Scholarships

What are Scholarships?

Scholarships are money for college, trade school, or training programs that you don’t have to pay back. They can come from colleges, local businesses, nonprofits, or national organizations and are often based on things like:

Grades or test scores
Financial need
Activities (sports, music, clubs, leadership)
Your background, interests, or career goals

Note: The websites are listed as general, no-cost references only. WRHS does not endorse any website or company and suggests caution when users are asked to fill out an optional quiz or survey or any contact information as part of the website offers.

How to use this page?

Step 1: Start with the Featured Scholarships below.
Step 2: Check deadlines and eligibility carefully.
Step 3: Make a list of 3–5 scholarships to apply for this month.
Step 4: Ask the Career Coordinator or your counselor for help with essays, resumes, and letters of recommendation.

Featured Scholarships

Local & School-Connected Scholarships

The Denver Foundation

- Who it’s for: Eligibility requirements vary.
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: Most deadlines for this are in December and January.
- Notes: Click on the link to view the various scholarship opportunities available.

Colorado Masonic Scholarship and Vocational Grants Program

- Who it’s for: The only requirements for both the Scholarships and the Vocational Grants are that an applicant be a graduating senior in a public high school in Colorado and the he or she attend an institution of higher learning within the state of Colorado. Home school students who have a relationship with the local public school (band, sports, other activities) are also eligible.
- Amount: $7,000 per year
- Deadline: March 15th
- Notes: Click on the link to view the two options available.

Daniels Scholarship Program

- Who it’s for: A graduating senior and resident of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah or Wyoming. Have an unweighted GPA of 3.0+. Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Demonstrate financial need through Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less on the federal tax return on which the applicant is claimed as a dependent and review of other assets. If there are additional dependents, we allow for additional income. Have an ACT score of 18+ in each category OR an SAT Math score of 490+ and Reading & Writing score of 490+.
- Amount: Varies. Daniels Scholars can attend any accredited nonprofit college or university in the United States. Funds can be used for qualified educational expenses, including: Tuition and Fees, Room and Board, Books and Supplies, and Miscellaneous Educational Expenses.
- Deadline: October 17th
- Notes: Click on the link to find out more.

Ongoing / “Apply Anytime” Scholarships

These scholarships are open for longer periods or year-round. Great to keep on your radar.

Niche No Essay Scholarship – A simple, recurring scholarship open to all students. No essay required—students can apply once per month.

Private Scholarships

These private scholarships are open to a wide range of students, regardless of background. Some do not require U.S. citizenship, residency status, or a Social Security Number, making them accessible to many students who may not qualify for federal aid.

The Gates Millennium Scholarship - The Gates Scholarship (TGS) is a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding high school seniors from low-income households. Each year, the scholarship is awarded to exceptional student leaders, with the intent of helping them realize their maximum potential.
TheDream.US Scholarship – TheDream.US scholarships are for highly motivated undocumented students with or without DACA or TPS who want to get a college education but are unable to afford the cost. They have no access to federal aid, limited access to state aid, and they sometimes face paying out-of-state tuition. They offer two scholarships.
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation - The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

Scholarship Search Websites

Try these tools to find even more scholarships:

FastWeb – Fastweb is a free scholarship search platform that connects students to college scholarships, trade school scholarships, and financial aid news and resources.
Scholarships – Scholarships.com is a free college scholarship search platform that matches you to college scholarships you qualify for.
Big Future (CollegeBoard) – BigFuture by the College Board offers an easy-to-use scholarship search tool that helps students find thousands of verified scholarships & grants. It’s used nationwide and includes many private scholarships open to all students.

Tips for Winning Scholarships

Start early. Many big scholarships are due in the fall and early winter of senior year.
Stay organized. Keep a list of deadlines and requirements in a spreadsheet or planner.
Reuse your work. You can often adapt the same essay for multiple scholarships.
Ask for feedback. Have a teacher, counselor, or Career Coordinator review your essays.
Apply for smaller scholarships too. $250–$1,000 awards can add up quickly.
Don’t self-reject. If you meet most of the criteria, it’s usually worth applying.

Avoid Scholarship Scams

Be careful! A scholarship is probably a scam if:

It asks you to pay a fee to apply.
It guarantees you’ll win money.
It asks for very sensitive info (SSN, banking info) in the application.
The website or email looks unprofessional or suspicious.

When in doubt, check with your counselor or the Career Coordinator before submitting anything.

Need Help?

If you’d like help finding or applying for scholarships:

Visit: The Counseling Office - Room 146
Contact: Leslie Terlizzi
Email: Leslie.Terlizzi@jeffco.k12.co.us
Hours: Make an appointment on Calendly

We’re here to help you create a plan for college, trade school, or whatever comes next.

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