Scholarships

The Center for Cultural Connections & Community offers several scholarships to support 鶹ѰBoulder students. Each award has its own purpose, eligibility criteria and application process.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify or have questions, reach out to our staff—we’re here to help.

Application timeline:
With the exception of the First Generation Scholarship, all scholarships listed are open Dec. 1–March 15 and can be found in the 鶹ѰBoulder Scholarship Application.

Award: $500

This scholarship honors Cleo Estrada—a 鶹ѰBoulder alum, counselor and longtime advocate for social justice—and supports students committed to equal rights for marginalized communities.

Eligibility:

  • Current undergraduate 鶹ѰBoulder student
  • Have a completed FAFSA/CASFA
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Strong, consistent commitment to social justice

Award: $2,500

This scholarship honors Dorothy Martin, a longtime 鶹ѰBoulder faculty member who helped establish the first 鶹ѰWomen’s Center, and supports students engaged in gender equity and activism.

Eligibility:

  • Current full-time undergraduate or graduate 鶹ѰBoulder student
  • Commitment to women’s issues, gender equity, activism and personal growth
  • Strong academic performance

This scholarship supports undergraduate students involved with the Center for Cultural Connections & Community and recognizes commitment to Asian culture, education or history.

Eligibility:

  • Undergraduate student in good academic standing
  • Graduate of a Colorado high school
  • Participation in Center programs
  • Written piece about the meaning of friendship
  • Personal essay demonstrating commitment to the Asian community and/or Asian culture, education or history

This scholarship supports students who receive financial aid and demonstrate strong academic achievement, with an emphasis on commitment to Asian culture, education or history.

Eligibility:

  • Be a current undergraduate student
  • Demonstrate high scholastic performance
  • Demonstrate Financial Need according to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or CASFA
  • Personal essay demonstrating commitment to the Asian community and/or Asian culture, education or history

Award: $1,000

The Joel Roger Wayne Scholarship was established to ensure that those with financial need could complete their degree, especially if they have lost financial support from their family. Those with a strong history of involvement and/or advocacy with the LGBTQ+ community.

Eligibility:

  • Current undergraduate 鶹ѰBoulder student
  • Based on financial need (you do not need to be financially cut off to apply)

Award: $1,000

This scholarship honors Dr. Karen Raforth’s longtime advocacy for the LGBTQIA community and supports students who show leadership in advancing LGBTQ+ rights.

Eligibility:

  • Full-time undergraduate or graduate 鶹ѰBoulder student
  • Demonstrated leadership, visibility and effectiveness in advancing LGBTQ+ rights or supporting marginalized communities

Award: $1,500

This scholarship supports academically strong students who work to make 鶹ѰBoulder more inclusive for students with LGBTQ+ experiences.

Eligibility:

  • Returning full-time undergraduate or graduate 鶹ѰBoulder student
  • Record of advocacy and involvement with the LGBTQ+ community
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA

Award: $2,000

This scholarship supports 鶹ѰBoulder undergraduates who help create a more welcoming environment for students with LGBTQIA experiences.

Eligibility:

  • Current undergraduate at 鶹ѰBoulder
  • Record of service supporting LGBTQIA community members
  • Preference for first-year students making satisfactory academic progress
  • Apply for the LGBTQIA Scholarship Fund

Award: $1,500

This scholarship supports students pursuing “human service” fields such as social work, teaching or nursing (excluding business), with awards based on financial need.

Eligibility:

  • Current full-time undergraduate or graduate 鶹ѰBoulder student
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
  • Must demonstrate financial need

Award amounts:

  • Residents: $4,000 per year
  • Nonresidents: $8,000 per year

The First Generation Scholarship is awarded to first-generation incoming first-year and transfer students who have significant financial need.

At 鶹ѰBoulder, a first-generation student includes:

  • Students whose parent(s) do not have a four-year college degree.
  • Students raised by a single parent who did not earn a four-year college degree.
  • Students attending college at the same time as their parent(s).
  • Students raised by individual(s) other than their biological degree-holding parent(s).
  • Students whose parent(s) earned degrees outside of the United States.

We understand this definition may not fully encompass all circumstances, and students are welcome to explain their situation in their scholarship application.

Deadlines:

  • First-year students: March 15
  • Transfer students: June 15