Scholarships for Entering Colorado Resident Freshmen

Scholarships below are for resident, first-time freshmen admitted to a degree-seeking program on CSU’s main campus in Fort Collins.

  • All scholarships are for students starting in the fall or spring, unless noted otherwise;  scholarships are not awarded to students starting in the summer term.
  • Students must be degree-seeking through CSU’s main campus. CSU Online students are not eligible for these scholarships.
  • Students who have attended another college or university after high school graduation are not eligible.

Test Optional Update

ACT and SAT test scores will be optional for first-year students who graduate from high school in 2021 for admission purposes. More information about how this affects new merit scholarships for the 2021-2022 academic year will be forthcoming.

For more test-optional information, review Admissions COVID-19 FAQs.

Scholarships Awarded Based on the Application for Admission

Students do not need to complete a separate application for these scholarships, they are automatically considered based upon the information provided in their application for admission.

Merit Scholarships for Colorado Residents

Award Amount and Renewal

A total of $16,000 to $4,000 ($4,000 to $1,000 per year, half paid each semester-fall/spring) will be awarded to merit scholars who meet the selection and renewal criteria. Students may receive this award for up to a total of eight (8) semesters, or until their degree is complete, whichever comes first.

Eligibility

Academic criteria requirements have yet to be announced for the 2021-2022 academic year! More information will be forthcoming about how we will determine eligibility for merit scholarships.

To be considered for an award, student must be admitted to a full-time degree seeking program on Colorado State University’s main campus for the fall or spring terms. CSU Online students are not eligible.

Students must also submit a complete application for admission by the priority date of February 1. Students who met the February 1 application date can submit new test scores and transcripts until May 1 to strengthen their scholarship eligibility.

Note: Boettcher Scholars, finalists and semifinalists; National Merit finalists who list CSU as their first-choice institution with the National Merit Scholarship Corporation; National Hispanic Scholars and National Achievement Scholars who do not meet these criteria, will receive a Green and Gold Scholarship for Residents.

Alliance High School Partnership

Award Amount and Renewal

The Alliance High School Partnership Award will be $20,000 ($4,000 per year for a maximum of five years).

Students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and document financial need may qualify for grants up to the student’s share of Colorado resident tuition and fees, which may be met by the Colorado Tuition Assistance Grant. Students must submit a complete application for admission by the February 1 priority date, as funding may be limited, and be admitted as a new Colorado-resident, first-time freshman.

Eligibility

To be considered for the Alliance Partnership Award students must be a graduate of an Alliance High school and:

  • Be admitted to a full-time degree seeking program on Colorado State University’s main campus for the fall term. Students starting in the spring or summer terms are not eligible.
  • Submit a complete application for admission by the priority date of February 1. Admitted students can submit new test scores and transcripts until March 1 to strengthen their application for admission, however, funding may be limited after February 1.
  • Graduates from an Alliance high school who transfer to CSU may be eligible for a scholarship. See Partnership Award under Transfer Scholarships for criteria.
  • CSU Online students are not eligible.

Students who have been involved with multiple CSU Partnership organizations will receive only one Partnership Award.

Alliance High Schools

  • Adams City High School
  • Centauri High School
  • Fort Lupton High School
  • Hinkley High School
  • John Mall High School
  • Montezuma-Cortez High School
  • Pueblo Central High School
  • Rocky Ford High School
  • Sierra High School
  • Trinidad High School

Honors Scholarship

Award Amount

A total of $4,000 ($1,000 per year) will be awarded to students who are admitted to, and participate in, the University Honors Program.

For more information about the Honors Program, please visit the University Honors Program website.

Partnership Award

Award Amount

A total of $12,500 ($2,500 per year for up to 5 years) will be awarded to partnership scholars who meet the selection and renewal criteria. Students may receive this award for up to a total of ten (10) semesters, or until their degree is complete, whichever comes first.

Eligibility

  • Students must meet ONE of the following criteria:
    • Participated in one of the CSU Partnership Programs
    • Graduated from an Alliance High School (see details under Alliance High School Partnership)
    • Recipient of a Denver Scholarship Foundation scholarship
    • Graduate from Rangeview High School AND participated in the College Track Colorado program
    • Graduated from KIPP Denver Collegiate High School

    AND

  • Be admitted to full-time degree seeking program on Colorado State University’s main campus for the fall term. CSU Online students are not eligible and awards are not made to students starting in the Spring nor Summer terms.
  • Submit a complete application for admission by the priority date of February 1. Admitted students (who met the February 1 application date) can submit new test scores and transcripts until March 1 to strengthen their application for admission, however funding may be limited after February 1.

Students who have been involved with more than one organization but will receive only one Partnership Award.

Eligible students, who are offered an award, need to accept their award in the Financial Aid section of RAMweb.

Scholarships Requiring a Separate Application

Students must submit a separate application to be considered for these scholarships.

Creative and Performing Arts Award

Award amounts vary and are awarded to students with talent in art, creative writing, dance, music, or theater. To apply, contact the department from which you wish consideration.

Art: Department of Art
Undergraduate students majoring in art are eligible and are automatically considered
G100 Visual Arts, 1770 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1770
(970) 491-6774

Creative Writing: Department of English
Deadline: October of award year

359 Eddy, 1773 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1773
(970) 491-6428

Dance: Dance Program
Dance majors only. Auditions held during high school visitation days and the first week of the fall semester.

120 University Center for the Arts, 1778 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1778
(970) 491-5562

Music: Music Program
Auditions held with the faculty appropriate to instrument or vocal range. Preference given to music majors. Please contact the Music Program at the number listed above for the current schedule of Audition Days.

120 University Center for the Arts, 1778 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1778
(970) 491-5529

Theatre
Auditions or portfolio reviews held during high school visitation days with appropriate faculty and the first week of each semester. Theatre majors only.

120 University Center for the Arts, 1778 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-1778
(970) 491-5562

Colorado State University Scholarship Application (CSUSA)

Use the CSUSA to apply for scholarships from your academic college (your major), from the Office of Financial Aid, and from other departments on campus. The application is available on RAMweb on October 1 and the deadline is March 1. Students may apply for the following scholarships by completing the CSU Scholarship Application:

First Generation Award

$16,000 ($4,000 per year) awarded to students who demonstrate financial need, are admitted by March 1, have parents who did not receive bachelor’s degrees, and who meet all other eligibility criteria. The selection process is very competitive and there are a limited number of awards available. Please note the First Generation Award essay will not be available until December 1.

Monfort Scholarship

The Monfort Scholarship award amount includes the student’s share of tuition and fees, a room and board stipend and a book allowance. Students who meet the selection and renewal criteria may receive this award for up to a total of eight (8) semesters, or until their degree is complete, whichever comes first.

Eligibility

  • Submit a complete application for admission by the priority date of February 1 and be admitted to a full-time degree seeking program on CSU’s main campus for the fall term. CSU Online students are not eligible and awards are not made to students starting in the Spring nor Summer terms.
  • Rank in the upper 5% of graduating class or #1 or #2 in a class of fewer than 40 students, and SAT combined critical reading and mathematics composite score of at least 1300 or ACT of 30.

Application Requirements

  • Complete the Colorado State University Scholarship Application (CSUSA).
  • The CSUSA is available online at RAMweb beginning October 1.  Login to ramweb.colostate.edu using your eID, then select the CSU Scholarship Application link in the Financial Aid section.
  • Complete the Monfort Scholarship section of the CSUSA including evidence of leadership, service to community and school, and outstanding character.
  • The Monfort scholarship requires two additional letters of recommendation. These must be postmarked by March 1.

For more information, visit the CSUSA as soon as possible on or after December 1.

Scholarships from Your College

Your college may require letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc. For further information, visit your CSUSA as soon as possible on or after October 1. Contact the Dean’s Office of your academic college listed below if you have questions.

Fostering Success Scholarship

Students who have been invited to participate and/or are meeting minimum program participation requirements of the Fostering Success Program are eligible to apply for the Fostering Success Scholarship. Be sure to complete the Fostering Success section of the CSUSA.

Other criteria include demonstration of financial need as determined by the results of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), minimum GPA of 2.0 (high school if entering student, CSU GPA if currently enrolled), full-time, and any major or college. Preference given to undergraduates although graduate students may apply.

Additional Scholarships in the CSUSA

A complete list of scholarships available through the CSUSA is on available on colostate.academicworks.com.

Alumni Association Scholarships

There are a variety of Alumni Association scholarships available to students at Colorado State University. Visit the Alumni Association for further details.