National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship

General Purpose Statement

The goal of the National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship Program presented by Durango® Boots is to empower and support women who embody the spirit of the American cowgirl—a spirit embodied by women who show strength, confidence, and resiliency, and who aspire to contribute to the western way of life through the passionate pursuit of a career within the Western, agriculture, farm and ranch, dude ranch, equine, or Western sports industries. This scholarship aims to support women who fit these criteria by providing financial assistance towards their education in preparation for a future career in the Western industry.

The National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship is administered by the Dude Ranch Foundation. Dedicated to preserving the authentic guest ranch experience, the Foundation supports scholarships, horse safety programs, educational outreach, and ranchland preservation, along with a free Western Museum in Cody, Wyoming. Together, these efforts safeguard a way of life rooted in respect for the land, the horse, and Western tradition.

Timing

The 2025 National Day of the Cowgirl Scholarship presented by Durango® Boots will be awarded to one female candidate who is currently enrolled as a first-year student in an undergraduate college program. Initial funding will be provided within the 2026-2027 academic year. Funds will be distributed over the course of her remaining undergraduate college career, up to $30,000. The chosen candidate will be announced in August 2026.

Financial Award

Awards are for $10,000 to $15,000 annually, based upon collegiate status, and are renewable for up to three years of undergraduate study.

Applicant Requirements

• She/The Applicant has existing ties, experience, or affiliation in the Western industry and has a passion to pursue a career in the Western, agriculture, farm and ranch, dude ranch, equine, or western sports industries.
  Degrees pursued may be varied but with the intent to be utilized to further a career in the aforementioned industries.

• The applicant must already be in her first year of college, either as a Freshman or as a student who entered with enough credits to qualify as a Sophomore.

• The applicant must be a female citizen of the United States or Canada.

• Applicant must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate, full-time student in a 4-year accredited university or higher educational institution based in the United States or Canada.

• Applicants must submit a completed application, a resume, three references, and transcript by December 31, 2025.^*
  Materials received after this date will not be considered.

  (^*Paper applications cannot be accepted unless approved by the administrator)

• Scholarship recipient must submit grades each semester. It is the duty of the scholarship recipient to submit her grades at the end of each semester. A minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 is required to obtain the scholarship and the recipient must maintain a 3.0 GPA to qualify for an automatic renewal.

Non-Compliance of Degree Path or GPA

Should the scholarship recipient fall below a 3.0 GPA or pursue a degree that falls outside the parameters of the spirit of the scholarship (western, agriculture, farm and ranch, dude ranch, equine, or western sports industries), the scholarship will be nullified. Recipients can appeal this decision if there are circumstances that are deemed acceptable by committee.

Required Materials

• Transcript

  Dependent upon candidate's collegiate status, submit an official transcript from either senior year of high school or Fall 2025 semester of college with application. The scholarship recipient is required to submit a transcript at the end of each term.

• Resume

  Include an updated resume outlining education, work, volunteerism, honors and awards, as appropriate.

• References

  • Three reference letters accompanying an application must include the following:

    • One personal, one professional and one from an instructor who have known the candidate for at least two years.

    • A reference to the quality of the applicant's character and why this applicant should receive this scholarship.

    • Analysis of the applicant's financial need for the scholarship.

    • Perceived impact this scholarship would have on the applicant's life and future career in the Western, agriculture, farm and ranch, dude ranch, equine, or Western sports industries.

  • The reference letters must be uploaded via the application form along with all other documentation.

For questions regarding the application process, please contact info@nationaldayofthecowgirl.com