Who can apply for a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Scholarship?

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo offers several different kinds of scholarships and eligibility requirements may vary.

However, all applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be a U.S. citizen; permanent residents are not eligible to apply.
• Attend a public high school from which you will graduate at mid-term or in the spring of the year in which you seek an award. Students who are home-schooled or who attend private or parochial schools may not apply.
• Be a resident of the state of Texas.
• Plan to attend a Texas college or university and have applied for admission to such an institution. The Show does not fund scholarships to attend out-of-state schools. Even if you plan to attend a school with an “open admissions” policy, you still must have applied at the time application is made.
• Meet academic standards for class rank and SAT/ACT scores as stated within the application. No one may apply who has not taken either the SAT or ACT test and who cannot furnish documentation of scores.
• Submit a completed application with appropriate documentation.

How can I get an application?

Depending on the type of scholarship, applications are available from the Office of Educational Programs of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, a coordinating organization (4-H, FFA or FCCLA), counselors at participating public high schools and/or the Show Web site. Please note, hard copy applications must be submitted; the Show will not accept applications submitted electronically.

If you request an application from the Office of Educational Programs, include your name, e-mail and home addresses, the name of the public high school you attend, and the type of application requested.

How do I submit my scholarship application?

Applications must be mailed to the Office of Educational Programs, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, P.O. Box 20070, Houston, TX 77225-0070, by the deadline date.

Downloaded applications may not be submitted to the Show electronically. Hard copy applications, with accompanying documentation and original letters of recommendation, must be submitted.

What kind of scholarships does the Show offer?

Metropolitan – for students attending participating public high schools in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties. Applications are available through the Show and/or counselors’ offices at participating schools. Completed applications are not submitted directly to the Show. Applications are returned to the high school counselor for screening at the school level.

Opportunity – need-based scholarship for students attending participating public high schools in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties. Applications are available through the Show and/or counselors’ offices at participating schools.

4-H, FFA, FCCLA – scholarships awarded to members of these respective organizations. Applications available through the organization; criteria and deadline dates vary.

Area Go Texan – scholarships awarded to students representing the 60 participating counties in the Area Go Texan program (counties outside the greater Houston area). Applicants must meet residency requirements respective to these 60 counties, as well as other criteria. Applications are available through the Show, online, and from high school counselors, Agriscience teachers and county extension agents in the participating counties.

School Art – scholarships awarded to students participating in the Show’s School Art Program who are graduating seniors and whose artwork has achieved recognition through the program, receiving Best in Show, Gold Medal or Special Merit awards.

Hildebrand – open to qualifying exhibitors in each year’s Junior Market Lamb competition. One, one-year, $3,750 scholarship is presented to the outstanding junior market lamb exhibitor. Applications are available through the Show’s exhibitor handbook. Deadline is the evening of the lamb sift. Interview necessary.

Can I apply for more than one Show scholarship?

Yes, except for 4-H and FFA. You should apply for all Show scholarships for which you are eligible. However, 4-H and FFA prohibit a student from applying for both, regardless of your membership or eligibility; to do so results in disqualification from either organization.

Can I win more than one Show scholarship?

No. (If you receive a Show scholarship that is less than $15,000, such as an Area Go Texan scholarship, you must relinquish that scholarship if you go on to win a larger Show scholarship, such as a 4-H or FFA scholarship.)

What is the deadline to apply?

Deadlines vary with the type of scholarship. See the scholarship descriptions.

Do I have to Show or have shown an animal to apply for a scholarship?

No, with two exceptions. The only Show scholarships that require an applicant to have exhibited at the Show are the Hildebrand (for junior lamb exhibitors) and the School Art (participants in the school art program).

Do I have to major in agriculture?

No, there are no restrictions on the major field of study for any Show scholarship, as long as the major leads to a four-year degree.

Can I attend a community or junior college on a Show scholarship?

Yes, the Show funds its scholarship recipients who begin their academic pursuits at community colleges or junior colleges. However, the student must show academic progress and finish at a four-year institution if he/she has received a four-year award.

Can I attend an out-of-state school?

No.

My parents are members of the Show or work on Show committees. Can I apply for a scholarship?

Yes. Children of Show members or Show committee members are eligible to apply but receive no special consideration.

How are scholarship recipients selected?

Applications are evaluated by independent committees using a comprehensive scoresheet with points awarded for academics, citizenship/leadership and financial need. Their rankings are validated by the Show’s Office of Educational Programs.