Colorado Scholarships and Grants for 2025 and 2026

Are There Full-Ride Scholarships in Colorado?

Yes, Colorado offers several full-ride scholarships for eligible students. These competitive awards typically cover tuition, fees, books, and living expenses for students attending in-state colleges and universities.

Top full-ride scholarships in Colorado include:

• Boettcher Foundation Scholarship: Offers a prestigious full-ride scholarship to the top 50 Colorado high school seniors each year. Covers full tuition, fees, books, and an annual living stipend at any Colorado four-year university. Selection is based on academic excellence, leadership, service, and character.
• Daniels Fund Scholarship Program: Provides comprehensive funding for college-bound seniors in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books, and more. Prioritizes students who demonstrate strong character, leadership potential, and financial need.

Tip: These programs are highly competitive, so prepare early with strong essays, recommendation letters, and community involvement.

What Scholarships Are Available for Undergraduate Students in Colorado?

Colorado offers a variety of scholarships for in-state undergraduate students attending public and private colleges. These include merit-based, need-based, and program-specific scholarships offered by both state initiatives and individual universities.

Examples of Colorado undergraduate scholarships:

• Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI): Provides need-based scholarships and support to low- and middle-income Colorado residents attending eligible colleges. Offered through community partners and institutions statewide.
• CU Boulder Esteemed Scholars Program: Offers renewable merit-based scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $10,000 per year for in-state students based on GPA and academic achievement.
• Colorado State University Green and Gold Scholarship: A merit award for Colorado residents entering CSU with a strong high school GPA (typically 4.0 or above). Awards are renewable for up to four years.
• Fort Lewis College La Plata Scholarship: Offers tuition support to academically strong in-state students with demonstrated leadership or community service.

Tip: Check your school’s financial aid or scholarship portal, as many awards are automatically considered upon admission, while others require separate applications.

What Scholarships Are Available for High School Students in Colorado?

High school students in Colorado can access a range of scholarships offered by statewide programs, community foundations, local businesses, and school districts. These scholarships may be merit-based, need-based, or tied to personal or family circumstances.

Examples of scholarships for Colorado high school students:

• Colorado Council on High School/College Relations Scholarship: Offers $1,500 awards to graduating seniors who demonstrate academic achievement and plan to attend a Colorado institution. Open to students who attend a participating Colorado Council College Fair.
• Pinnacol Foundation Scholarship: Awards up to $4,700 annually to students whose parents have been seriously injured or killed in a work-related accident. Open to Colorado residents pursuing a degree at a postsecondary institution.
• Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF): Provides need-based scholarships and college support for graduates of Denver Public Schools. Awards vary and may be renewable for up to four years.
• Community Foundation Scholarships: Local organizations such as the Community Foundation Boulder County and the Pikes Peak Community Foundation offer scholarships for students in specific counties or school districts.

Tip: Use local resources like your high school counselor and community foundations to find lesser-known scholarships with smaller applicant pools.

What Is the Colorado Student Grant?

The Colorado Student Grant is a state-funded, need-based financial aid program for eligible Colorado residents enrolled in undergraduate programs at in-state public or private colleges. Award amounts vary depending on financial need and available funding, typically ranging from $500 to over $5,000 per academic year.

Eligibility: Must be a Colorado resident, complete the FAFSA or CASFA, and demonstrate financial need.

What Is the Green and Gold Scholarship at Colorado State University?

The Green and Gold Scholarship is a merit-based award for high-achieving incoming freshmen at Colorado State University. It provides up to $10,000 annually—awarded based on GPA and standardized test scores (optional for some admissions cycles).

Eligibility: Must be an incoming freshman. No separate application is required—students are automatically considered upon admission.

What Is the Colorado Council Scholarship?

The Colorado Council Scholarship awards $1,500 to graduating high school seniors planning to attend a Colorado college or university. The scholarship rewards academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and community service.

Eligibility: Students must attend a Colorado Council college fair and submit an application. Selection is based on essays, GPA, and leadership.

What Is the Denver Scholarship Foundation?

The Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) provides need-based scholarships to graduates of Denver Public Schools. Awards are renewable and vary based on the cost of the institution, financial need, and academic progress.

DSF also offers extensive college access resources, including FAFSA workshops, college advising, and mentoring for high school and college students.

Eligibility: Must graduate from a DPS high school and attend a DSF-partner college or technical school in Colorado.

What Is the Pinnacol Foundation Scholarship?

The Pinnacol Foundation Scholarship supports Colorado students whose parents have been seriously injured or killed in a work-related accident. Recipients can receive up to $4,700 per year to help with college costs, and the scholarship is renewable.

Eligibility: Must be a dependent of a worker who was injured or killed while working for a Colorado-based employer and be attending a college, university, or vocational school in the U.S.

What Is the Boettcher Scholarship?

The Boettcher Scholarship is Colorado’s most prestigious merit-based scholarship, providing a full-ride to Colorado high school seniors attending an in-state four-year college or university. The award covers full tuition, fees, books, and a living stipend.

Eligibility: Must be a Colorado high school senior with exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. Application opens in September and closes in November.

What Is the Daniels Fund Scholarship?

The Daniels Fund Scholarship is a full-ride scholarship for students in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming who demonstrate exceptional character, leadership, academic potential, and financial need. It covers tuition, fees, room, board, books, and other college expenses at any accredited college or university in the U.S.

Eligibility: High school seniors from eligible states with demonstrated need and strong moral character. Application typically opens in September and closes in October.