Colorado Excelsior Scholarship Fund

Name: Excelsior Scholarship

Award Amount: Up to $5,000 for four-year institutions; up to $4,500 for vocational/technical schools.

Information And Eligibility:
The Excelsior Scholarship Fund was established to bridge the financial gap for academically excelling students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Eligible applicants must be residents of Colorado with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Applicants should plan to enroll in an accredited vocational/technical school, community college, or college/university (public or private) in the upcoming academic year. For those enrolling in a vocational/technical school, the program must be accredited or recognized, leading to a certificate, certification, or professional license. Emancipated and/or foster care youth are highly encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Resident of Colorado.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• Planning to enroll at an accredited vocational/technical school, community college, or college/university (public or private) in the upcoming academic year.
• For vocational/technical school enrollees: Must be a technical skill training program at an accredited or recognized institution leading to a certificate, certification, or professional license.

Selection Criteria:

• Academic performance.
• Extracurricular activities and leadership.
• Financial need.
• Scholastic potential.

Application Requirements:

• Complete the Universal Application through the scholarship lifecycle manager.
• Provide a list of all extracurricular activities.
• Submit a transcript.
• Write two essays:
  • Describe what you would like to study in college, what inspired your interest in this area, and what you hope to achieve with this degree.
  • Where and how do you show leadership in your day-to-day life/activities?
• For reapplicants only: Write an essay on how this scholarship has impacted your goals and plans for your future academic, professional, and/or personal life.
• Provide one community reference.

Additional Information:

• Scholarship amounts vary, with awards up to $5,000 per year based on the strength of the application and unmet financial need.
• Funds can be used for tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, and health insurance.
• Scholarship awards will be paid directly to the recipient’s school and must be used for the upcoming academic year.
• Renewal is not automatic; however, previous recipients are encouraged to reapply. An individual can receive a scholarship from this fund for a maximum of five years.

Application Timeline:

• Opening Date: December 2
• Closing Date: February 28

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