Applications are now open for the prestigious Daniels Scholarship Program.

Each year the Daniels Fund awards outstanding students from Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming with scholarships to any two- or four-year nonprofit, accredited college or university in the country. Depending on a student’s choice of school, those scholarships could cover all associated costs.

Selected students demonstrate exceptional character, leadership and a commitment to serving their communities. The nonprofit expects to award about 200 scholarships in March to anticipated Class of 2024 graduates.

Colorado Springs high school students surprised with one of state’s most coveted scholarships

Applications close Oct. 15 at 4 p.m.

“Bill Daniels believed a great education can be game-changing for young people with great potential, strong character, and big dreams,” Daniels Fund President and CEO Hanna Skandera said in a news release. “We look forward to supporting the next generation of leaders, and the positive impact they will make with this opportunity.”

Daniels established his namesake fund with a gift of $1.1 billion upon his death in 2000. Since then, the fund has provided more than $250 million to more than 5,000 scholars, according to the release.

The scholarship is a full ride for certain partner schools in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah or Wyoming. A list of current partners can be found on the Daniels Fund website.

Students attending a non-partner school within the fund’s four-state region can receive $30,000 over four years for educational expenses, and students attending a non-partner school outside of that four-state region can receive up to $100,000 over four years.

Coloradans receive more than $40 million in support from Daniels Fund

Daniels Scholars also receive a laptop and career development, networking and leadership development opportunities.

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a graduating high school senior.
• Be a resident of Daniels Fund’s four-state region.
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
• Earn a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in high school on an unweighted 4.0 scale.
• Earn a minimum SAT math score of 490 and a minimum evidence-based reading and writing score of 490, or a minimum ACT score of 18 in each category (writing score not required).
• Applicants’ parents or guardians must have an adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less on their 2022 tax return on which the applicant is claimed as a dependent.

Colorado Springs high school students surprised with one of state’s most coveted scholarships