Scholarships for Colorado

3 days left!

Outstanding Colorado Students Award

Due: 3/15/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
$1,000
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3 days left!

Colorado Council Volunteerism/Community Service Scholarship

Due: 3/15/26
$1,500
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3 days left!

Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship

Due: 3/15/26 No min. GPA Required
$50,000
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3 days left!

Noah Thomas Foster Memorial Scholarship

Due: 3/15/26 No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
$1,500
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3 days left!

Christina M. Hixson Scholarship in Business

Due: 3/15/26 No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required
$5,000
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ASM Global Stars Scholarship Program

Due: 3/25/26
$2,500
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State Line Grant

Due: 4/1/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required
$2,500
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The Alexander Foundation Scholarships

Due: 4/4/26 No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
$3,000
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Alfred Camp Memorial Scholarship

Due: 4/11/26 No essay No Recommendations Required No min. GPA Required No Transcripts Required
$1,000
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Key things to know about Colorado scholarships

  • Colorado scholarships are free money for school. They can help cover tuition, fees, books, and other education costs without needing to be repaid.
  • There are options beyond freshman year. Colorado scholarships can support high school seniors, current college students, transfer students, and adult learners.
  • You can often stack awards. Many students combine state programs, aid from their school, and private scholarships to reduce total costs.
  • Grades aren't the only path. Some scholarships use GPA or test scores, but others look at leadership, service, identity, major, or financial need.
  • Consistency pays off. Applying for a few scholarships each month can add up to major savings over time.

Paying for college can feel overwhelming. That's why maximizing free money you don't have to pay back—like scholarships and grants—should be part of your funding plan. If you live in Colorado, you have access to scholarships created specifically with Colorado students in mind.

The time you spend applying for Colorado scholarships can make a big difference. Sallie Mae’s How America Pays for College 2025 found that 75% of students who received a scholarship said it made college possible. Whether you are in high school, already in college, or heading back to the classroom after time away, scholarships can help you reduce what you pay out of pocket or borrow.

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What are Colorado scholarships?

Colorado scholarships are financial awards that help students pay for college, career training, or other eligible education programs. These awards can come from many different places, including colleges and universities, nonprofit organizations, local foundations, employers, and community organizations.

Unlike student loans, scholarship funds do not need to be repaid. While some awards are based on grades or test scores, many Colorado scholarships also consider factors like:

  • Community service, leadership, or extracurricular involvement
  • Your intended major, field of study, or career interests
  • Colorado residency or a particular city, county, or region
  • Identity-based criteria or connection to a specific community
  • Career and technical education or workforce training pathways
  • Artistic, athletic, or technical talents

Because eligibility can vary widely, students with many different backgrounds and goals can find Colorado scholarships that fit.

What scholarships are available for Colorado students?

Most students have better results when they apply to multiple types of aid at once—state programs, local awards, and private scholarships. Colorado scholarships generally fall into a few broad groups: awards from colleges, local and community-based scholarships, and private or employer-sponsored programs.

To explore options that match your background, interests, and goals, you can use tools like Scholly Scholarships to find opportunities in Colorado and across the country.

Colorado College Opportunity Fund (COF)

The Colorado College Opportunity Fund (COF) provides a per-credit-hour stipend that eligible Colorado residents can apply toward tuition at participating Colorado colleges and universities. Students typically confirm eligibility and authorize the stipend through their school, so it helps to review your student portal and financial aid checklist early.

Because COF rules can vary by school and term, confirm how your institution applies the stipend and whether there are any timing steps before registration.

Colorado Promise

Colorado Promise can help reduce or cover tuition for eligible students, often through participating institutions or statewide initiatives tied to income and enrollment requirements. These programs may be especially helpful for students pursuing certificates, associate degrees, or workforce-focused pathways.

If you are unsure whether your school participates, ask your financial aid office what Promise funding is available and what forms—like the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®)—are required.

Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship

The Sachs Foundation Undergraduate Scholarship supports eligible students pursuing higher education, often with a focus on Colorado students from historically underserved backgrounds. Awards may consider academics, leadership, service, and long-term goals.

Deadlines and eligibility criteria can change year to year, so review requirements early and prepare references and essays ahead of time.

Colorado Masons’ Benevolent Fund Scholarship

The Colorado Masons’ Benevolent Fund Scholarship is a private scholarship opportunity that may provide substantial support for qualifying Colorado students. Because larger awards can be more competitive, it helps to apply early and submit a complete, well-documented application.

If a current deadline is not listed for the cycle you are applying in, check the sponsoring organization’s updates or contact them directly for timing.

Denver Foundation Scholarships

The Denver Foundation administers multiple scholarship funds that support Colorado students, including opportunities tied to the Denver metro area, specific high schools, majors, or community involvement. Many students find success by applying to foundation-managed umbrella applications when available.

If you live near Denver or attend school in the area, also watch for smaller local funds that may have fewer applicants.

Colorado PTA Scholarships

Colorado PTA scholarships may support students involved in their school communities, with eligibility that can vary by local PTA, district, or program sponsor. These awards can be a strong match for students who demonstrate leadership and community engagement.

Because PTA opportunities can be highly local, check both statewide PTA announcements and your school community’s PTA communications.

SWE Rocky Mountain Engineering Scholarships

SWE Rocky Mountain Engineering Scholarships can support students pursuing engineering or related STEM pathways. Applicants may be evaluated on academics, involvement, and professional goals, especially those aligned with engineering careers.

If you are early in your program, focus on building a clear resume of projects, leadership, and technical interests to strengthen future applications.

Celebrate the West Art Competition

Celebrate the West Art Competition scholarships reward student artists, often recognizing creativity, technique, and artistic voice. These opportunities can be a great fit for students building a portfolio for art school or creative majors.

If you apply, invest time in selecting your strongest work and presenting it professionally, including clear images and thoughtful descriptions where required.

Local and community scholarships in Colorado

Local scholarships can be less competitive because they are limited to a specific city, county, district, or community group in Colorado.

Local scholarships may be offered by:

  • Community and regional foundations
  • City or county agencies and organizations
  • Cultural, heritage, or civic groups
  • Labor unions and professional associations
  • Local employers and small businesses

Institutional scholarships from Colorado colleges

Many Colorado colleges automatically review applicants for institutional scholarships as part of the admission process, while others require a separate application. These awards may be based on academics, major, leadership, or other factors like talent or special involvement.

Students attending institutions such as the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, or the Community College of Denver may qualify for institutional scholarships through their financial aid offices.

Still exploring your options? You can compare programs, costs, and average financial aid packages with Scout College Search.

Additional financial aid resources in Colorado

Alongside Colorado scholarships, there are programs that function as grants or tuition support rather than traditional scholarships.

Colorado Student Grant

The Colorado Student Grant is a need-based state grant that may help eligible Colorado residents reduce the cost of attendance at participating schools. Because grant eligibility often relies on financial need, completing the FAFSA® early is usually a key step.

If you are unsure whether your school participates or how award amounts are determined, contact your financial aid office for program specifics.

Scholly Scholarships

Find scholarships that are right for you

Easily search through thousands of college scholarships based on your background, major, state you live in, and more.

Hot tip! Smaller scholarships may have less competition, increasing your odds of winning.

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How to apply for Colorado scholarships

Breaking the process into smaller pieces can make applying for scholarships feel more manageable.

  1. Pull together key documents early, such as your transcript, activity list, resume, and a basic personal statement.
  2. Make a list of scholarships that fit your background, major, and goals, focusing on both statewide and local programs.
  3. Work through a few applications at a time so the process stays consistent but not overwhelming.
  4. Submit the FAFSA® so you can be considered for need-based scholarships, grants, and other aid. For help, check our step-by-step FAFSA® guide.
  5. Use a calendar, spreadsheet, or checklist to keep track of application requirements and deadlines.
  6. Read instructions carefully and double-check your application before you hit submit.

Looking for a faster way to get started? With Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships, you can use a single application to apply to multiple scholarships at once.

Eligibility requirements for Colorado scholarships

Each program sets its own rules, but many Colorado scholarships share common eligibility requirements, such as:

  • Proof of Colorado residency (for certain state and community-based programs)
  • Enrollment or planned enrollment at an eligible Colorado college, university, or training program
  • Meeting minimum GPA or academic progress standards for merit-based awards
  • Choosing a specific major, concentration, or career pathway
  • Demonstrating financial need (for need-based scholarships and grants)
  • Documented community service, leadership, or extracurricular involvement

How can I improve my chances of winning scholarships?

  • Mix large and small scholarships.
    Big awards are appealing, but smaller scholarships often receive fewer applications, and several smaller wins can add up.
  • Tune your scholarship essays to each opportunity.
    Reusing core stories is fine — just tailor your essay so it clearly connects to the scholarship’s mission and values.
  • Request letters of recommendation early.
    Giving teachers, counselors, or supervisors more time usually leads to stronger, more detailed letters.
  • Showcase your impact.
    Highlight long-term involvement, leadership roles, and specific ways you have contributed to your school or community.
  • Complete the FAFSA® as soon as you can.
    Some forms of state and institutional aid are limited and may be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

More scholarship resources

Colorado students can use these resources to locate scholarships that align with their major, experiences, and long-term plans.

Your next steps

Colorado scholarships can play a major role in making college, grad school, or career training more affordable. By combining state programs, institutional aid, local awards, and private scholarships — and by applying on a regular basis — you can lower how much you need to spend out of pocket or borrow.

To keep your search moving, look at monthly opportunities like Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships, the $2,000 No Essay Scholarship, and the $5,000 No Essay Grad School Scholarship. These low-effort options can help you start applying, even if you are short on time.

To explore scholarships tailored to your state, background, and interests, search using Scholly Scholarships.

FAQs about Colorado scholarships

What scholarships are available for Colorado students?

Colorado students can explore programs like the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF), promise-style programs, Sachs Foundation scholarships, Denver Foundation scholarship funds, and private awards, along with institutional and local opportunities across the state.

What is the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF)?

The Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) provides an eligible Colorado resident stipend that can be applied toward tuition at participating schools, usually after you authorize it through your college.

What is the Colorado Student Grant?

The Colorado Student Grant is a need-based state grant that may help eligible residents reduce college costs at participating institutions, and many students need to complete the FAFSA® to be considered. 

Are there scholarships for low-income students in Colorado?

Yes. Many need-based scholarships and grants use FAFSA® information to determine eligibility. Filing the FAFSA early can help you qualify for more aid. 

Are there easy scholarships Colorado students can apply for?

Some scholarships have shorter applications or no essay requirements. You can also look at options like Scholly Easy Apply Scholarships, which let you apply to multiple scholarships with one streamlined application. 

Can I combine Colorado scholarships with college financial aid?

Often, yes. Many students stack private scholarships with institutional awards, but some schools may adjust need-based aid when outside scholarships are added, so check with your financial aid office. 

What scholarships are available for Colorado students attending community college?

Community college students can qualify for local scholarships, institutional awards, and some statewide programs depending on enrollment and eligibility. Check your school’s financial aid office and local community organizations for opportunities.

Need more money for college?

Private student loans can help you cover additional costs for school.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. See Official Rules and Entry Periods on each scholarship page.

FAFSA® is a registered service mark of U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.