Rhode Island 4-H Club Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Rhode Island 4-H Club Foundation, Inc.

Description

**Purpose**
The Rhode Island 4-H Club Foundation Scholarship supports present and former RI 4-H members who balance academic achievement with active service to 4-H or the community. The program emphasizes 4-H involvement as the primary selection factor, while also considering academic performance and, when documented, financial need. All application materials and deadlines are strictly enforced; incomplete or late submissions will not be accepted. The scholarship application is available online.

Key takeaways
- Designed for current or former RI 4-H members who give back through volunteer service.
- Prioritizes 4-H involvement; academics and financial need are secondary.
- Strict adherence to format, completeness, and deadlines is required.
- Application available at www.ri4hclubfoundation.org.

Eligibility

**Membership & service requirements**
Applicants must be present or former Rhode Island 4-H members with at least one year of 4-H participation and must currently serve 4-H in some volunteer or leadership capacity. The scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors, undergraduate students, and graduate students who meet the academic and enrollment criteria.

**Academic enrollment & GPA**
Undergraduate applicants must be accepted/enrolled in an accredited college or technical school and plan to take at least 12 credits in Fall 2026; graduate students must take at least 6 credits. Applicants must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better and maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in the Fall 2026 semester.

**Financial-need consideration**
Financial need is considered only if the applicant submits a FAFSA with their application; applicants seeking need-based consideration MUST include a FAFSA.

Key takeaways
- Minimum: 1 year in 4-H + current volunteer/service involvement.
- Enrollment: Undergrads 12+ credits (Fall 2026); grads 6+ credits.
- GPA: cumulative and Fall 2026 GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Submit FAFSA if you want financial-need to be considered.

Application Requirements

**Application form**
Complete the official 4-H Scholarship Form by typing your responses directly into the Microsoft Word form available from the Foundation website. Returning applicants must update their form to include recent achievements and activities.

**Transcripts**
Provide current high school or post-secondary transcripts in an official format or signed by an appropriate official. Home-schooled applicants may submit a one-page portfolio summary plus SAT or equivalent exam results.

**Letters of recommendation**
Submit two recommendations dated within 12 months (after June 26, 2025): one addressing academic performance (or a professional reference for graduate applicants) and one addressing your 4-H work. Recommendations may be emailed directly by the writer to dimondi4@etal.uri.edu (the email must come from the recommender, not forwarded by the applicant).

**Financial aid form (FAFSA)**
Include your FAFSA only if you want the Committee to consider financial need. The Executive Director alone will review FAFSA information and report, in broad terms, whether need should factor into decisions; FAFSA details remain confidential and are not shared with the Committee.

**Formatting & completeness**
Type all application responses; electronic signatures are acceptable if you submit by email. Incomplete applications (missing signatures, transcripts, or recommendations) will not be accepted.

Key takeaways
- Use the Word form from www.ri4hclubfoundation.org and type responses.
- Provide official/signed transcripts or home-school portfolio.
- Two dated recommendation letters required; recommender must email directly if using email.
- Include FAFSA only to request financial-need consideration; it will be reviewed confidentially.
- Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Submission & Deadlines

**Deadline and delivery**
All application materials must be postmarked by June 26, 2026, or hand-delivered to the State 4-H office (East Farm) by 5:00 PM on that date. Because the office may be locked, mailing or emailing is recommended.

**Where to send**
Mailing address: Rhode Island 4-H Club Foundation, PO Box 1925, Kingston, RI 02881. Email submissions and recommendation emails: dimondi4@etal.uri.edu.

**No extensions**
Deadlines are firm. There are no exceptions or extensions.

Key takeaways
- Postmark or hand-deliver by June 26, 2026 (5:00 PM for hand delivery).
- Mail to PO Box 1925, Kingston, RI 02881 or email dimondi4@etal.uri.edu.
- No late submissions or deadline extensions will be allowed.

Application Timeline & Award Disbursement

**Interview & notification schedule**
Candidates may be contacted in July or August for phone or in-person interviews. Award recipients will receive notification by mail following candidate interviews.

**Final disbursement conditions**
Scholarship funds are awarded in January 2027 after the Committee receives your Fall 2026 transcripts showing satisfactory academic performance (minimum 2.5 GPA) and documentation of 4-H or community service performed during the previous 12 months.

**Service documentation timing**
Submit proof of your recent 4-H/community service as soon as possible after the Fall semester. If you need 4-H volunteer opportunities, contact Kristy Horan at 874-2959 or kstone@uri.edu. Send service documentation to Deborah Imondi at dimondi4@etal.uri.edu.

Key takeaways
- Interviews may occur in July–August; winners notified by mail.
- Funds disbursed in January 2027 after Fall 2026 transcript review and service documentation.
- Must document service to 4-H or community from the prior 12 months promptly.

Selection Criteria & Conditions

**Selection priorities**
Selection is based first on the applicant’s 4-H record, then academic performance, the interview, and, when applicable, financial need. The Scholarship Committee and Board determine the number and amount of awards at their discretion.

**Award amounts & discretion**
The Committee decides award amounts and the number of scholarships each year; amounts depend on 4-H experience, application strength, grades, interview performance, and financial need if submitted.

**Academic & service conditions**
If a recipient fails to maintain a 2.5 GPA in the semester immediately following the award or fails to perform the required 4-H/community service, the scholarship will be forfeited. A student who forfeits may reapply the following year without prejudice.

**FAFSA confidentiality**
Only the Executive Director will view FAFSA information and will communicate only broad recommendations about financial need to the Scholarship Committee; FAFSA details will not be shared.

Key takeaways
- 4-H involvement is the top selection factor, followed by grades and interview.
- Award amounts and quantities are determined by the Committee each year.
- Scholarships are revoked for failure to meet GPA or service requirements; reapplication is allowed.
- FAFSA is reviewed confidentially by the Executive Director only.

Contact & Next Steps

**Who to contact**
Primary email for the Foundation and application submissions: dimondi4@etal.uri.edu. For volunteer opportunities with 4-H contact Kristy Horan at 874-2959 or kstone@uri.edu. Mailing address: RI 4-H Club Foundation, PO Box 1925, Kingston, RI 02881.

**Immediate next steps**
Request recommendation letters, signatures, and transcripts early to meet the deadline. Complete the Word application form, assemble required documents, and submit via mail or email by the deadline.

Key takeaways
- Email: dimondi4@etal.uri.edu; Volunteer contact: Kristy Horan, 874-2959 / kstone@uri.edu.
- Gather transcripts and references well before the deadline.
- Type your application and confirm all attachments before sending.

History of the Award

**Administration & mission**
The scholarship is administered by the Rhode Island 4-H Club Foundation to support the education of youth who have participated in 4-H and who continue to serve the organization or community. Its purpose is to reward sustained 4-H engagement alongside academic achievement and to encourage recipients to continue contributing to 4-H and community service.

Key takeaways
- Managed by the Rhode Island 4-H Club Foundation.
- Honors sustained 4-H involvement and academic effort.
- Encourages continued service to 4-H and the wider community.