Pay It Forward Scholarship

The Pay It Forward Scholarship provides $60,000 over four years to worthy students to complete their undergraduate degree. There may be supplemental scholarships available to recipients to pay for enriching educational experiences beyond standard UCCS course work, including study abroad, educational conferences, or medial missions.

To qualify, you must:

  • Enroll full-time in a degree seeing undergraduate program.
  • Major in accounting, nursing, biology, biochemistry, math, computer engineering, computer science, computer security, electrical or mechanical engineering. Students following a pre-med path, which is not a major, are also encouraged to apply.
  • Be a Colorado resident.
  • Have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
  • Graduate from a Colorado high school.
  • Demonstrate significant financial need by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1st. Those with a SAI greater than $10,000 will most likely not qualify.
  • Preference will be given to students who worked during high school or who intend to work during college.

Applicants will be notified of scholarship results in April.

Award
$15,000.00
Category
Freshmen, Need Based, Nursing and Health Sciences
Deadline
03/01/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. The Pay It Forward Scholarship provides $60,000 over four years to worthy students to complete their undergraduate degree. There are supplemental scholarships available to recipients to pay for enriching educational experiences beyond standard UCCS course work, including study abroad, educational conferences, or medical missions.

    In a MINIMUM OF 400 WORDS and a MAXIMUM OF 1000 WORDS:

  2. How do you envision yourself "paying it forward" if you were to receive this scholarship?
  3. What excites you about your chosen major / minor?
  4. Why do you believe your chosen field of study is a good fit for you?
  5. How do you see yourself using your talent and education?
  6. In what ways do you have the "grit" to achieve your goals?
  7. What have you done in big or small ways to help someone less fortunate than yourself? How did this influence you?
  8. What character traits do you have? How will you use them to benefit others during college and in the future?
  9. Why have you chosen UCCS?
  10. Preference is given to students who work part-time during high school and intend to work during college. Briefly describe your work history and future plans. What have you learned by working part-time? <\li>
    Essays will be ranked based upon content, length, grammar, spelling, organized structure, and attention to detail. You are encouraged to write an essay that grabs the attention of the reader by being creative and using rich language.