If you or someone you know is involved in harness racing and looking for financial support to pursue higher education, the Harness Horse Youth Foundation (HHYF) Scholarship Program is one of the best opportunities you will find in the equine and Standardbred racing world. This guide covers everything you need to know about HHYF scholarship applications, including who is eligible, what each scholarship offers, how to apply, and tips to make your application stand out.
Whether you grew up at the barn, your parents own a stable, or you simply have a deep love for the sport of harness racing, there is likely a scholarship here that fits your situation. Read on and find out how HHYF has been quietly changing lives for nearly 50 years.
What Is the Harness Horse Youth Foundation Scholarship (HHYF)?
The Harness Horse Youth Foundation, commonly known as HHYF, is a charitable 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Anderson, Indiana. Its mission is to provide young people and their families with educational opportunities and hands-on experiences with harness horses, with the goal of building the next generation of participants and fans in the sport of harness racing.
The foundation was established in 1976 and has been making a measurable difference in the lives of young people connected to the Standardbred horse industry for nearly five decades. Over the years, HHYF has awarded and administered scholarship funds in excess of one million dollars, which is a remarkable achievement for a niche charitable organization. As of 2026, the foundation is proudly celebrating its 50th anniversary.
Beyond scholarships, HHYF runs a variety of educational programs including interactive learning experiences with racehorses, summer camps, family weekend events, and the creation and distribution of educational materials related to harness racing. The foundation runs entirely on donations, volunteer support, and the dedication of its 15-member board of trustees.
If you have ever wondered who is keeping the tradition of harness racing alive for younger generations, HHYF is very much at the center of that effort.
Overview of the HHYF Scholarship Program
HHYF currently administers four separate scholarship and financial assistance opportunities for students connected to harness racing. Each scholarship has its own eligibility requirements, focus area, and application process, but they all share the same core selection criteria.
According to the official HHYF website, all scholarship applicants must be at least high school seniors and are preferably under the age of 25. The general selection criteria used across all scholarships include demonstrated scholastic achievement (with GPA being a key factor), financial need, completeness of the application, quality of written essays, and quality of video question responses where applicable.
The standard application deadline for most HHYF scholarships is June 1, though early submission is always encouraged. Applications for the 2026 academic year were made available starting December 1, 2025. Below is a breakdown of each scholarship offered through HHYF.
1. Harold and Marcia Snyder Memorial Scholarship
The Harold and Marcia Snyder Memorial Scholarship is arguably the most well-known scholarship offered through HHYF. It is sponsored by David Snyder and International Sound Corporation and was formerly administered through Harness Tracks of America (HTA) before being moved to HHYF starting in 2022.
David Snyder has spoken openly about the motivation behind the scholarship. In his own words, the scholarship is a way of honoring his parents and giving back to the harness racing industry that shaped their lives. The scholarship is considered a fitting tribute to Harold and Marcia Snyder and their legacy in the Standardbred world.
Scholarship Amount
The Harold and Marcia Snyder Memorial Scholarship is one of the more generous awards in the harness racing community. In 2025, one recipient received $7,500 and another received $3,500, showing that the scholarship committee has flexibility in how funds are distributed based on individual circumstances and the strength of applications received each year.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Harold and Marcia Snyder Memorial Scholarship, applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
- Applicant must be personally involved in the harness racing industry or have a relative who is involved
- Applicant must demonstrate financial need
- Applicant may or may not be pursuing a career specifically in the harness racing industry
- Applicant must be at least a high school senior at the time of application
- Applicant must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Applicant must be enrolled or planning to enroll as a full-time student (minimum 12 credit hours per semester)
- Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible
One thing worth noting is that this scholarship is open to graduate students as well, which sets it apart from some of the other HHYF offerings. If you are currently in or planning to enter a graduate program and your family is involved in the harness racing industry, you should absolutely consider applying for this award.
Deadline: June 1
You can submit your application by visiting the Harold and Marcia Snyder Memorial Scholarship application page on the official HHYF website.
2. Curt Greene Memorial Scholarship
The Curt Greene Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Curt Greene, a celebrated figure in the Standardbred industry who worked his way through school while building a remarkable career in harness racing. Greene served in many different roles within the industry and was known for bringing tremendous energy and enthusiasm to everything he did. He is a member of the Harness Racing Hall of Fame’s Communicator’s Corner.
This scholarship is specifically designed for students who share Curt Greene’s deep passion for the sport of harness racing, regardless of whether they intend to pursue a career in the industry professionally.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must have a keen interest in harness racing
- Applicant must be at least a high school senior
- Applicant must demonstrate financial need
- Graduate students are not eligible for this scholarship
Unlike the Snyder Memorial Scholarship, the Curt Greene Memorial Scholarship is only available to undergraduate-level students. If you are a passionate fan or participant in harness racing who is planning for or currently enrolled in an undergraduate program and has financial need, this scholarship could be a great fit for you.
Deadline: June 1
Submit your application through the Curt Greene Memorial Scholarship application page on the HHYF website.
3. Sweet Karen Memorial Scholarship
The Sweet Karen Memorial Scholarship is a unique and heartfelt award that honors Sweet Karen, a beloved HHYF trotter who gained widespread recognition and even became something of a social media sensation. The scholarship carries on her memory by supporting students who have participated directly in HHYF programming.
This scholarship is specifically targeted at alumni of HHYF summer programs, meaning it rewards students who have already engaged with the foundation in a hands-on way. If you attended an HHYF youth camp, leadership program, Harness Racing Youth Leadership (HRYL) summer program, or a family weekend event, you may qualify for this scholarship.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must have completed at least one Harness Horse Youth Foundation summer program from 1999 to present
- This includes youth programs, leadership programs, HRYL summer programs, and family weekend events
- Applicant must be at least a high school senior
The amount and number of scholarships issued each year is at the discretion of the HHYF selection committee, so award amounts can vary. In 2025, one recipient received $1,000 through this category.
Deadline: June 1
Apply directly through the Sweet Karen Memorial Scholarship application page on the HHYF website.
4. Lynn Fortna Memorial Financial Assistance Program
The Lynn Fortna Memorial Financial Assistance Program is a bit different from the other three scholarships in that it is open exclusively to females in the harness racing community. It is designed to support women who want to continue their formal education or expand their knowledge and involvement in any aspect of harness racing and equine care.
This program recognizes that women play a vital and growing role in the harness racing industry, whether as drivers, trainers, breeders, farm managers, veterinarians, or in any number of other roles. The Lynn Fortna program helps remove financial barriers that might otherwise prevent motivated women from advancing their education or professional development in the sport.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicant must be female
- Applicant must be involved in the harness racing industry or have a strong interest in it
- Applicant must wish to further her education or expand her knowledge in any aspect of harness racing
- Applicant must be young-at-heart (this program is not strictly age-limited in the same way as the other scholarships)
One important distinction here is that the Lynn Fortna Financial Assistance Program has two annual deadlines rather than one: June 1 and December 30. This gives eligible applicants two opportunities each year to apply, which is particularly helpful for women who may be planning mid-year educational pursuits or who missed the spring deadline.
Deadlines: June 1 and December 30
Applications can be submitted through the Lynn Fortna Financial Assistance Program application page on the HHYF website.
General Application Requirements for All HHYF Scholarships
While each scholarship has its own specific eligibility criteria, there are several common elements that apply across all HHYF scholarship applications. Understanding these upfront will help you prepare a much stronger application.
Academic Achievement
HHYF takes academics seriously. Your GPA is one of the first things the selection committee will look at. For the Snyder Memorial Scholarship specifically, a minimum GPA of 2.5 is required. While not all scholarships state an explicit minimum GPA, strong academic performance will always strengthen your application overall. Make sure your transcripts are current and accurate before submitting.
Demonstrated Financial Need
Financial need is a key factor in most HHYF scholarship decisions. You will likely need to provide information about your financial situation as part of your application. Be honest and thorough in this section. The foundation is not looking for perfection; it is looking for students who genuinely need support to pursue their education.
Quality of Essay
Where essays are required, the quality of your writing matters a great deal. This is your chance to tell your story. Talk about your connection to harness racing, your educational goals, your values, and how this scholarship will help you get where you want to go. Do not rush the essay. Give it time, revise it multiple times, and have someone else read it before you submit.
Video Questions
Some HHYF scholarship applications now include video question components. This is a growing trend in scholarship applications generally and gives the committee a chance to hear directly from you in your own words. Speak clearly, be authentic, and do not try to memorize a scripted answer. The committee wants to see the real you.
Completeness of Application
This one sounds simple but it is where many applications fall short. An incomplete application can disqualify you regardless of how strong your essay or academic record may be. Read through every section carefully before submitting. Make sure every field is filled in, every required document is attached, and every question is answered. The HHYF office encourages early submission for exactly this reason, so that any issues can be identified and corrected before the deadline.
Who Has Won HHYF Scholarships in the Past?
Looking at past winners gives you a real sense of the kinds of students HHYF loves to support. In 2025, the roster of scholarship recipients included a diverse group of young people from across the United States, all connected to harness racing in different ways.
Hannah Dingledine from Mechanicsburg, Ohio, received $7,500 through the Harold and Marcia Snyder Memorial Scholarship. She is studying biological sciences at Wright State University with the goal of becoming a veterinarian. Having grown up around harness racing family members and livestock, she described herself as a very goal-driven person.
Jonas Scott from Warwick, Maryland, received $3,500 through the same scholarship. He is a senior at Bucknell University studying computer science and engineering. He is deeply involved in his parents’ harness racing stable and described how the scholarship gave him the freedom to pursue internships and real-world experience while staying connected to his passion for the sport.
Samantha Mayhugh received $1,000 toward her bachelor of science in agriculture degree at Ohio State University. She is from Circleville, Ohio, and hopes to eventually work for a business or association that promotes harness racing.
What these recipients have in common is genuine passion, academic commitment, financial need, and a clear sense of where they want to go. That is what HHYF looks for.
How to Access and Submit HHYF Scholarship Applications
All HHYF scholarship applications are submitted online through the official foundation website. Applications for the 2026 academic year became available starting December 1, 2025. The standard deadline for most scholarships is June 1, with the Lynn Fortna program offering an additional December 30 deadline.
To access all current scholarship applications and eligibility information, visit the HHYF Scholarships and Opportunities page. All four scholarships are listed there with direct links to each individual application.
If you have any questions about a specific scholarship or are unsure which one applies to your situation, you can reach the HHYF office directly. Executive Director Ellen Taylor is the primary point of contact for all scholarship-related inquiries. She can be reached by email at ellen@hhyf.org or by phone at (317) 908-0029.
Tips to Strengthen Your HHYF Scholarship Application
Applying for any scholarship takes effort and preparation. Here are some practical tips to help you put your best foot forward when applying for an HHYF scholarship.
Start Early
HHYF consistently encourages applicants to submit well before the June 1 deadline. Rushing at the last minute leads to mistakes, incomplete sections, and weaker essays. Give yourself at least four to six weeks to work through the application from start to finish.
Be Specific About Your Connection to Harness Racing
This is not a general scholarship for any student. It is specifically for those with a connection to harness racing. Be very clear and specific in your application about what that connection looks like for you. Whether you groom horses, help manage a stable, grew up at the track with your parents, or have attended HHYF summer programs, those details matter and help you stand out.
Tell a Real Story in Your Essay
Scholarship committees read hundreds of essays. The ones that stand out are the ones that feel real and personal. Do not write what you think they want to hear. Write about your actual experiences, your real goals, and what harness racing genuinely means to you. Authenticity is more compelling than polish.