The Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) scholarship program is designed to provide recognition for outstanding members of the National Junior Hereford Association. The foundation's 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. This fall, HYFA will award more than $150,000 of academic scholarships to Hereford youth. Award presentations will take place at the AHA Annual Membership meeting in Kansas City, in conjunction with the 2025 World Hereford Conference. 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 Larson Polled Herefords Scholarship
    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
 

1. Applicant must be a NJHA member in good standing and not exceeding 22 years of age.
2. 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.
3. Applicant must be a paid member for the past three consecutive years.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. All applicants must have maintained at least a “C” or 2 .5 grade point average. A current academic transcript must accompany the application.
7. 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.
8. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and we advise a family member, teacher or advisor review your application prior to submission.

PROCESS
 

1. Submit online application through https://herefordyouthfoundation.submittable.com by Sept. 1.
2. Submit high school or college transcripts (unofficial are accepted), whichever is applicable. Also submit acceptance letter into college if just entering or transferring into a four- year university.
3. Submit a resume and a list of 3 personal and professional references and their relation to the applicant.
4. Submit a 300 dpi photo of the applicant (color or black-and-white accepted).
5. After applications are received and reviewed the top applicants will be notified and Zoom online interviews may be conducted to finalize the selection process if the selection committee deems it necessary.
6. Winners will be notified following the application deadline. Scholarship will be awarded in Kansas City, Mo., during the AHA Annual Meeting on Oct. 24. It is recommended that you be in attendance to accept your scholarship award, but is not a requirement.

Junior members who participate in the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout program access to a library of resources to learn about the beef cattle feeding industry and what happens to the cattle after they move on from a cow-calf operation. A final portfolio project, for those who wish to win scholarships and awards, as well as the title of junior member of the year is completed and finalists will be invited to the AHA Annual Meeting & World Hereford Conference to compete in person on Thurs., Oct. 23 at 3 p.m., and be recognized on Fri., Oct. 24 during the Young Breeders Competition & HYFA Scholarship Presentation Luncheon.

Junior Age Division - 7-13 as of Jan. 1, 2024

Senior Age Division - 14-21 as of Jan. 1, 2024
 

REQUIREMENTS

• Contestants must be a member of the NJHA, participant in the NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Program and have submitted a current BQA certification.
• Winners from previous years are allowed to continue competing within their age division each year until they age into the next division.
• The contest will begin with the written submission of answers to questions in an educational portfolio by Sept. 15, 2025.
• Judges will review and score the submitted portfolios, and the top three in each age division will be invited to the AHA Annual Meeting & World Hereford Conference to compete in person on Thurs., Oct. 23 at 3 p.m., and be recognized on Fri., Oct. 24 during the Young Breeders Competition & HYFA Scholarship Presentation Luncheon.

MORE INFORMATION

View the rules for the 2025 NJHA Fed Steer Shootout Final Portfolio Project - RULES

DUE SEPT. 15

The Western States Hereford Association (WSHA) and Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) offer scholarship opportunities in memory of Willard Wolf and John Ascuaga, who were committed to the Hereford breed and it’s people and were a big reason for the success of the “Nugget” Show and Sale in Reno for decades.  These scholarships provide tuition assistance to Western State’s Junior Hereford Association members pursuing postsecondary education and encourage leadership, achievement in and out of the showring, academic success and community service for young Hereford enthusiasts. The total number of awards and scholarship amounts will be determined  annually by the scholarship committee based on funds available and qualified applicants.

Awards will be announced at the Western States National Hereford Show in Reno, Nev., in December. WSHA funds are invested in 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.
 

SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED

John Ascuaga Scholarship - During the 2015 Western States National Hereford Show and Sale, which celebrated the 50th Nugget Hereford event, funds were donated in recognition of long time Nugget Casino owner, rancher and Hereford advocate, John Ascuaga. It was determined that those funds should be in support of Hereford youth in pursuit of a college education. Thus, the John Ascuaga Scholarship was established and awarded for the first time in 2016. It has been awarded annually ever since to a deserving young person.

Willard Wolf Scholarship -  During the 2021 Western States National Hereford Show and Sale, a scholarship fund was established in honor of Willard Wolf. Willard had a career spanning more than 33 years with the American Hereford Association, serving the Western Region and touched countless lives of people involved with Hereford cattle, even after his retirement. He was instrumental in organizing the show and sale formerly known as the “Nugget” and now the Western States National Hereford Show and Sale. He also took action that established the junior show that is part of the annual event. Willard was respected by those who had the opportunity to know him and through this scholarship his legacy will continue. The first award in his name was provided in 2022.
 

APPLICATIONS DUE OCT. 1