Scholarships | Financial Support | Student Information

Financial Support | Scholarships

Continuing Education offers scholarships for some of our students each year. Below you will find information about those scholarships, who is eligible, and how to apply.

The scholarships include:

If you have questions about the scholarships or other financial support resources, please talk to one of our advisors.

High School ACCESS Need-Based Scholarship

The High School ACCESS Need-Based Scholarship is available in the fall, spring and summer for students in the High School ACCESS program with demonstrated financial need.

Scholarship Details

  • The maximum award will cover the tuition cost of one course with award amounts depending on a student’s credits.
  • High School ACCESS students who receive the scholarship will be eligible to receive it more than once, contingent upon reapplying and available funding.
  • Scholarships offered through CE are classified as general fund and are therefore compatible with VA benefits.

Eligibility

  • Non-degree High School ACCESS students at CU Boulder who are not formally admitted to a degree program.
  • Must be enrolled in courses for credit offered through main campus, CE Evening Credit, CE Online Credit and/or Summer Session.
  • Must attest and provide documentation of financial need.
  • Students receiving CU’s Tuition Assistance Benefit are not eligible.
  • Students can only receive one Continuing Education scholarship per term. 

Renewal Criteria

  • Must reapply through the scholarship application. 
  • Continue to meet eligibility requirements.
  • Achieve a C- or higher in all coursework taken during the scholarship semester.
  • Must have received scholarship in a previous term. 
  • Contingent on available funding

How to Apply

To apply, complete the application:

Need-Based Scholarship Application 

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2026 priority deadline: August 7, 2026

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis after the priority deadline and awarded based on available funds. The final deadline is the last day of classes for the term.

Applications submitted by the second Monday of each month will receive a response by the end of that month. If the application is received after the second Monday of the month, it will be reviewed the following month. 

If you have questions or need additional information, please email us at hsaccess@colorado.edu. We are happy to help.

This scholarship is intended to benefit high school students who require financial assistance in order to take courses at CU Boulder. Students may demonstrate financial need in a variety of ways.

For help understanding and obtaining the types of documentation listed below, speak with a parent/guardian or contact a school counselor and/or trusted teacher.

Accepted documentation types:

  • A letter from a school counselor, teacher or other school personnel;
  • A letter from another organization your family is working with to secure resources;
  • Any other documentation confirming financial need such as participation in:
    • A free/reduced lunch plan
    • McKinney-Vento support
    • Medicaid
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)
    • Supplemental Security Income Federal Pell Grants or Subsidized Student Loans (either an older sibling or yourself, if you are a high school senior)

Any documentation that is submitted will be used to determine your scholarship eligibility only and will be stored in a secure database. Only the Continuing Education Scholarship Committee Chair will access the protected information.

In addition to submitting proof of financial need, students must also answer the personal essay question listed below and submit it in the online portal along with their complete application.

Please tell us more about your interest in the subject(s) you wish to study at CU Boulder. We would like to know:

  1. What makes you passionate about this subject?
  2. Do you have any special goals that you hope to achieve through your class(es) this semester?
  3. What is the #1 reason that you want to attend CU Boulder?

Scholarship essays will be rated based on the following elements:

  1. Content (4 points): The essay fully addresses all portions of the prompt and has a central point that is interesting, original, substantial, and maybe even striking. The author uses concrete details to “show” rather than merely “tell” their story.
  2. Readability/Organization (3 points): The central idea is developed in the essay through well-chosen and appropriate language. The essay is organized and well-structured. There is a beginning, a body, and a conclusion and transitions help the paper flow smoothly. Introductory statements are interesting and appropriate. Concluding statements are satisfying.
  3. Tone (2 points): The essay is written in the authentic voice of the writer. It is compelling and interesting. The tone is consistent and shows effort/thought was put in.
  4. Grammar/Standard Language Use (1 point): Author has given thought to form, grammar, and structure and is writing at a college level of English.

High School ACCESS First-Generation Scholarship

The High School ACCESS First-Generation Scholarship is available in the fall, spring and summer to provide financial support for high school students who will be first-generation college students. A student is first generation if both parents do not have a four-year college degree or if they were raised by a single parent who did not earn a four-year college degree. 

Scholarship Details

  • The maximum award will cover the tuition cost of one course, with award amounts depending on a student’s credits.
  • High School ACCESS students who receive the scholarship will be eligible to receive it more than once, contingent upon reapplying and available funding.
  • Scholarships offered through CE are classified as general fund and are therefore compatible with VA benefits.

Eligibility

  • Non-degree High School ACCESS students at CU Boulder who are not formally admitted to a degree program.
  • Must be enrolled in courses for credit offered through main campus, CE Evening Credit, CE Online Credit and/or Summer Session.
  • First-generation student (neither parent has earned a bachelor’s degree).
  • Scholarship application and essay are considered as part of a comprehensive review; not all students who are eligible will be awarded the First Generation Scholarship.
  • Students can only receive one Continuing Education scholarship per term.
  • Students receiving CU’s Tuition Assistance Benefit are not eligible. 

Renewal Criteria

  • Must reapply through the scholarship application. 
  • Continue to meet eligibility requirements.
  • Achieve a C- or higher in all coursework taken during the scholarship semester.
  • Must have received scholarship in a previous term. 
  • Contingent on available funding.

How to Apply

To apply, complete the application:

First-Generation Scholarship Application

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2026 priority deadline: August 7, 2026

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis after the priority deadline and awarded based on available funds. The final deadline is the last day of classes for the term. 

Applications submitted by the second Monday of each month will receive a response by the end of that month. If the application is received after the second Monday of the month, it will be reviewed the following month. 

If you have questions or need additional information, please email us at hsaccess@colorado.edu. We are happy to help.

This scholarship will provide financial support and academic encouragement to high school students who will be first generation college students. 

A student is first generation if both parents do not have a four-year college degree or if they were raised by a single parent who did not earn a four-year college degree. 

  • Other common examples:
    • Students who attended college at the same time as their parent(s)
    • Students who were raised by individual(s) other than their degree-holding parent(s)
    • Students whose parents earned degrees outside of the U.S. and who may therefore be unable to use those degrees in the U.S.

We understand this definition may not fully encompass all circumstances. We encourage you to apply and explain your situation in the scholarship essay.

Students must answer the personal essay question listed below and submit it in the online portal along with their complete application.

Please tell us more about your interest in the subject(s) you wish to study at CU Boulder. We would like to know:

  1. What makes you passionate about this subject?
  2. Do you have any special goals that you hope to achieve through your class(es) this semester?
  3. What is the #1 reason that you want to attend CU Boulder?

Scholarship essays will be rated based on the following elements:

  1. Content (4 points): The essay fully addresses all portions of the prompt and has a central point that is interesting, original, substantial and maybe even striking. The author uses concrete details to “show” rather than merely “tell” their story.
  2. Readability/Organization (3 points): The central idea is developed in the essay through well-chosen and appropriate language. The essay is organized and well-structured. There is a beginning, a body and a conclusion and transitions help the paper flow smoothly. Introductory statements are interesting and appropriate. Concluding statements are satisfying.
  3. Tone (2 points): The essay is written in the authentic voice of the writer. It is compelling and interesting. The tone is consistent and shows effort/thought was put in.
  4. Grammar/Standard Language Use (1 point): Author has given thought to form, grammar and structure and is writing at a college level of English. 

Non-Degree Student Scholarship

Continuing Education offers scholarships for non-degree students for the fall, spring and summer terms.

Scholarship Details

  • The maximum award for the scholarship is $1,000, not to exceed 80% of the tuition total.
  • Students may be awarded a Non-Degree Student Scholarship only once during their time as a non-degree student.
  • Scholarships offered through CE are classified as general fund (i.e. compatible with VA benefits).

Eligibility

  • You must be a non-degree student at CU Boulder (not formally admitted to a degree program), which includes High School ACCESS students
  • You must be enrolled in courses for credit offered through main campus, CE Evening Credit, CE Online Credit, or Summer Session. (Courses offered through the Extraordinary program, like CSPB or SLPP courses, are not eligible.)

How to Apply

To apply, complete the application along with a 250-500 word essay addressing your past educational history, your future educational and career goals, and the specific way in which the scholarship will assist you in meeting those goals.

Non-Degree Student Scholarship Application 

Application Deadlines

  • Fall 2026 priority deadline: August 26, 2026

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis after the priority deadline and awarded based on available funds.

Scholarship Award Process

The award amount is based on available funding and a competitive essay review. Scholarship essays will be rated based on the following elements:

  1. Content (4 points): The essay fully addresses all portions of the prompt and has a central point that is interesting, original, substantial and maybe even striking. The author uses concrete details to “show” rather than merely “tell” their story.
  2. Readability/Organization (3 points): The central idea is developed in the essay through well-chosen and appropriate language. The essay is organized and well-structured. There is a beginning, a body and a conclusion and transitions help the paper flow smoothly. Introductory statements are interesting and appropriate. Concluding statements are satisfying.
  3. Tone (2 points): The essay is written in the authentic voice of the writer. It is compelling and interesting. The tone is consistent and shows effort/thought was put in.
  4. Grammar/Standard Language Use (1 point): Author has given thought to form, grammar and structure and is writing at a college level of English.

Awardees will be notified via the email given on the application.

If you have any questions or are unable to log into the appropriate application form, please contact us at ceadvise@colorado.edu. 

CU Complete Scholarship

Continuing Education offers a scholarship opportunity designed to assist former CU Boulder students who are returning to complete their first undergraduate degree.

As of fall 2026, CU Complete has shifted from a one-time scholarship to an ongoing scholarship program with dedicated wrap-around support services. Students who received the previous version of the CU Complete scholarship are welcome to apply for the updated program as long as they meet the new eligibility requirements.

CU Complete Scholarship Details

  • Eligible students will receive $1,000 per semester.
  • Each semester after their first semester of enrollment in the CU Complete Scholarship program, the student’s performance will be reviewed to determine if they qualify for an additional $250. Students must earn at least a 2.3 term GPA in 6 or more credits in their previous CU Complete semester to receive an additional $250 during their next CU Complete semester.
  • Students are eligible for the CU Complete scholarship for up to six consecutive semesters as long as they meet the renewal criteria.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the CU Complete scholarship program, students must meet the following criteria:

  • have completed at least 90 credits (with at least 45 credits from CU Boulder)
  • have taken a minimum of two consecutive years away from their CU Boulder enrollment 
  • be degree-seeking
  • be pursuing their first bachelor’s degree
  • take at least 3 credits every semester they participate in the program
  • be able to graduate within six consecutive terms or two consecutive years 

Renewal Criteria

The CU Complete scholarship may be renewed for up to six total semesters as long as students meet the renewal criteria. Recipients are automatically eligible for renewal; no further application is required. The following criteria will be reviewed each semester to confirm eligibility:

  • Students must be making progress toward their degree.
  • Students must earn credit each semester they enroll (i.e., students must not complete a semester with all F, W, and/or I grades).

Students who do not meet renewal criteria will be placed on a probationary status with the option to appeal. The second semester a student enrolls without earning credit, the student will no longer be eligible to participate in the program.

How to Apply

Schedule an appointment with our CU Complete academic advisor, Kristi Wasson. After your intake is complete, our academic advisor will provide you with the CU Complete Program - Scholarship Application. This application involves attesting that you understand the program’s eligibility criteria and includes a short, 250-word essay about your return to CU Boulder and your long-term goals. This application must be completed for you to finalize your participation in the CU Complete program and to receive your scholarship.

Notably, this intake process should be completed at least one month prior to the end of the semester for students to receive the CU Complete scholarship. If a student finalizes their participation in the CU Complete program after this deadline, they may begin their enrollment in the program and receive their first $1,000 scholarship in the subsequent semester.

For questions about CU Complete, you can email us at cucomplete@colorado.edu. If you would like assistance scheduling an appointment with our CU Complete academic advisor, call 303-492-9671.