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Excelsior Scholarship (UA1) Grant

The Denver Foundation

Funding Amount

Up to US $5,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • An individual can receive a scholarship from this fund for a maximum of five years.

Geography

  • Must be a resident of Colorado.

Other requirements

  • Have a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point average.
  • Must enroll 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 vocational/technical school, it must be a technical skill training program at an accredited or recognized institution and earn a certificate/certification or a professional license.
  • Awards can be used for tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, health insurance, and supplies.

Not eligible / not funded

  • Not eligible: Renewal is not automatic for this award.

Overview

The Excelsior Scholarship (UA1) is designed to support academically successful Colorado residents from low-income backgrounds pursuing education at accredited institutions. The scholarship, which can provide up to $5,000 annually, aims to bridge financial gaps for students enrolled in vocational/technical programs or colleges. Selection is based on academic performance, leadership, and financial need, with a maximum scholarship duration of five years. Emancipated youths and previous recipients are especially encouraged to apply.

The Excelsior Scholarship Fund was created to help bridge the financial gap for academically excelling college and vocational/technical school bound students who come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who excel academically.
Selection
Scholarships will be awarded once each year through a competitive process based on academics, extracurricular activities and leadership, financial need, and scholastic potential.
Additional information
Scholarships amounts will vary. Award amounts can be up to $5,000 per year based on the strength of the student application and their unmet financial need.
Typical Scholarship Range:
Up to $5,000 for 4-year institutions. Up to $4,500 for vocational/technical schools.

Eligibility

Must be a resident of ColoradoHave a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade point averageMust enroll at an accredited vocational/technical school, community college, or college/university (public or private) in the upcoming academic yearIf you are going to enroll in a vocational/technical school, it must be a technical skill training program at an accredited or recognized institution and earn a certificate/certification or a professional licenseAwards can be used for tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies, health insurance, and supplies.Awards must be used for the upcoming academic year.  An individual can receive a scholarship from this fund for a maximum of five years.

Ineligibility

Renewal is not automatic for this award.

What The Denver Foundation actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2024

Grants in 2024
1,184
Total given
$131.69M
Median grant
$27K
Range
$5,100–$25M
  • By dollars: Colorado 58%, Pennsylvania 19%, California 6%. Top recipient cities: Denver, CO; Aurora, CO; Boulder, CO.
  • <1% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
  • 31% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

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    $2.65M

  • Regents of the University of California at Berkeley · Los Angeles, CA

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    $2.18M

IRS Form 990, 2024. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Education

Categories

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