Colorado Scholarships

Incoming first-year and transfer students from WUE-eligible Western states who are admitted to the University of New Mexico are automatically considered for the Western Undergraduate Exchange Plus program. Eligible students need a 3.0 GPA or 20 ACT (1030 SAT). WUE Plus reduces non-resident tuition to the New Mexico resident rate, with a value of up to $23,149 per year. The award is renewable for up to four years with 15 credits and a 2.5 GPA each fall and spring semester. No separate scholarship application is required, but applying by your admission deadline improves consideration.

The Colorado Reciprocal Scholarship provides approximately twenty-three thousand one hundred forty-nine dollars per year in tuition reduction for Colorado resident entering freshmen at the University of New Mexico Main campus, allowing them to pay resident tuition rates. Students must be admitted by August 1 for fall or October 1 for spring with a 3.0 or higher GPA. Recipients must complete fifteen new credit hours with a 2.5 GPA each fall and spring semester. The scholarship renews for four years under UNM non-lottery scholarship policies.

Colorado students, primarily in the Denver metro and Front Range, can apply once through the TDF Scholarship Manager universal application to be considered for up to 25 donor funds in a single cycle. Named awards in the universal pool include Alma M. Poe, Columbine Memorial, McLoraine Opportunity, and others with varying amounts and criteria. The 2026-27 universal cycle ran December 15, 2025 through February 27, 2026. Additional scholarships outside the universal application have separate timelines. The Denver Foundation administers more than 80 scholarship funds awarding over $12 million annually.

Colorado students at partner institutions can apply separately from the universal application for this flagship transfer and sophomore-year scholarship. Rising sophomores apply by March 15; community college transfers entering as juniors apply by June 15. Awards range from $6,000 to $22,000 per year renewable toward cost of attendance, plus access to Talkspace mental health support. Applicants need strong academic records and financial need at one of the program's Colorado partner colleges. The Reisher Scholars Program is among Colorado's largest scholarship programs, administered by The Denver Foundation and the Reisher Family Foundation.

Merit- and need-based Reisher Scholars award for Colorado residents pursuing a four-year bachelor's degree at Colorado Mesa University. Continuing CMU sophomores and transfer students with junior standing may apply through the CMU Foundation scholarship portal after completing the FAFSA and general scholarship application, plus a Reisher-specific essay on how earning a degree will impact their life and community. Awards range from $6,000 to $22,000 for students who demonstrate financial need, enroll full time, and maintain a 3.0 cumulative CMU GPA. Transfer applicants need fifty-four to eighty-four completed credits by their first CMU semester. Priority deadlines vary by applicant type each spring.

Automatic WUE nursing award for incoming nonresident first-year students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents from a participating WUE state or territory, hold an unweighted GPA of 3.90 to 4.00, and are Pre-Nursing or Nursing majors. The scholarship covers 150% of resident tuition, saving about $16,339 per year for up to four years with full-time enrollment and a 3.00 renewal GPA. Construction Management, Radiological Science, alternative fee, and fully online majors are ineligible. Admission files must be complete by December 15 for fall.

Named Esteemed Scholars award for incoming Colorado-resident first-year students at CU Boulder with exceptional academic records. Selected applicants receive $7,000 per year, renewable for four years ($28,000 total), through automatic consideration from the admission application submitted by January 15. Recipients must enroll full time each fall and spring, maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, and meet financial aid satisfactory academic progress standards to renew.

Western Colorado Community Foundation's common application opens January 1 and closes February 15 each year, letting Colorado residents apply once for multiple donor scholarships across western Colorado and statewide funds. Awards support graduating seniors and current students attending accredited two- or four-year colleges, trade programs, and certificate paths with criteria varying by fund (GPA, field, county, financial need). Applicants use the online portal to submit transcripts, essays, and references; awards commonly range from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Graduating high school seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Utah, or select California counties may apply for the Greenhouse Scholars Whole Person College Program. Applicants need a 3.5+ unweighted GPA and household income at or below $80,000. Up to 37 scholars receive up to $5,000 per academic year in last-dollar tuition support over five undergraduate years, plus mentorship, professional networking, leadership training, internship support, flex funding grants, and community projects. Part 1 requires a short answer response; eligible applicants are invited to Part 2 with transcripts, test scores, two recommendations, four written responses, a five-minute video, and proof of income. Finalists attend in-person interviews. Semi-finalists and finalists complete a multi-stage application process.

Graduating seniors from accredited Colorado high schools who plan to attend a college or university may apply for the M.R. Hellie Memorial Scholarship. Applicants should show academic achievement, community involvement, clear personal and career goals, and financial need. The listed award is $5,000. The number of awards can vary with the applicant pool. Complete the scholarship application during the open period beginning in January and submit materials documenting academics, goals, and financial need by the due date. Decisions are typically announced in April.