Colorado School of Mines Merit Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

The Colorado School of Mines is dedicated to providing opportunities for students pursuing degrees and certificates by offering a range of undergraduate and graduate scholarships. These scholarships are funded through generous donations and institutional support. The school strategically uses scholarships to achieve enrollment goals, attract a diverse student body, and remove financial obstacles to education. This guide provides a detailed overview of the merit-based scholarships available at the Colorado School of Mines, outlining eligibility requirements, award amounts, and renewal criteria.

General Scholarship Information

The Colorado School of Mines encourages students to apply for all available scholarships to help fund their education. To maximize opportunities, students are encouraged to complete the General Scholarship Application as early as possible via the Scholarship Portal, accessible through my.mines.edu. Completing this application is a prerequisite for accessing many other Mines scholarships. The General Scholarship Application is not required for the Provost Award or President’s Scholarship. The priority date for completion is March 1st, and application review commences shortly thereafter.

Need-Based vs. Merit-Based Aid

It's important to understand the distinction between need-based and merit-based financial aid at Mines. Need-based aid is determined by evaluating a family's financial situation through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Merit-based scholarships, on the other hand, are awarded based on a student's academic achievements, leadership qualities, and other outstanding attributes. When applying for admission, students are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships.

Impact of Outside Scholarships

Receiving scholarships from sources outside the Colorado School of Mines generally does not reduce the amount of Mines scholarships awarded, unless the external scholarship is specifically designated for tuition and fees or if the total amount of aid exceeds the cost of attendance. However, outside scholarships may influence other need-based aid offered by Mines, as determined by the FAFSA.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students receiving financial assistance from federal, state, or Mines funds must maintain satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. This includes maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 and completing at least 75% of attempted credit hours. Failure to meet these requirements may result in termination of financial aid eligibility, although students can appeal this decision to the Financial Aid Office under extenuating circumstances.

Merit-Based Scholarships

The Colorado School of Mines offers a variety of merit-based scholarships to recognize and support outstanding students. Several of the most prominent of these awards are described below:

Provost Award and President’s Scholarship

When applying for admission, students have the opportunity to receive either the Provost Award or the President’s Scholarship. These awards are designed to help cover tuition and fees, with the specific amount varying based on residency status. If a student's residency status changes, the award amount will be adjusted accordingly.

Eligibility: Incoming first-year students.
Award Amount: Varies based on residency status.
Application: Automatic consideration upon application for admission.

Grewcock Presidential Scholarship Program

The Grewcock Presidential Scholarship Program is one of the most prestigious scholarships offered at the Colorado School of Mines. Established through a generous $30 million donation by Bruce Grewcock, a Mines alumnus, this program aims to educate the next generation of thoughtful industry and civic leaders. In addition to financial support, the program emphasizes intensive leadership development, multidisciplinary learning, and professional growth. The Grewcock Presidential Scholarship covers tuition and mandatory fees at the Colorado School of Mines, renewable for eight semesters.

The Grewcock Presidential Scholarship Program also funds extracurricular opportunities with national leaders, skill-building workshops, and group travel. The Grewcock Presidential Scholarship represents a tight-knit student community.

Eligibility: In-state and out-of-state first-year undergraduate students.
Coverage: Tuition and mandatory fees, renewable for eight semesters.
Additional Benefits: Leadership development, multidisciplinary learning, professional growth opportunities, extracurricular activities, skill-building workshops, and group travel.
Application: Requires completion of the Mines General Scholarship Application on the Trailhead account. Applicants will be prompted to complete their applications for foundation scholarships-including Grewcock. Applicants must complete four essay questions.
Interview: If selected, applicants will be invited to interview for the Grewcock Presidential Scholarship Program.
Leadership Experience: Prior leadership experience is not necessary to be considered for the Grewcock Presidential Scholarship.
Essay Questions: Applicants must complete four essay questions, focusing on leadership, problem-solving, and personal values.

Harvey Scholarship Program

The Harvey Scholarship Program is a competitive scholarship that pays tuition and mandatory fees at Mines (after the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF) stipend for Colorado residents). It is renewable for eight consecutive semesters, including one summer Field Session. The Harvey Scholarship is open to all first-year candidates for Fall admission. Prospective students must complete an application to be considered for the scholarship, and a select group of finalists will be invited to interview. The Harvey Scholars Program is administered by the PASCAL Center. Scholars are required to maintain good standing at the school and to fulfill scholarship expectations including attendance at monthly luncheons and participation in the application review process. In addition, scholars are eligible for an additional enrichment grant through an application process to augment their education.

Eligibility: First-year candidates for Fall admission.
Coverage: Tuition and mandatory fees (after COF for Colorado residents), plus an additional award for one summer Field Session.
Renewal: Renewable for eight semesters.
Application: Requires an application, and finalists will be invited to interview.
Additional Benefits: Enrichment grants available through an application process.

Starzer Service Scholarship Program

Established in 2012, the Starzer Scholarship Program supports students who demonstrate a commitment to service. Starzer Service Scholars receive financial awards ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 per academic year. To remain eligible for the scholarship, Scholars must maintain a 2.850 cumulative GPA as well as complete a meaningful service project with a local nonprofit or philanthropic organization. Please send questions to PASCAL.

Eligibility: Students who demonstrate a commitment to service.
Award Amount: $5,000 - $10,000 per academic year.
Renewal Requirements: Maintain a 2.850 cumulative GPA and complete a meaningful service project with a local nonprofit or philanthropic organization.

Bliss Scholarship Program

The Bliss Scholarship Program supports first-generation college students through wraparound support, one-on-one advising, and specialized professional development events through the PASCAL Center. Bliss scholars receive financial awards of $5,000 annually. Funds may be used for expenses including tuition, books, fees and room and board. The Bliss Scholarship is open to first-year and transfer students.

Eligibility: First-generation college students, both first-year and transfer students.
Award Amount: $5,000 annually.

Merit Awards for New First-Year Students

Merit-based assistance is offered to incoming first-year students to recognize them for their outstanding achievements. Awards to new first year students are made on the basis of their academic performance in high school as well as information on the admissions application such as outside activities.

Renewable Scholarships

Colorado School of Mines offers renewable merit-based scholarships to eligible students. These scholarships are renewable for a total of 8 consecutive semesters, equivalent to 4 years of fall/spring undergraduate coursework. The scholarship only applies to undergraduate tuition and fees.

Eligibility: Varies depending on the specific scholarship.
Renewal Requirements: Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 or 2.500, depending on the scholarship.
Award Amounts:
- For Colorado residents:
  - Provost Award: $1,000 to $2,000 annually.
  - President's Scholarship: $3,500 to $7,000 annually.

Other Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to the scholarships listed above, the Colorado School of Mines offers a variety of other scholarship opportunities, including:

Read also: The history of Colorado Mesa

Alumni Association Grants: Awarded to students who are children of alumni who have been active in the Mines Alumni Association for the two years prior to the student’s enrollment.
Engineers’ Day Scholarships: Available to Colorado residents.
Athletic scholarships: May be awarded to promising student-athletes in 16 men’s and women’s sports.
ROTC Scholarships: Available through Army, Navy, and Air Force ROTC programs for students interested in a military career. These scholarships can provide up to full tuition and fees, a book allowance, and a monthly stipend for personal expenses.

Departmental Scholarships

Continuing students may be recommended by their major department for scholarships designated for students from that department.

Maintaining Scholarship Eligibility

To maintain eligibility for merit-based scholarships, students must meet specific renewal requirements, which typically include:

Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA (usually 2.000 or higher).
Enrolling full-time (15 credits). If students attend less than full time, the award will adjust to actual tuition and mandatory semester fees after COF.
Fulfilling any additional requirements specific to the scholarship, such as participation in leadership development activities or service projects.

Students who fail to meet the renewability requirements of their scholarship may appeal to the Financial Aid Office to have their scholarship reinstated.

Additional Financial Aid Resources

Need-Based Financial Aid

Colorado School of Mines provides need-based financial aid, which is determined by the information submitted on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This tool takes into account your family's financial situation and gives you an estimate of the cost after factoring in financial aid.

Yellow Ribbon Program

Mines participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program for eligible veterans and their dependents.

Denver Scholarship Foundation

They also have a special program called the Denver Scholarship Foundation, which offers financial aid to select Denver Public Schools graduates.

Withdrawal Policies and Financial Aid

Students who withdraw from classes at the Colorado School of Mines should be aware of the potential impact on their financial aid. Federal regulations require financial aid to be awarded under the assumption that a student will attend the institution for the entire period in which federal assistance was disbursed. Students who withdraw from the university should contact the Financial Aid Office as part of the withdrawal process to determine what effect this will have on their financial aid. Financial aid is not considered earned until the 60% point of the semester. The unearned portion will be returned to the program from which it came.

Study Abroad and Financial Aid

Students wishing to pursue study abroad opportunities should contact the Office of Global Education (OGE). Colorado School of Mines encourages students to include an international study/work experience in their undergraduate education. Mines maintains student exchange programs with a wide variety of institutions. Courses successfully passed abroad can be substituted for their equivalent course at Mines. Overall GPA is not affected by courses taken abroad. A well-planned study abroad program will not delay graduation. Financial aid and selected scholarships and grants can be used to finance approved study abroad programs where hours toward the student's program will be transferred to Mines.

Reporting Outside Assistance

Students are required to report to the Financial Aid Office all financial assistance offered or received from all sources, including Mines, immediately upon receipt or notification of such assistance. Upon receipt of this information, Mines shall evaluate, and may adjust any financial assistance provided to the student from Mines, Colorado, or federal funds. No student shall receive financial assistance from Mines if such student’s total assistance from all sources exceeds the total cost of the student’s education.

tags: #colorado #school #of #mines #merit #scholarships