Scholarships

Application available beginning Jan. 1, 2024

Deadline to apply is April 1, 2024

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.

Rules

The applicant must be a high school junior or senior or a graduate continuing their education at an accredited institution in an under graduate course of study. They must reside in the State of Ohio and must have been both eligible to be a participant in the Junior Fair (not older than 19 years of age as of January 1, 2023) and must have served as an active participant in both the Ohio State Fair Junior Division and their local county fair.

All questions on the application form must be answered to be considered for an award. High school and/or college transcript must be attached, along with copies of ACT and/or SAT scores. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Applications will be judged on the following basis:

• 20% Scholastic Standing
• 20% Citizenship and Leadership
• 25% Ohio State Fair Participation
• 20% County Fair Participation
• 15% Essay

Applicants may be required to be interviewed at the discretion of the Scholarship Committee.

Previous winners are eligible to compete, as long as they meet the above requirements.

Scholarship winners will be notified by July 1, 2024. The Hall of Fame Scholarship will be awarded during the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Luncheon on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. All other scholarships will be awarded during the Sale of Champions on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024.

Completed applications must be submitted by April 1, 2024. All applications and supporting documents must be submitted online.

$1,500 Governor James A. Rhodes Junior Fair Endowment Fund Scholarship

This scholarship is open to all junior fair exhibitors who will be incoming freshman or undergraduate students at The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, or OSU-ATI, Wooster.

$1,000 The Ohio Expositions Commissioner’s Endowment Fund Scholarship

This scholarship is open to all junior fair exhibitors who will be incoming freshman at The Ohio State University main campus, ATI, or any of its regional campuses and 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.

$1,000 The Ohio Expositions Commissioner Chair’s Endowment Fund Scholarship

This scholarship is open to all junior fair exhibitors who will be incoming freshman at The Ohio State University main campus, ATI, or any of its regional campuses and 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.

$1,000 General Manager’s Endowment Fund Scholarship (Two [2] scholarships will be awarded)

This scholarship is open to all junior fair exhibitors who will be incoming freshman at The Ohio State University main campus, ATI, or any of its regional campuses and 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.

$1,000 Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Non-Livestock Junior Fair Exhibitors Endowment Fund Scholarship

(Two [2] scholarships will be awarded) This scholarship is open to all junior fair exhibitors who will be incoming freshman at The Ohio State University main campus, ATI, or any of its regional campuses. Recipients must exhibit during the year of application. Scholarship will be awarded during the Ohio State Fair Hall of Fame Luncheon on Thursday, August 4.

$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 Goat Exhibitor

$1,000 Junior Fair Dairy Cattle Exhibitor (Two [2] scholarships will be awarded)

$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)

Questions?

Email the Ohio State Fair at info@expo.ohio.gov.

2023 Ohio State Fair Scholarship Winners