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In an effort to recognize the quality youth of Ohio, and to help those interested in furthering their education, the Ohio Expositions Commission has established a Scholarship Program for Ohio State Fair participants. The purpose of these scholarships is to assist high school juniors and seniors and graduates who are continuing their education at an accredited institution in an under graduate course of study in any field. The Scholarship Committee reserves the right to not issue a scholarship if no applicant fulfills the requirements.

Deadline to apply is April 1, 2025

Eligibility

• The applicant must be a high school junior, senior or undergraduate student continuing their education at an accredited institution in an undergraduate course of study.
• Applicant must reside in the State of Ohio.
• Applicant must be eligible to be a participant in the Junior Fair (not older than 19 years of age as of January 1, 2025) and must have served as an active participant in both the Ohio State Fair Junior Division and their local county fair.
• Previous applicants and winners may apply if they meet the above criteria.

Submission Requirements

• The application must be completed using the online scholarship portal no later than April 1, 2025. An application submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
• An incomplete application (missing transcript, incomplete responses) will not be considered.
• Transcripts may be official or unofficial and must be submitted through the online scholarship application.
• Do not submit more than one application.

Judging Criteria

• Each application will be reviewed to ensure the applicant meet minimum requirements. The application will then be sent to scholarship committee members.
• The application will be scored by each committee member based on the application criteria below. The average of all scores will be used to determine the final scholarship recipients.

• • 20% Scholastic Standing
  • 20% Citizenship and Leadership
  • 25% Ohio State Fair Participation
  • 20% County Fair Participation
  • 15% Essay
• An applicant may be required to be interviewed at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

Award Notification

• Scholarship winners will be notified by July 15, 2025.
• The Hall of Fame Scholarship will be awarded during the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Luncheon on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
• All other scholarships will be awarded during the Sale of Champions Auction on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025.

Exhibitor Scholarships are available for applicants who currently attend or plan to attend any two-year or four-year college or university in Ohio.

• $1,000 Junior Fair Beef Cattle Breeding and/or Market Exhibitor (Two [2] scholarships will be awarded)
• $1,000 Junior Fair Swine Breeding and/or Market Exhibitor (Two [2] scholarships will be awarded)
• $1,000 Junior Fair Sheep Breeding and/or Market Exhibitor (Two [2] scholarships will be awarded)
• $1,000 Junior Fair Poultry Breeding and/or Market Exhibitor (Two [2] scholarships will be awarded)
• $1,000 Junior Fair Boer Goat Breeding and/or Market Exhibitor (Two [2] scholarships will be awarded)
• $1,000 Junior Fair Dairy Cattle Exhibitor (Two [2] scholarships will be awarded)
• $1,000 Junior Fair Dairy Goat Exhibitor
• $1,000 Junior Fair Dog Exhibitor
• $1,000 Junior Fair Horse Exhibitor
• $1,000 Junior Fair Rabbit Exhibitor
• $1,000 Junior Fair Non-Livestock Exhibits & Activities Exhibitor (Two [2] scholarships will be awarded)

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

The following scholarships require enrollment in The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, are attending any campus, including The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute (“ATI”), and are current junior exhibitors at the Ohio State Fair. If there are no candidates enrolled in the College, scholarship(s) will be open to students enrolled in any college in the University that otherwise meet the selection criteria above.

NEW! OEC I Youth Reserve Program Scholarship

• Must be an incoming first-year student.

NEW! OEC II Youth Reserve Program Scholarship

• Must be an incoming first-year student.

Governor James A. Rhodes Junior Fair Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Must be an incoming first-year student.

General Manager’s Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Must be majoring in Animal Sciences. In the event that there are no qualified students majoring in Animal Sciences, applicants enrolled in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences who meet the other criteria may be considered for the scholarship.

The Ohio Expositions Commissioner’s Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Must be majoring in Animal Sciences. In the event that there are no qualified students majoring in Animal Sciences, applicants enrolled in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences who meet the other criteria may be considered for the scholarship.

The Ohio Expositions Commissioner Chair’s Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Must be majoring in Animal Sciences. In the event that there are no qualified students majoring in Animal Sciences, applicants enrolled in the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences who meet the other criteria may be considered for the scholarship.

Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Non-Livestock Junior Fair Exhibitors Endowment Fund Scholarship

• Must be an incoming first-year student. Scholarship will be presented at the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Ceremony on Thursday, July 31, 2024.