National Cowboy Heritage Association Scholarship

'FALL 2026 & SPRING 2027 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN.' 'The National Cowboy Heritage Association awards scholarships each semester to outstanding high school seniors or current college/university students who have been raised in or currently reside in a Texas working ranch or agricultural family.' Residency requirements — the applicant must be a U.S. citizen and a Texas resident, enrolled in or graduated from an accredited high school or homeschool program, and must have been raised in the home of a working ranch or agricultural family in Texas; an applicant whose home is in Texas but who attends an out-of-state school is still considered a resident. Academic standing — the applicant must be a high school senior, graduate, or continuing education student and must plan to register full-time at an accredited college, university or trade school, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester for undergraduates or 6-9 credit hours per semester for graduate students; a 2.5 grade point average must be maintained to receive continued NCHA funding. Character requirements — candidates must maintain a lifestyle of high moral character during their college career, students must remain drug-free and crime-free to receive continued support, and applicants with a felony conviction within the past 5 years are evaluated case by case. 'Scholarship funds are paid directly to your school, not to the student' and 'Awards are made for one semester at a time. A new application is required for each semester you wish to be considered; applications do not carry over.' Application deadlines are Fall Semester August 1, 2026 and Spring Semester January 10, 2027. 'New for 2026: We've expanded eligibility options for homeschool students, video submissions, and summer semester enrollment.'

Apply online through the fully digital scholarship application at cowboyheritage.org/scholarship-application. New applicants must submit all five items together: the completed application form; a personal essay OR a 2-5 minute video about your ranch or agricultural background, educational goals and what the scholarship would mean (written and video are given equal weight); one letter of recommendation OR recommendation video from a teacher, coach, principal, employer, ag instructor or community leader (recommendations from family members are not accepted); an official transcript (high school seniors from their high school, current college students from their college or university, homeschool students may submit a parent-issued transcript); and a copy of your birth certificate (a clear photo or scan is acceptable — do not mail the original). The essay/video and the letter of recommendation are two separate requirements; a recommendation does not substitute for the personal essay. Awards are made for one semester at a time and a new application is required for each semester — applications do not carry over. Scholarship funds are paid directly to the school, not to the student. Deadlines: Fall Semester August 1, 2026; Spring Semester January 10, 2027. Questions to info@cowboyheritage.org.