The Puksta Scholarship is so much more than financial assistance to undergraduates as they pursue their dream of a higher education. You will learn the necesary skills and tools to become a compassionate leader in your community. Your Puksta Scholar peers, your coordinator, your mentors and all those that are involved with the Puksta Foundation are there to help you through your college journey. They become your support system throughout these wonderfully challenging years, resembling what can only be described as a family.
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Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
Graduate from a high school in Colorado and be a Denver resident for at least six months prior to entering college
Demonstrate a passion for and commitment to civic engagement and social impact
Have financial need of up to 2.5× Pell Grant eligibility (SAI)
Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher while in the program
Attend one of the Puksta Foundation’s partner universities as a full-time undergraduate student
University of Colorado at Denver (CU Denver) Puksta Scholars Program
Scholarship Award: $6,500/year
Opens: December 1, 2025
Deadline: March 1, 2026
University of Colorado at Boulder (CU Boulder) Puksta Scholars Program
Scholarship Award: $6,500/year
Opens: November 1, 2025
Deadline: March 15, 2026
Colorado State University (CSU) Puksta Scholars Program
Scholarship Award: $7,500/year
Opens: November 1, 2025
Deadline: March 1, 2026
⚠️ Note: CSU’s Puksta Scholars Program is available to students after their first year at CSU. Incoming first-year students apply during their freshman year for entry as sophomores.
University of Denver (DU) Puksta Scholars Program
Scholarship Award: $7,500/year
Opens: January 11, 2026
Deadline: March 22, 2026
Metropolitan State University (MSU) Puksta Scholars Program
Scholarship Award: $6,500/year
Opens: December 1, 2025
Closes: March 15, 2026
Program Expectations
Program Expectations
While details vary slightly by campus, Puksta Scholars generally commit to:
Maintaining full-time enrollment and satisfactory academic progress
Actively participating in the Puksta Scholars community
Devoting an average of four hours per week to their Puksta Project
Attending required meetings, retreats, and program events
Completing program reflections, assessments, and annual renewal requirements
*The Puksta Scholarship is renewable for four years, as long as eligibility and requirements are maintained.*
Puksta Scholars Program
Puksta Scholars Program
The Puksta Scholars Program is a multi-year scholarship (up to four years, renewable) and leadership community that supports Colorado students who are committed to creating meaningful positive change and social impact in their communities. In addition to financial support, the program provides mentorship, community, and academic and personal support through a cohort-based experience that helps students turn their values into action.
Across all partner universities, Puksta Scholars are selected not only for academic promise, but for their demonstrated commitment to service, leadership, and community engagement. Scholars participate in a structured program designed to support their growth as thoughtful, compassionate change-makers while also helping them successfully navigate college life. More than 80% of Puksta Scholars are first-generation college students, and the program intentionally provides guidance, community, and advocacy to support students as they navigate higher education.
A central component of the program is the Puksta Project. Each scholar designs and carries out a sustained project that addresses the root causes of a social issue they care deeply about. Projects are expected to be thoughtful, impactful, and sustainable, and may focus on areas such as education access, health, housing stability, environmental sustainability, or other community-identified needs. Their first year is just researching the issues and exploring what they really want to work on, so they don't need to feel overwhelmed and pressured.
Puksta Scholars are supported by an experienced network that includes faculty and staff partners at their university, a dedicated coordinator or mentor, fellow scholars, and the Puksta Foundation. The program follows a cohort model and includes retreats, speakers, service opportunities, reflection, and collaboration across campuses.
About the Puksta Foundation
About the Puksta Foundation
Founded in 2000 as the legacy of Harry and Eva Puksta, the Puksta Foundation supports undergraduate students across Colorado through scholarships, mentorship, and community engagement training. Once selected, Puksta Scholars become part of a Puksta family — we are deeply committed to supporting scholars through all aspects of their lives and believe in their ability to succeed.
Additional information about the Foundation and current scholar projects can be found at:
Puksta Alumni, Chand Jiwani, shares her experience as a CSU Puksta Scholar!
Puksta Alumni, Chand Jiwani, shares her experience as a CSU Puksta Scholar!
The Puksta Foundation is a 501(c)3 educational foundation formed in 2000. We provide access to higher education to Colorado high school graduates. Our scholarship is based on financial need with a commitment to civic engagement and social justice.
The Puksta Foundation operates on 5 campuses across the state of Colorado providing grants to the University of Denver, Colorado State University, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Denver and Metropolitan State University. These grants fund a 4-year scholarship program at each university called the Puksta Scholar Program. We currently have 55 Colorado high school graduates in the program. As a requirement of our scholarship, each of our Puksta Scholars is actively working on a social issue of their choosing in their community to make our world a better place to live in and work in.
With over $5.2M of gifting over the past 26 years we now have over 318 Puksta Alumni around the world with many of them continuing their civic work that they began with Puksta. A college education is only part of one's learning opportunity. Participation in the community is the perspective that truly shapes individual lives. The Foundation encourages scholars to be engaged in the community and to commit time and energy to the betterment of Colorado.
Feel free to reach out to us with any questions by emailing puksta@pukstafoundation.org!
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