Scholarship Resources
Scholarship Searches
Here is a non-exhaustive list (in no particular order) of some scholarship search engines that will help you find potential scholarships that you can apply for. Be sure to read through our Scholarships Scams section below to ensure that you are applying to legitimate scholarships!
- The Scholarship System
- College Gold
- StudentScholarshipSearch.com
- FinAid.org
- Scholarships.com
- ScholarshipHelp.org
- ScholarshipExperts.com
- U.S. Department of Education
- College Resource Network
- Scholarships360.org
Some general rules for a scholarship search are to begin in October or November, to look close to home, and to not give up if unsuccessful the first year. If you are an incoming freshman, look in your community, high school, and the college you will attend.
If you are currently attending college, look at Scholarships from your College, Office of Financial Aid, and the University as a whole. By April, most deadlines will have passed. If you are not awarded the first time, try again next year – don’t give up! Many scholarships are not available to entering freshmen but are available to upperclassmen.
Scholarship Tips
Here are a few scholarship tips that can help you get started in the right direction:
- Be organized and be honest!
- Follow instructions thoroughly and carefully
- Proofread your application.
- Apply for as many scholarships as possible.
- Apply for scholarships each year you attend CSU – some scholarships do not renew!
- Pay attention to deadlines – most scholarship deadlines are between December and April.
Be sure to complete the CSU Scholarship Application!
For even more tips, see:
Scholarship Scams
There are many scholarship searches available. Some of them are excellent sources of information and others are not reputable. Review information at Scholarship Scam Alert.
In addition, telemarketing scams are on the rise. Follow the following guidelines to protect yourself:
- Avoid answering calls from unknown callers.
- Many carriers now label known telemarketing numbers as scam calls in the caller ID function of your phone, but this isn’t foolproof. It is advisable to avoid answering calls from unknown callers (if you’re not expecting a call) and to instead allow them to leave you a voicemail. While you could be receiving a legitimate call from someone you trust, most people and businesses will leave a voicemail if their message is important.
- Be sure to ignore uninvited sales pitches, even from companies you already trust and do business with. You have no way to confirm their identity over the phone and caller ID can be faked. If you think you are receiving a call from a trusted person or business, use caution and/or follow tips in step #3.
- Do NOT give out personal information.
- Scammers are expert fishers. Sometimes they will try to use information they already have to get you to release even more personal information.
- Your best defense is to tell them nothing. Do not release your name, birthday, address, physical location, social security number, or even what color shirt you’re wearing. Every little bit of information you give to scammers can be a tool they use to harm you.
- Tell them you’ll call them back.
- If the caller insists they have to speak with you — for example, they say they’re from your bank and need to give you important information — tell them you will call them directly. At this point, fraudsters will often offer a phone number for you to call as proof they are who they say they are. Don’t believe them.
- Instead of accepting the phone number they offer, you’re much safer looking up the number independently. If the caller says they’re from a company you trust — such as a utility or phone company — you can also call the number on the monthly billing statement.
- Be extra alert.
- Even if you initiate the call, you might not be safe. Before you give any personal or financial information over the phone, check out the company’s credentials — especially their website footer. The website footer is a place to showcase security certificates and copyright information to demonstrate to visitors that their website is trustworthy. You may also check with the Better Business Bureau.
- Take your time!
- Scammers often try to create a false deadline. If you feel pressured to make a decision, hang up or put them on hold and give yourself some time to do some research.
Credit: adapted from “Scams and Fraud” article Ron Burley
Note: Several Colorado State University students have recently received a mailing from College Financial Advisory. College Financial Advisory is not a federal, state, or University organization. The Office of Financial Aid at Colorado State University does not recommend scholarship searches that require a fee.
CSU Scholarship Application (CSUSA)
The CSU Scholarship Application (CSUA) is a competitive online scholarship application for many of the scholarships at CSU. Scholarships are available in all class levels (entering freshmen, undergraduates, transfer, 2nd bachelor’s, graduate and Professional Veterinary Medicine.)
Applications are reviewed based on your academic record as well as your answers to the questions on the application.
Scholarships Associated with CSU
There are a variety of scholarships offered to students at CSU – you can explore some of those options here!
Adult Learner and Veteran Services Scholarships
Adult Learner and Veteran Services offers several scholarship opportunities: Deb Peterson Outstanding Adult Student of the Year Award, Dream Scholarship for Single Parents, Pamela Zimdahl Scholarship for Single Parents, Don Banks Endowment for Veterans, David B. Greene Memorial Scholarship, Osher Re-Entry Scholarship, ALVS & CSU Bookstore Textbook Awards, and the Veterans’ Scholarship. Visit their website: ALVS
Air Force Reserve Office Training Corps (AFROTC) Scholarships
Four-, three-, and two-year scholarships available in various amounts up to and including student’s share of base tuition and fees, book allowance, and variable monthly stipend ($300-$500). Selection is based on academic record, major, extracurricular activities, and leadership potential. Must enroll in Aerospace Studies class. No active duty commitment/obligation until scholarship or incentive is awarded. Students are not required to be on scholarship to complete program. Freshmen and sophomores contact the Department of Aerospace Studies, 204 Military Science, (970) 491-6476.
Air Force Reserve Office Training Corps website.
Army Reserve Office Training Corps (ROTC) Scholarships
Two-year through 3 1/2-year merit based scholarships are available and cover full tuition and mandatory fees (regardless of state of residency), an annual book allowance of $1200, and a graduated tax-free monthly stipend of $300-$500 (amount depends on academic year). A limited number of four-year scholarships may be available for students enrolled in a 4 1/2-year or five-year academic program (example: Engineering). The minimum cumulative GPA for consideration is a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Selections are competitive and are based on academic record, participation in extracurricular activities, and demonstrated leadership over the previous three years. For additional information contact: Colonel (Retired) Pete Bleich at [email protected] or by phone at (970) 491-1640. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
- Other Available Financial Assistance: Non-scholarship contracts that provide the tax-free monthly stipend for up to 10 months per academic year, beginning as either a sophomore ($350/month) or a junior ($450/month), are available for students who do not receive or qualify for an ROTC scholarship, but maintain at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.
- Tuition assistance of up to $4500/year is available from the U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) or the Colorado Army National Guard through the Simultaneous Membership Program (SMP). Students who enlist in either the Army National Guard or Army Reserve and participate in the SMP will receive the tax-free monthly stipend (in addition to the tuition assistance) upon contracting with Army ROTC.
Bernard Osher Re-Entry Scholarship
Minimum requirements are:
- Ideally between 25 and 50 years old
- Working towards first bachelor’s degree (regular on-campus degree program; not online degree program)
- Minimum GPA of 2.75 for all college credits taken
- Minimum of 60 credits towards degree major
- At least 5 years cumulative gap in college enrollment
- Demonstrate financial need
- Anticipate workforce participation of at least 10+ years following graduation
The Osher Re-Entry Scholarship is applied for via the CSU Scholarship Application (CSUSA).
For more information, contact:
Adult Learner and Veteran Services
(970) 491-3977
Colorado State University’s Women’s Association Scholarships
($1,000—$3,000) All students are encouraged to apply. There are 10 different scholarships with varying criteria. To apply, complete the CSU Scholarship Application (CSUSA), available online beginning December 1. The deadline is March 1 at 11 p.m (MST). Go to RAMweb and login using your eID. Then select the CSU Scholarship Application link. Be sure to complete the CSU Scholarship Application.
Educational Opportunity Center
For currently enrolled students, contact the Educational Opportunity Center for individualized assistance, (970) 221-4421.
Gil Gutierrez Memorial Scholarship
The Gil Gutierrez Memorial Scholarship is awarded each academic year based on the following criteria:
- Applicants must be registered as a full-time student in an undergraduate degree program at Colorado State University. Applicants may be enrolled in any major and must be in good academic standing.
- Applicants may not have already completed a baccalaureate degree.
- Applicants must demonstrate financial need. The academic year FAFSA application must be on file with Colorado State University Student Financial Services.
- First Generation students meeting the above criteria will be given preference.
Current CSU students, especially first generation college students with financial need, are encouraged to apply by completing the CSU Scholarship Application.
Nationally Competitive Scholarship Programs
Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarship Programs, Colorado State University
Reisher Scholarship for Sophomore Students
- $4,000 – $11,000 annually for up to two years
- Be a Colorado resident
- Be enrolled as a full-time college student with an expected graduation date of three years from the date you are first selected as a Reisher Scholar
- Have 24-45 credits completed and maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher
- Show financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1st
- Deadline varies. Complete and submit the Reisher Scholarship Application by deadline on linked application.
Robert Noyce Scholarship
The Robert Noyce Scholarship is a conditional $10,000 scholarship per year for up to 2 years.
- Applicants must be enrolled as full-time Colorado State University students.
- Applicants should have a desire to become a middle or high-school teacher in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) field.
- Applicants must have completed at least 60 credits and be at least 1½ – 2 years from student teaching.
- Applicants must have and maintain a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA.
- Recipients must agree to teach in a designated high-need school district upon graduation; two years for each year of scholarship.
- Applicants must complete a Noyce Scholarship application form available on https://sol.natsci.colostate.edu/Noyce/. Scholarship applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on March 1. Award notifications will be announced by the end of April.
- Applicants must obtain two letters of recommendation (at least one must be from a CSU STEM faculty member).
Salazar Scholarship
Instructions for Scholarship Donors
Scholarships help make dreams a reality – When you invest in students, you expand opportunities for the next generation of thinkers, problem solvers, artists, and leaders. As a potential scholarship donor, please explore our page on resources that may be relevant to you!
Instructions on How to Send a Scholarship Check to CSU
New: All scholarship checks are processed by the Cashier’s Office. Their mailing address is listed below.
Please Provide Us with the Following Information:
- Student’s full name
- Student’s CSUID number, if known. (Do not include the student’s Social Security Number. In accordance with state and federal laws, Colorado State University has discontinued the use of Social Security Number as primary identifier for students. If Social Security Number is the only known identifier, use only the last 4 digits, e.g., xxx-xx-4321.)
- Student’s home address, if no CSUID number can be obtained
- Name of scholarship
- Contact person’s name
- Address and phone number of agency/contact person
- Is the scholarship for fall and spring semesters or one semester only? If the donor does not specify, we will split awards of $2000 or more between fall and spring semesters
Verifying Registration for Scholarships:
Students can verify registration for scholarships before the term begins by printing their registration schedules from RAMweb and submitting them to requesting entities accompanied by the Registration Verification Letter.
Send the Scholarship Payable To:
Colorado State University Cashier’s Office
6015 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523-6015
Note: We are unable to send grade transcripts to donors from our office. However, students can request an official transcript for a fee, or print an unofficial transcript via RAMweb. Go to RAMweb and login using your eID, then select Transcript (Official) or Transcript (Unofficial) under the Records section.
W9's for Scholarships
Some private scholarship providers may request a W9 Form if your award is over $600.