef industry.

HYFA Scholarships & More

Fall Scholarship Application

“HYFA and the NJHA played enormous roles in my life. Aside from the financial impacts the HYFA scholarships had on my school career, they opened many doors, helped me make industry connections and allowed me to be in the position I am today.”

–Hannah (Williams) Grund, 2018-2020 HYFA Scholarship Recipient

“With the help of scholarships like this, I received a B.S. and M.S. in animal science and plant and soil sciences from Oklahoma. State University. I am now pursuing a PhD in animal sciences studying forages and ruminant nutrition at Auburn University.”

–Mason (Blinson) Henson, 2016-2018 HYFA Scholarship Recipient

“If I’ve learned anything from these experiences, it’s that very few of us can get by without the generosity and assistance provided by someone else. The $10,000 scholarship provided by the Vanier family was a game-changer for me and my family.”

–Austin Cook, 2020 HYFA Scholarship Recipient

Fall Scholarships

Spring Scholarships

Western States Scholarships

Special Scholarships

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HYFA Fall Scholarships

Application Deadline Sept. 1

More than $150,000 of scholarships are awarded each fall at the NJHA Awards and HYFA Scholarship Ceremony at the annual American Hereford Association Membership Meeting in Kansas City. More information about the different scholarships can be found at the HYFA scholarship page and within the application.

Fall Scholarships Offered

Ten $10,000 Vanier Family Scholarships
Two $5,000 EE Ranch Scholarships
One $5,000 Perks Ranch Scholarship
One $5,000 CBY Polled Herefords, Bob & Dolores Call Scholarship
One $5,000 Ball Foundation/ Cottonwood Springs Farm Scholarship
One $5,000 Bar One Ranch, In Memory of Ken Tracy Scholarship
One $2,500 Whitehead Ranches Scholarship
One $2,500 Fauquier Farms, Bob & Lucy Kube Scholarship
One $2,500 Tennessee River Music Inc., Randy & Kelly Owen Scholarship
One $2,500 Blin Family Scholarship
One $2,500 Larson Polled Herefords Scholarship
One $2,500 Gary Bishop Memorial Scholarship
One $2,500 HYFA Annual Scholarship
One $2,500 Merry Family/MGM Memorial Scholarship – For students Veterinary Medicine Degree – Pre Vet or Vet School Students are eligible to apply using Fall HYFA Application
Two $1,500 Ostgaard-Breiner Educational Scholarship – For students non-traditional students wanting to go into a technical field, graduate school, trade school, certification or other acceptable program

Fall HYFA Scholarship Application

Western States Hereford Scholarships

Application Deadline Nov. 1

The Western States Hereford Association (WSHA) offers scholarship opportunities to provide tuition assistance to current or former Junior Hereford Association members pursuing postsecondary education. These opportunities encourage leadership, sportsmanship, herdsmanship and academic success for young Hereford enthusiasts. There will be a minimum of one scholarship awarded each year (the total number of awards and amounts will be determined by the scholarship committee based on funds available).
Awards will be announced at the Western States National Hereford Show in Reno, Nev., in December. WSHA funds are invested with the HYFA and scholarship award payments will be provided by HYFA on the recipient’s behalf to the college, university, trade, or professional school they will be attending in the spring term. Award recipients may reapply for an award if they meet the criteria.

More information about the different scholarships can be found at the HYFA scholarship page and within the application.

Scholarships Offered

John Ascuaga Scholarship
Willard Wolf Memorial Scholarship

HYFA Spring Scholarships

Application Deadline April 15

This spring more than $40,000 in scholarships will be awarded to deserving NJHA members. Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Junior National Hereford Expo (JNHE). More information about the different scholarships can be found at the HYFA scholarship page and within the application.

Scholarships Offered

National Junior Merit Scholarship and Trip (1) $5,000
Golden Bull Achievement Award (3) $2,500 Each
Donna Curry Memorial Scholarship (3) $2,500 Each
Hereford Herdsman Scholarship (2) $2,500 Each
Bud Snidow Award (1) $2,500
John Wayne Memorial Scholarship (1) $2,000
NOP Founders Scholarship (1) $2,000
Mead Memorial Scholarship (1) $2,000
Charles E. Boyd Memorial (1) $1,500
Buckeye/Bluegrass Scholarship (1) $1,500

Special Scholarships

The family of John and Estelle Matasovic originally established the OXO World Traveler scholarship in memory of their parents through the Hereford Youth Foundation of America. The scholarship was designed to award exceptional Hereford youth with the opportunity to travel to the World Hereford Conference every four years at various destinations around the world and to serve as an ambassador of the American Hereford Association (AHA) on the tour group traveling throughout the host country.

The 2024 World Hereford Conference will be held in Kansas City, Mo. Details regarding the 2024 conference will be coming soon.

Requirements & Process

Requirements and process are listed on the HYFA Fall Scholarship Application, including any special notes for different requirements per scholarship.