WELCOME NJHA MEMBERS
Welcome to Submittable and your hub for the Hereford Youth Foundation of America's (HYFA) scholarship application process as well as applying for all awards and contests offered through the National Junior Hereford Association (NJHA) and the NJHA Board of Director Application and National Queen Application.
The HYFA scholarship program is designed to provide recognition for outstanding members of the NJHA. 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. Each year, HYFA proudly awards more than $230,000 to support Hereford youth.
FALL HYFA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
In 2025, the Hereford Youth Foundation of America awarded more than $200,000 of scholarships to deserving NJHA members. Don’t miss your opportunity to expand your educational opportunities through the spring scholarship program. Fall scholarship applications are due Sept. 1 and will be awarded at the American Hereford Association (AHA) Annual Meeting & Educational Forum, held in Kansas City, Mo., during the HYFA Scholarship and Award Luncheon on October 23, 2026. Applicants are encouraged, but not required to be present to accept scholarships.
*Further details regarding the scholarships can be found within the application.
FALL HYFA SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE | SEPT. 1
NATIONAL HEREFORD QUEEN APPLICATIONS
Each year, state queens are selected from across the country to represent their respective state with the goal of being selected as the National Hereford Queen. In each state, the queen attends events, shows and sales along with attending the Junior National Hereford Expo presenting awards and assisting with ring presentations. The official competition for the title of National Hereford Queen takes place each year during the American Royal, wit the newly selected National Hereford Queen being announced and crowned during the grand drive of the National Hereford Show at the American Royal Livestock Show.
*Further details regarding the scholarships can be found within the application.
NATIONAL HEREFORD QUEEN APPLICATION DEADLINE | SEPT. 1
Award presentations will take place at the AHA Annual Membership meeting in Kansas City. Applicants are encouraged, but not required to be present to accept scholarships.
FALL HYFA SCHOLARSHIPS INCLUDE:
- 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 Randy & Kelly Owen Scholarship
- One $2,500 Blin Family Scholarship
- One $2,500 Gary Bishop Memorial Scholarship
- One $2,500 Larson Polled Herefords Scholarship
The following are scholarships that have unique requirements and/or are designed for specific applicants. Those requirements are noted on the Fall Scholarship Application, and you must select if you would qualify and would like to be considered for those scholarships.
- Two $1,500 Ostgaard-Breiner Educational Scholarships - For students non-traditional students wanting to go into a technical field, graduate school, trade school, certification or other acceptable program.
- One $2,500 Merry Family/MGM Memorial Scholarship - For students pursuing Veterinary Medicine Degree - Pre Vet or Vet School Students are eligible to apply.
REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must be a NJHA member in good standing and not over the age of 22.
- If pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine, technical education, are over the age of 22, etc., and are applying for non-traditional scholarships, applicant must be a member of the American Hereford Association.
- Applicant must be a paid member for the past three consecutive years.
- All scholarship applicants must be enrolled as a full-time student in a four-year accredited university, junior/ community college and/or a technical institution.
- Students who are seeking post graduation degrees, such as vet school, law school, etc., are eligible to apply for fall HYFA Scholarships, as long as they meet the other requirements of scholarship.
- All applicants must have maintained at least a “C” or 2 .5 grade point average. A current academic transcript must accompany the application.
- Applicants meeting the necessary requirements can apply any number of times provided they maintain the required academic standards. A new application must be submitted each year.
Thank you for your interest in the National Hereford Queen program. The National Hereford Women (NHW) are pleased to sponsor the National Queen Contest which is held each year during the AHA/NHW annual meetings at the American Royal in Kansas City, Mo. Please complete this form in its entirety, including the required documents, in order to be considered.