Colorado Scholarships & Grants

In the state of Colorado, there’s plenty of scholarship and grant opportunities available to residents who are interested in furthering their education. One of the best places to begin your search is online.

You’ll find a list below of the different scholarships and grants that are out there including a brief description of what they are and who is eligible to receive them.

Prior to applying for either a grant or a scholarship, please complete and file your FAFSA first. It can also get you any state programs that are offered in addition to grants and scholarships.

Scholarships

Denver Scholarship Foundation

This scholarship fund offers need-based scholarships to graduates of the Denver Public Schools system that can be used at 39 Colorado post-secondary institutions including technical and community colleges, state colleges, universities, and private institutions.

You can receive up to $5,000 a year, which is renewable up to five years depending on what kind of college you’re planning to attend.

Here’s an example of what the DSF is looking for in eligible candidates:

For the 2009/2010 school year, you need to have:

• Been enrolled in a participating Denver Public High School on or before October 1st
• Graduated from that school
• Be eligible for financial aid
• Apply to the DSF by April 1st, 2009 and be able to meet all of the application deadlines and requirements
• Be enrolled at least half-time at a DSF-eligible school within a year of completing high school
• Complete all financial aid requirements for the college or PSI

These requirements should be pretty similar for the 2010/2011 school year. Visit the DSF Scholarship program policy for more information via their website.

Colorado Masons’ Benevolent Fund Scholarship

A committee called the Colorado Masons’ Benevolent Fund was created in 1966 which awards students for their leadership, maturity, need, and scholastic abilities regardless of race or sex. The only requirements for this scholarship are that you must be a graduating high school senior in Colorado and plan to pursue your college career in Colorado.

A student can earn up to $7,000 a year, which is renewable for four years.

Each year, six well-qualified individuals, including the chairman, select recipients with the Grand Master’s approval. The number of scholarships that are awarded per year is based on the earnings of the Benevolent Fund in addition to the fund’s Board of Trustees.

For more information on this scholarship, go to ColoradoFreemasons.Org.

LEAD Foundation Community Scholarship

This scholarship is sponsored by the LEAD Foundation for students who have learning disabilities or ADHD. Monies are rewarded to students who have worked hard and faced the daily challenges of having a learning disability as well as understanding the importance of self-knowledge and self-advocacy to overcome those challenges.

A student also must believe in contributing to society to raise awareness of learning disabilities (someone who will serve as a role model for other students who have learning disabilities).

You can learn more about this scholarship at the LEAD Foundation’s official website.

CollegeInvest Opportunity and Service Scholarships

The CollegeInvest Opportunity Scholarship awards 38 $1,000 scholarships every year to Colorado students. You must be an undergraduate enrolled full-time at any college or university and be in need financially. A random drawing is held to determine the winners.

The CollegeInvest Service Scholarship is a $6,000 award given to students who commit to community service involving children. Random drawings determine the winners just like the Opportunity Scholarship and you must be a full-time undergraduate with a low EFC.

You also have to be able to complete the service agreement upon receiving the scholarship money.

To learn more about how to apply, you can visit the CollegeInvest website by going to this link.

Team CIC Scholarship

High school seniors can win a $1,000 scholarship when they write an essay about Team CIC’s Umbrella of Success, which highlights the traits of people who are successful. These traits usually have a common theme that is centered upon the importance of education or identifying paths to success.

The application for this scholarship is due May 1st, 2010 and can be found online.

College in Colorado Scholarship

The College in Colorado Scholarship is available to high school students who live in Colorado, have a 2.5 GPA all throughout high school, and have completed the proscribed coursework according to the application requirements. Up to $1,500 is awarded to students in financial need (as determined by the FAFSA) who will be attending college in Colorado.

Colorado Council Volunteerism/Community Service Scholarship

The Colorado Council Volunteerism Community Service Scholarship helps Colorado high school seniors who want to attend a four-year college or university in the state. Eight students are chosen each year to receive $1,000 based on their community service records and a minimum 2.5 grade point average.

Colorado Northwestern Community College Scholarship

The CNCC Scholarship is awarded to students who have graduated in the top 16-25% of their class in high school. Up to $1,500 is awarded.

The CNCC Presidential Honors Scholarship is $2,000 with an on-campus dorm room and is given to valedictorians or salutatorians.

Additionally, as a bonus, as long as your GPA is above 3.0 and 3.25, you can renew the scholarships each year.

The Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship Foundation

Survivors of childhood cancer can apply for the Stephen T. Marchello Scholarship which is funded to high school graduates from Arizona, California, Colorado, and Montana. Awards are usually $1,000 or more.

Profession-Based Scholarship

Students planning on studying horticulture, floriculture, turf grass management, landscape horticulture, plant pathology, botany, or landscape architecture/design can apply for the College Undergraduate Level Scholarship from the Colorado Garden and Home Show.

Each year, one award is given which will cover the student’s full tuition, books, and fees for a year at an accredited Colorado college.

Adult Continuing Education (non-traditional students)/Scholarships

Non-traditional students are students who do not fit the typical college student or applicant. They are typically adults aged 22 and older or re-entry students (students who leave school and come back later). Surprisingly, more adults and re-entry students are returning to school each year.

The Daniels Opportunity Scholarship is given to adults returning to college or GED recipients who plan to attend college in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming. The money is usually given out by the university and not the fund itself, so you’ll need to contact the school’s financial aid department for more information. You can learn more about this scholarship by visiting their website.

Grants

There are a few grants available to Colorado college students.

Colorado Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership (CLEAP)

The CLEAP is given to students who can prove they have substantial financial need. Federal and state dollars are matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1,000 per year. You need to be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours and complete your FASFA forms.

Colorado Student Grant

The CSG award is based on financial need and ranges from $500-$5,000. Eligibility is determined based on the applicant’s FASFA forms.

Colorado Student Undergraduate, Graduate, & State Student

These grants are available to state residents in financial need. Check with your guidance counselor or financial representative at your university or college for information and forms.

Hopefully, you’ve found this information educational and informative with some insights into the many scholarships and grants that are available to anyone planning on attending a college or university after successful completion of high school. The internet can be your friend when it comes to searching for just the right scholarship or grant to meet your needs.

Remember that it is never too late to start thinking about college — your best bet is to look into these financial opportunities as early as your 9th grade year.

Also, be sure to visit some of these other resources below for further information about these scholarships and grants mentioned above and others:

Colorado Department of Higher Education
Colorado Colleges

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