The cost of college figures into many college dreams. Madison Deeds, an agricultural education junior at Oklahoma State University, is no exception.

Deeds knew she wanted to earn her degree from OSU, but she had concerns about the cost. Scholarships from the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation helped her dream come true.

“I always knew I’d go to college, but I really wanted to be able to attend all four years at OSU instead of starting somewhere else and transferring in,” Deeds said. “If it weren’t for the scholarships I received for my work in 4-H, that simply wouldn’t have happened. Without 4-H, I wouldn’t have had the qualifications for the other scholarships.”

In total, Deeds received close to $12,000 in scholarships, which covered nearly all of her first two years at OSU.

Milford H. Jenkins, executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, said the foundation provides between $150,000 and $160,000 worth of scholarships each year to club members.

“Investing in the lives of 4-H youth through scholarships, education and leadership training and empowering our 4-H youth to achieve their dreams, is an investment in the future leaders of our communities, state and nation,” Jenkins said. “It’s only because of the generous philanthropic support from individuals, foundations and corporations that the foundation is able to make this possible for our 4-H members.”

To learn more about the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, visit oklahoma4hfoundation.com.