How To Find Equestrian Scholarships

By Dorthy Lloyd


Education is expensive, and student loans can be crippling. However, there are literally thousands of financial aid packages available today. The great majority of students never take the time and trouble to find out about help that is offered to pay for tuition and textbooks. In fact, many funds go unused as no one qualified asks for them. Equestrian scholarships are available from many sources, so students interested in the many facets of this field will do well to investigate.

There are many kinds of aid available for qualified students. Some are based on need, others on academic excellence. Athletic prowess is a well-known way to get a free ride to a degree. But there are others, like a beauty pageant prize or a talent show award, or ones which reward community service or club membership. Schools offer help with tuition and other costs, as well. Every avenue should be explored when facing the huge investment a college education requires.

Much of the money available is not too specific, but other awards may depend on certain courses of study or participation in certain activities. An academic scholarship may be used for tuition and textbooks of any kind, while an athletic scholarship might require consistent and active participation in a certain sport. Some may require maintenance of a satisfactory grade point level, while others are one-time awards that have no such stipulation.

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.

There are other areas of expertise in the horse world, too. Those who can't compete over high jumps, on the polo field, or in the rodeo arena may prefer to focus on barn management, teaching lessons, or equine nutrition. As with any kind of education, there is scope for individual talent and achievement.

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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