Almost anyone can benefit from a little help when it comes time for higher education. College or university is expensive, but the fact remains that a degree helps find significant work in any field. Fortunately thousands of public, private, corporate, and civic organizations offer financial aid for tuition and other expenses. Many of these are unused, since no one applies for them. Dedicated equestrian scholarships are only one of many kinds of awards that a student interested in working with horses may qualify for.
Of course, there will be some awards strictly for riders, but there are also academic ones. Beauty pageants often offer scholarship money as their prize, as do talent contests. Community organizations like the Rotary and Lions Clubs, or the 4-H, have money to give. The schools themselves have access to aid for qualified and deserving students.
Some scholarships are broad enough to include any kind of study, stating merely that they be used for educational costs. Others depend on certain criteria the award winner must fill. For example, an athlete who cannot play because of injury or bad grades may lose their award. A student who does not maintain a satisfactory grade point average might lose their academic aid. Aid from one school will not transfer with a student who changes schools.
Riding can pave the way to college. Both English and western organizations proudly award financial aid year after year. As horse shows and rodeos gain popularity as a spectator sport, schools have come to offer degree programs in all sorts of equine activities and to field teams for intramural competitions. Whether the sport is barrel racing, polo, or Grand Prix jumping, success in the arena can count for more than ribbons or belt buckles.
Breed associations also offer funds for higher education. A boy or girl can apply for aid if they show - or sometimes merely own - an Arabian or an Appaloosa, for instance. Those who have Quarterhorses, Saddlebreds, Morgans, or other breeds should check out what is available. A student may qualify for several of the small, one-time awards given throughout the horse industry.
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association maintains a list of college and university teams across the country. Their website offers a lot of other information as well and is a good starting point for those who are top-notch riders. Schools with horse-based programs place a high priority on winning in intramural competition.
People who can't compete at the top level or who may not even want to ride may still want to work with horses. There are courses in barn management, riding school operation, the legalities of the equine industry, equine nutrition, and in things like dentistry or hoof care for horses. This field is as amenable to individual talents and inclinations.
There is a treasure trove of financial aid out there, given by groups like the Boy Scouts or retailers like Wal Mart. Many corporations offer aid packages, as do civic groups and individual philanthropists. Any serious student should be able to find help to pay for higher education.
Of course, there will be some awards strictly for riders, but there are also academic ones. Beauty pageants often offer scholarship money as their prize, as do talent contests. Community organizations like the Rotary and Lions Clubs, or the 4-H, have money to give. The schools themselves have access to aid for qualified and deserving students.
Some scholarships are broad enough to include any kind of study, stating merely that they be used for educational costs. Others depend on certain criteria the award winner must fill. For example, an athlete who cannot play because of injury or bad grades may lose their award. A student who does not maintain a satisfactory grade point average might lose their academic aid. Aid from one school will not transfer with a student who changes schools.
Riding can pave the way to college. Both English and western organizations proudly award financial aid year after year. As horse shows and rodeos gain popularity as a spectator sport, schools have come to offer degree programs in all sorts of equine activities and to field teams for intramural competitions. Whether the sport is barrel racing, polo, or Grand Prix jumping, success in the arena can count for more than ribbons or belt buckles.
Breed associations also offer funds for higher education. A boy or girl can apply for aid if they show - or sometimes merely own - an Arabian or an Appaloosa, for instance. Those who have Quarterhorses, Saddlebreds, Morgans, or other breeds should check out what is available. A student may qualify for several of the small, one-time awards given throughout the horse industry.
The Intercollegiate Horse Show Association maintains a list of college and university teams across the country. Their website offers a lot of other information as well and is a good starting point for those who are top-notch riders. Schools with horse-based programs place a high priority on winning in intramural competition.
People who can't compete at the top level or who may not even want to ride may still want to work with horses. There are courses in barn management, riding school operation, the legalities of the equine industry, equine nutrition, and in things like dentistry or hoof care for horses. This field is as amenable to individual talents and inclinations.
There is a treasure trove of financial aid out there, given by groups like the Boy Scouts or retailers like Wal Mart. Many corporations offer aid packages, as do civic groups and individual philanthropists. Any serious student should be able to find help to pay for higher education.
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