American Paint Horse Foundation Academic Scholarships Opening Soon
Offered by American Paint Horse Foundation
About This Scholarship
The American Paint Horse Foundation — the charitable arm of the American Paint Horse Association — awards more than 50 academic scholarships each year to young members of the AjPHA (the youth association) and APHA. Each scholarship is $1,000 and renewable for up to three additional years, so a recipient who keeps a 3.0 college GPA can collect up to $4,000 across an undergraduate career.
The membership requirement has teeth: applicants must have been AjPHA or APHA members for the past three years. Eligibility covers graduating high school seniors and recent graduates applying within two years of finishing high school. Applicants need a college entrance exam on record, three letters of reference, and a 500-word essay on their educational plans and goals. Some individual scholarships in the pool carry residency-specific requirements.
Applications are open December 1 through March 1 each cycle, submitted online through the foundation's scholarship page along with transcripts, GPA and class rank, SAT or ACT scores, a photo, and a rundown of horse and extracurricular activities.
Eligibility
- AjPHA or APHA member for the past three years
- Graduating high school senior, or within two years of high school graduation
- Passed a college entrance exam (SAT or ACT)
- Three letters of reference
- Renewal requires maintaining a cumulative 3.0 GPA with at least 12 credit hours per term; some scholarships carry residency-specific requirements
How To Apply
- Gather transcripts, SAT/ACT scores, GPA and class rank, a photo, and your horse and extracurricular activity record
- Request three letters of recommendation through the foundation's Letter of Recommendation Form
- Write the 500-word essay on your educational plans and goals
- Submit through the Apply Today link on the APHA Foundation scholarships page between December 1 and March 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to own a Paint Horse?
No. The core requirement is three years of AjPHA or APHA membership, not horse ownership — though your horse-related activities are part of the application.
How does renewal work?
Each $1,000 scholarship is renewable for up to three additional years. You must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA, carry at least 12 credit hours, and submit renewal paperwork four to six weeks before classes begin.
Can current college students apply?
Yes, if you are within two years of your high school graduation and meet the three-year membership requirement.