The American Quarter Horse Foundation aims to support youth developing into future leaders within the industry by teaching them the values of compassion, dedication, and hard work through engagement with American Quarter Horses. It seeks to make higher education more affordable for these youths, helping them turn their passion into a career, thereby creating a legacy of support and impact in the industry.
The AQHA Scholarships program offers financial assistance ranging from $500 to $50,000 for youth pursuing higher education. Since 1976, it has provided over $7.6 million in scholarships, supporting over 1,350 students. The program is open to students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in various fields. Scholarships are available through the general program for any college degree plan, career path scholarships for degrees tied to the horse industry, and state & regional scholarships for youth leaders actively involved through their state affiliate. Fields supported include racing, animal science, journalism, communications, therapeutic/adaptive riding, and veterinary medicine, among others.