Are you a top student within your Colorado high school? If so, in addition to Colorado’s many Honors Programs, there are many scholarships available for you! Some cover full tuition, room, board, books, plus a stipend, and some provide a network of highly accomplished friends, colleagues, and lifetime connections that can launch your career.
Colorado Full Ride Scholarships
Perhaps the best known and most prestigious scholarship program for top Colorado students is the Boettcher Foundation Scholarship program. The Boettcher Foundation has given more than $110 million since 1952 to some of Colorado’s brightest student leaders and scholars. Boettcher strives to keep the state’s best and brightest here in Colorado for education, and careers: “We need our most dynamic thinkers, doers, and difference makers to stay in Colorado so they can positively impact their communities across state.”
Boettcher scholars receive funds to cover tuition, room and board, Boettcher campus enrichment opportunities, additional education grant opportunities, and an opportunity for funds for study abroad. Additionally, Boettcher hosts several annual events to bolster friendships and connections among the scholars and alumni at a variety of annual events, including the annual holiday party at the Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion. Boettcher awards up to 50 scholarships per year.
Not only do students receive financial support through college, but they are also welcomed into the well-connected network of Boettcher alumni. They sponsor various programs that strive to keep this network connected for life.
Next, If you are interested in going to the Colorado School of Mines, the Harvey Scholarship Program and the newly formed Grewcock Presidential Scholars Program are excellent opportunities for high-achieving students. The Harvey Scholars Program was established in 2009, covers full tuition and fees for 4 years, including field work if appropriate, and can be extended up to 5 years for double majoring or completing a Master’s degree. The Program awards this scholarship to 12 in-state or out-of-state students each year. The Harvey Family Foundation sponsors this scholarship opportunity, with a focus on “pay it forward”.
The Grewcock Presidential Scholarship Program was created by the largest single donation ever received by Mines – a $30 million donation from Debra and Bruce Grewcock ’76, in 2020. It not only covers four years of tuition and fees at Colorado School of Mines for 10 new students each year, but it also creates a close-knit community with frequent programming, retreats, and events. Grewcock scholars also get coaching and advising on leadership skills and real-world immersive experiences.
Grewcock Presidential Scholarship Program
Colorado State University offers the prestigious Monfort Scholarship that covers tuition, fees, room and board, and a book stipend for 8 semesters or until they finish their degree.
Also offering a full-ride scholarship for 4 years for an incoming freshman from Colorado attending any of the publicly-funded Colorado colleges or universities is the Colorado Garden Foundation Full-Ride Scholarship. The purpose of this scholarship is to fund students in agriculture and plant biology related fields.
Colorado Garden Foundation Full Ride Scholarship
“Free Money” Scholarships
In addition to these top-notch, full-ride scholarship opportunities, there are millions of dollars awarded to many Colorado students each year. Most of these scholarships provide $500 – $1000 or even up to $10,000+ per year. While this amount will not cover the full costs of tuition, room and board, the awards are plentiful and the money helps!
Oftentimes the most likely-to-win scholarships are those most specific to YOU. Once you know where you want to go to college, start by looking at that university’s scholarship and Financial Aid webpages. Or look for scholarships that are specific to your academic interests, activities or background. One thing to remember when searching for scholarships, you will never have to pay for the opportunity to apply for scholarships.
Check out the links below as you search for scholarships:
Elks
“The Elks National Foundation awards 500 competitive, four-year scholarships ranging from $1,000/year to $12,500/year. Applicants do not need to be related to a member of the Elks. Applicants will be judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need.
DAR
University of Colorado CU:
https://www.colorado.edu/scholarships/
https://colorado.academicworks.com
https://www.wemakescholars.com/university/university-of-colorado-boulder/scholarships
Colorado State University (CSU):
https://financialaid.colostate.edu/scholarships-for-incoming-colorado-resident-freshman/
https://colostate.academicworks.com
https://financialaid.colostate.edu/scholarships/
Colorado School of Mines
https://finaid.mines.edu/scholarships/
University of Denver (DU):
Colorado College:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/admission/financialaid/scholarships.html
Colorado Community Colleges:
https://cccs.edu/foundation-for-colorado-community-colleges/scholarships/
Colorado Mountain College:
https://coloradomtn.edu/scholarships/
Colorado Mesa University:
https://www.coloradomesa.edu/financial-aid/scholarships/index.html
UC Denver:
https://www.ucdenver.edu/student-finances/scholarships
Fort Lewis College:
https://www.fortlewis.edu/tuition-aid/scholarships/scholarships-home
Scholarship Clearinghouse Lists:
https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/colorado-scholarships/
https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/top-full-ride-scholarships/
https://www.listsofscholarships.com/state/colorado-scholarships/
https://www.smartscholar.com/scholarships/colorado-resident-scholarships/
https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/by-state/colorado-scholarships
