THE BOETTCHER SCHOLARSHIP

WHAT IS THE SCHOLARSHIP?

The Boettcher Scholarship is the most prestigious merit-based scholarship available to graduating high school seniors in the State of Colorado.

• Cost of Attendance Model: Scholars receive an annual fixed amount of $20,000 per year from Boettcher for four years. Institutions will then use institutional, merit, and/or need based support (or a combination) to support up to the total cost of attendance for each Scholar minus travel and other expenses. Institutions under this model are Adams State University, Colorado Mesa University, Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University, Colorado State University – Pueblo, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Northern Colorado, and Western Colorado University.
• Tuition & Fees Model: Scholars receive an annual fixed amount of $20,000 per year from Boettcher for four years. Partner institutions will then use institutional, merit, and/or need-based support (or a combination) to support up to the total amount of tuition and fees for each Scholar. Institutions under this model are Colorado Christian University, Colorado College, Regis University, and University of Denver.

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ELIGIBILITY

• Be a graduating Colorado high school senior who has lived in Colorado for your junior and senior years of high school.
• Apply during the fall of what is your final year of high school, even if you are considering taking a gap year after graduation
• Be a citizen, legal permanent resident, or legally present (including through Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)  in the United States
• OR Meet the requirements and have applied or started the process of applying for legal status or lawful presence. (Although students can be in the application process for legal status or lawful presence during the Boettcher selection timeframe, in order to become a Boettcher Scholar, you must provide documentation of legal status or lawful presence approval.)

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HOW MANY WINNERS?

Beginning with the class of 2022, the Boettcher Foundation will award 50 scholarships annually.

100 Colorado finalists are selected to interview from an initial pool of applicants, which is typically around. Approximately 1,500 students apply.

PREVIOUS ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

Typically, competitive applicants rank in the top 5% of their classes and have test scores that average 1388 on the SAT and 32 on the ACT (as a reminder, we are not requiring test scores for this year’s applicants.) It’s important to note these averages are precisely those; every year we have Scholars who score below and above those averages. These requirements have been removed so that students who fell just below these requirements could still apply.

ACADEMIC CONSIDERATION

• PLEASE NOTE THAT THE BOETTCHER SCHOLARSHIP IS EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE AND WHILE THERE ARE NO ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, ACADEMIC RECORDS WILL STILL BE A MAJOR COMPONENT OF OUR SELECTION PROCESS.
• In recent years, Boettcher Scholars have averaged in the top 2.8% of their class by rank and have scored an average of 1380 on the Critical Reading and Mathematics sections of the SAT and 32 on the ACT. While Boettcher Scholars come from all over the state, represent diverse backgrounds, and possess an incredible array of talents, they share two overriding characteristics: an intense intellectual curiosity and a passion for involvement. 

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WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?

• Boettcher Scholarship selection criteria
• Superior Scholastic Ability
• Evidence of Potential Leadership
• Service to Community and School
• Outstanding Character

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WHEN WILL I KNOW?

• Semifinalists are notified by early December and must submit 3 letters of recommendation.
• Finalists are notified in February and interviews will be conducted in early March.
• Winners are notified by the end of March.

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WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO APPLY?

https://boettcherfoundation.org/scholarship-application/

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• Complete the official application online.
• Submit an official transcript (done by counselor).

TEST OPTIONAL

• This year the Boettcher is test optional.
• If you have scores and would like to submit them, you must submit official test scores through ACT or SAT directly to the foundation.

COVID UPDATES

• There will be a designated place on the application where students can share information about how they were affected by the pandemic, as we know that context is important to our application review process.

HELPFUL HINTS

• This application can take time to fill out. Get started right away!
• Be detailed and specific.
• Focus on the Selection Criteria (leadership, academics, community service, and character).

EARLY DECISION

• If you make an early decision commitment to an out-of-state institution, you won’t be eligible for a Boettcher Scholarship. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to leave your options open and apply to colleges early action or regular decision.

APPLICATION ELEMENTS

• Scholar information: contact information, parent information
• Activity information: clubs and organizations, art involvement, athletic involvement, community service, work, awards/honors, etc
• Academic information: senior courses, future plans
• Essay Question: choose one (500 word maximum)
• Evaluate a significant experience or achievement that has a special meaning to you. 
• Discuss some issue of personal, local or national concern and its importance to you. 
• Describe a person who has had a significant influence on you, and discuss his or her influence.
•  Short Answer: (200 word maximum)
• Describe a specific situation or activity in which you made a difference in the lives of others through your effectiveness as a leader.
• Select your favorite service activity, and describe why it is important to you and your community.
• Pick one thing you really enjoy, and tell us why you love it.
• Test Scores: have them sent officially through the testing agency to the foundation

COUNSELOR PORTION

• There is a counselor portion that needs to be completed (your transcript, academic information, etc) make sure you enter your counselor’s email as soon as you make an account.
• Email your counselor and confirm they have received the official email from the Boettcher.
• We want to avoid any errors of incorrect emails!

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WHEN IS IT DUE?

The application is due November 1^st by 5:00 pm.