SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

All students applying to the BS in Animal Science and/or Equine Business Management Certification Programs at the University of Maryland are automatically considered for scholarships by the the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources based on their scholastic achievements.

In addition, students in the Animal Science major may qualify for scholarships available in the Department of Animal and Avian Sciences.

Please click here to learn more about financial aid opportunities at the University of Maryland.

Specific Scholarships open to Equine Studies Students:

Maryland Racing Media Association Scholarship
The Maryland Racing Media Association (MRMA) scholarship program was initially founded to support backstretch workers at Maryland thoroughbred tracks who were attending college. Grooms, hot walkers, exercise riders and others licensed by the Maryland Jockey Club to work at the track were eligible to receive financial assistance.

The scholarship program is still very much committed to our original goal of helping licensed Maryland Jockey Club backstretch employees. However, as a result of the tremendous growth of the scholarship program, in recent years we have given financial aid that ranges from $500 to $5,000 to students who work on thoroughbred farms or are involved in other endeavors that are directly tied to Maryland thoroughbred racing.

If you have worked on a thoroughbred farm in Maryland within the past year, or have done research that directly involves the Maryland thoroughbred racing industry, we urge you to apply for a scholarship. We expect to be able to distribute more than $30,000 in scholarship monies each year.

PLEASE NOTE: You MUST have some affiliation with the Maryland Thoroughbred industry to be eligible for a scholarship. Also, it is imperative that you file your scholarship application on time. Finally, you must also have all of your supporting material filed on time (this includes a letter of recommendation from your employer, and/or your faculty advisor if you are doing equine research.) Check back later for details for the 2008/2009 academic year sholarship.

John Bruce Dodson Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established to honor the memory of John Bruce Dodson, a 1968 graduate of the University of Maryland and lifelong advocate for horses and their care. Beginning in Fall 2008 and running for 5 years, one student within the Department of Animal and Avian Science who clearly demonstrates an interest in obtaining a career in equine sciences, including veterinary school, will be awarded this $5000 scholarship. No special application is required for this scholarship - simply an indication of equine interest on your University of Maryland Application!

2008 John Bruce Dodson Memorial Scholarship Recipient: Sara Meagher
Sara, a 20-year old junior from Jarrettsville in Harford County, was selected as the first recipient of the Equine Studies Scholarship in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) at the University of Maryland (UM). Established in 2007 by Martha Asberry in memory of her brother John Bruce Dodson, the Equine Studies Scholarship is awarded to one student annually who demonstrates a commitment to the equine industry through education and hard work. Chosen from a pool of applicants, Meagher received a unanimous recommendation from the faculty advisors in the College’s department of Animal and Avian Sciences (ANSC).

Combining her many interests into a double major in Animal Sciences and in Agricultural Science and Technology, Meagher, an outstanding student, has made the Dean’s Honor List each semester. She is an active member of the AGNR Student Council and the Animal Husbandry Club. As a member of the Equestrian Club, she participates as a lesson instructor and as a rider on the Intercollegiate Equestrian Team. Meagher also volunteers with the Maryland Network for Injured Equestrians.

This fall, Meagher will serve as a teaching assistant for the ANSC Horse Management course where she will help teach basic management skills. Her love of horses began eight years ago when she started training green ponies and competing in local hunter and Arabian breed shows. While in high school, she participated in statewide judging and hippology programs through Maryland 4-H.

“My ultimate goal is to teach agriculture and animal science within the public school system,” she explains. “I hope to create an educated and passionate equine community that practices good management.”