Scholarships

NCHA Foundation Scholarships

As one of the NCHA Foundation tenets, the youth scholarship tenet ensures that NCHA youth members have the funds available to achieve their higher education goals by providing the youth the opportunity to earn scholarships in and out of the cutting arena. 

Merit-Based Scholarship Program

The NCHA Foundation currently provides over $50,000 in merit-based scholarship funds to NYCHA members in good standing annually. Applications go live on April 1^st and must be fully submitted by June 30^th. All merit-based scholarship applications must be submitted via the online portal. To learn more about the merit-based scholarship program, visit the NCHA Foundation Scholarships Page.

Competition-Based Scholarships

The NCHA Foundation provides over $80,000 by funding major NYCHA  scholarship cuttings:

• NCHA Eastern National Championships – Jackson, Mississippi
• NCHA Western National Champions – Denver, Colorado
• NCHA Foundation Scholarship Cutting – Fort Worth, Texas
• NCHA Youth World Finals – Fort Worth, Texas
• NYCHA Youth Week Contests: the Public Speaking, Essay, Photo, and Artwork contest 

In addition to the scholarship opportunities, the NCHA Foundation also offers a Grant Program that financially supports youth education and leadership activities and events at both the local and national levels. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at scholarships@nchafoundation.org.

Milt Bradford Heritage of Ranching/Agriculture Memorial Scholarship

Presented by the National Youth Cutting Horse Association

The purpose of the Milt Bradford Heritage of Ranching/ Agriculture Memorial Scholarship is to assist students who are seeking to further their education with continuing the heritage of ranching and/ or agriculture. Four $2,500 scholarships will be awarded at the 2021 NYCHA Youth Convention Week during the NYCHA Award Banquet at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth, Texas. The recipient will be notified prior to the NYCHA Award Banquet.

The eligibility requirements are as follows:

1. Be an NCHA member attending college beginning in the Fall of 2021.
1. High school senior or college student pursuing an accredited two-or four-year degree or trade school with an emphasis in continuing the Heritage of Ranching and Agriculture.
2. Select majors including study of ranching or agriculture. Specific course examples; agronomy, animal science and nutrition, horticulture, livestock, plant science, sustainable agriculture, agriculture education and extension, agriculture business or finance, agriculture economics, agricultural engineering, agriculture power and equipment, or animal breeding and genetics.
2. Be accepted by any accredited d state supported college, university, community college, or trade school nationwide.
3. Be a current NCHA Member in good standing

Applicants will be selected on following criteria:

1. Academic Accomplishment (May include but is not limited to, grades, awards, recognition in school, etc.)

• Minimum current 3.0 GPA (REQUIRED)

2. Extracurricular Activities (May include but is not limited to, sports, church activities, volunteer work, etc.)
3. Leadership
4. Essay

Please write a short essay, no more than 250 words, explaining how your college education will help you achieve your career objectives and personal goals.

Milt Bradford Heritage of Ranching/Agriculture Memorial Scholarship

Milt Bradford Heritage of Ranching/Agriculture Memorial Scholarship Application - Due July 6

Additional Scholarship Opportunites

The NYCHA is fortunate to partner with numerous organizations both in and out of the cutting industry. These partnerships not only provide our youth members the opportunity to gain skills in leadership but also the ability to apply for scholarships. 

Michelle Lynn Holsey Foundation

Future Farmers of America (FFA)

National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA)