Excelsior Scholarship Fund (High School Students)
The Excelsior Scholarship Fund was created to help bridge the financial gap for college-bound students. This opportunity specifically looks to support students who excel academically.
Eligibility:
Students who meet ALL of the following criteria are eligible to apply:
- Must be a high school senior graduating from a public high school in Colorado
Students identified as emancipated and/or foster care youth are highly encouraged to apply - Must be a resident of Colorado
- Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average
- Will be enrolling at an accredited vocational/technical school, community college, or college/university (public or private) in the upcoming academic year
If you are going to enroll in a vocation/technical school, it must be a technical skill training program at an accredited or recognized institution and earning a certificate/certification, or a professional license.
Selection: Scholarships will be awarded once each year through a competitive process based on the potential to succeed in college, financial need, academic achievement, and commitment to community and civic involvement.
Award: Scholarships of varying amounts will be awarded once each year through a competitive process. Award amounts can be up to $5,000 per year for 2- and 4-year institutions and up to $4,500 per year for vocational/technical schools based on the strength of the student application and their unmet financial need. Awards can be used for the following expenses depending on where you attend school:
2-year or 4-year Institutions:
– Tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, and health insurance
Vocational/Technical Schools:
– Tuition, fees, books, and supplies
Scholarship awards will be paid directly to the recipient’s school. Awards must be used for the school year and within one year of the award being granted to the recipient. Renewal is not automatic for this award, however, previous recipients are encouraged to re-apply in subsequent years. An individual can receive a scholarship from this fund for a maximum of five years.
Questions: Contact Charmaine Brown at cbrown@denverfoundation.org.
- Award
- Varies
- Deadline
- Supplemental Questions
- Are you a first-generation college student?
- Have been or are you currently in foster care OR considered to be an emancipated youth. If this section does not apply to you, please select "Does not apply to me".
- Confirmation of Foster Care Dependency. Skip this question if you selected "Does not apply to me" in the previous question.
- 1. Do you have a letter confirming your current foster care/emancipated status?
- 2. Please upload your letter from a Case Worker, Chafee Counselor, CASA, or Guardian ad Litem verifying your time in foster care. This letter must be written on professional letterhead and include the following information: verification that you were in the foster care system, date you entered the foster care system, total number of months in the foster care system, the advocate’s name, phone number and title, their relationship to you, and the length of time they have been your personal advocate.
- High School Information
- 1. Name of High School
- 2. City, State
- 3. Anticipated Graduation (Month, Year)
- 4. Current Cumulative GPA (unweighted)
- High School and College Transcripts - If you are still in high school or pursuing your GED, please submit transcripts from all the high schools you attended.
- List your top three college choices.
- I will attend
- FAFSA Information
- 1. Have you completed the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?
- 2. If yes, what date did you complete the FAFSA? (Month/Year)? Write "N/A" if this does not apply to you.
- 3. If yes, what is your EFC (Expected Family Contribution) listed on the first page of your SAR (Student Aid Report)? Write "N/A" if this does not apply to you.
- Non-FAFSA filers - Please answer the following questions if you HAVE NOT completed your most recent FAFSA application. If you submitted your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the previous question, DO NOT enter any information in the questions below.
- 1. What is your parent's marital status? (If you are over the age of 25 mark "n/a")
- 2. What was your Household Income (Adjusted Gross Income as reported to the IRS) for the last calendar year?
- 3. What is your anticipated household income for the current calendar eyar?
- 4. How many people are supported by the reported income listed (including yourself)?
- 5. What are the names, ages, and relationship of the individuals supported by the household income?
- 6. Of those listed in question #5, what is the number of people in your household who will be enrolled in a college degree/certification program for the upcoming academic year?
- Extracurricular, Volunteer and Community Service Activities - List the activities in which you have been involved during and after school. This may include sports, clubs, volunteer work/community service, student government, youth groups, etc. Include the type of activity, the dates you participated (from - to), the time spent (hrs/week), and your role, position or responsibility.
- Tell us why you want to attend college or technical school. What do you plan to study and why?
- What do you consider to be your three most important accomplishments (personal and/or academic) during the past year and why?
- Reflect on your personal story and share what it means to be resilient. How has this influenced your short and long term career goals?
- Reference: Please request a reference from someone who knows you well. This can be a teacher, advisor, employer, coach, or other adult who can speak about your leadership potential and engagement in the community, as well as your motivation level and potential for success in a college academic environment. You are responsible for ensuring that your reference completes this request prior to the scholarship application deadline. An email will be sent to your reference as soon as you fill in their name and email address and click save.
- [Optional] Please feel free to share any additional information you would like the committee to consider as it relates to the financial impact this scholarship would have on your education?
- How did you learn about this opportunity?
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