Scholarships
ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï focuses much of its budget on meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need for admitted students. Therefore, we offer a limited number of merit scholarships. Every year, CC accepts academically accomplished applicants who encompass a wide variety of interests, talents and backgrounds. All students admitted to CC have demonstrated their academic excellence.
All merit scholarships are awarded by the Office of Admission. Because of limited funding for merit-based aid, very few admitted students are awarded these scholarships.
Due to the limited number of scholarships and a highly competitive pool of students, our admission and financial aid processes do not allow for appeals concerning merit scholarships. If a student is admitted but does not receive a scholarship, there is no appeal process in place to petition to receive merit aid or increase an existing merit aid award.
Merit Scholarships
These three ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï merit scholarships do not require any additional application - the application for admission (Common Application, QuestBridge Application, or Apply Coalition powered by Scoir), is your scholarship application and all are reviewed for possible awards.
Students are reviewed by the Office of Admission as a pool, and because the pool of applicants changes from year to year, we are unable to provide specific markers (ACT or SAT scores, GPAs, etc.) to indicate your likelihood of receiving a merit scholarship. Students who have been awarded a merit scholarship will receive notification of their award upon admission to the college.
ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï offers three different levels of four-year scholarships to incoming first-year students:
show all / hide all
Additional Applications
The science and math departments at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï offer strong academic programs widely recognized for their innovative teaching and for their modern facilities and instrumentation. More than 50 faculty are active in the various science departments, providing close attention to undergraduates and breadth of experience. Graduates excel in a variety of fields, including medicine, biotechnology, forensics, and top graduate programs in a variety of disciplines.
Otis A. Barnes Scholarship
Usually, two full-tuition Otis A. Barnes Scholarships in Chemistry and Biochemistry are awarded each year. The scholarship remains in effect for four years as long as students make satisfactory progress toward a chemistry or biochemistry degree at ºÚÁϳԹÏ. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition but does not cover the cost of housing, meal plan, or the student activity fee. However, students who qualify for need-based aid may receive financial aid to cover these additional costs, depending on calculated need.
Margaret T. Barnes Scholarship
Usually, one full-tuition Margaret T. Barnes Scholarship in Natural Sciences (including Molecular Biology, Organismal Biology & Ecology, Environmental Science, Geology, Physics, Psychology, Neuroscience) and Mathematics (including Computer Science) is awarded each year. The scholarship remains in effect for four years as long as students make satisfactory progress toward their major in the Natural Sciences or Mathematics. The scholarship covers the cost of tuition but does not cover the cost of housing, meal plan, or the student activity fee. However, students who qualify for need-based aid may receive financial aid to cover these additional costs, depending on calculated need.
Who Should Apply?
Talented and passionate students who want to to focus their studies in Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Environmental Science, Geology, Physics, Psychology, or Neuroscience. Applicants must be United States citizens to be considered. Because the Barnes scholarships are mutually exclusive, applicants may apply for either the Margaret T. Barnes Scholarship or the Otis A. Barnes Scholarship, but not both.
Evaluation Criteria
Barnes Scholarships are awarded primarily for academic merit, considering success in a high school curriculum that includes rigorous math and science classes when available. Extracurricular activities and leadership are also considered, as is financial need. A candidate's application to ºÚÁϳԹÏ, transcripts, and test scores (if applicable, please review our test-optional policy) will also be included in the scholarship review process.
How to Apply
1. If you haven't already started the application process to ºÚÁϳԹÏ, either complete our Preliminary Application or submit your full application for admission through the Common Application, QuestBridge Application, or Coalition Application.
2. Submit the . To access the Barnes Interest Form, you will need your CC login credentials, sent to you upon submission of your preliminary application or your admission application.
On the Barnes Interest Form, you will include the name and contact information of an instructor who can submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. Your recommender should be closely related to your anticipated math or science major, and their letter should specifically address your potential for this award. Please complete the Barnes Interest Form well in advance of the Barnes application deadline, in order to give your recommender plenty of time to submit their letter of recommendation. Your instructor will receive an email with directions once you submit this form. Please check the spelling of your instructor's email address carefully before submitting.
3. Once you've completed steps one and two, in mid-December when the application opens you'll find the link to the Barnes application in your ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï applicant portal. We'll also send an email reminder when the application opens. Submit the application by the scholarship deadline in early January. To be complete, your application must include the following:
- A 600-800 word essay that describes your background in science or math and your reasons for choosing your intended major.
- A letter of recommendation from an instructor closely related to your anticipated science or math major when you enroll in college, specifically addressing your potential for this award.
The Barnes application will be open from mid-December to early-January.
Barnes Scholarship winners will be notified in mid-March.
The El Pomar Scholarship was created to encourage talented and passionate students from Colorado to pursue careers in public policy and nonprofit work by covering the annual cost of tuition and fees, standard dorm room, and meal plan at ºÚÁϳԹÏ. Each year, two students are awarded this scholarship in order to experience an exceptional liberal arts education and gain valuable hands-on exposure to the nonprofit sector.
As El Pomar Scholars, students work with the Collaborative for Community Engagement office to participate in civic action, learning, and reflection. Scholars integrate classroom academic learning with immersive community engagement experiences throughout their time at CC. As a cohort, students regularly participate in educational programming that supports skill-building in the nonprofit and public sectors, deepen knowledge around the social and environmental issues facing Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region, and join a supportive community of peers through team-building and community-formation activities.
The scholarship remains in effect for four years as long as students make satisfactory progress toward their degree at ºÚÁϳԹÏ.
Who Should Apply?
Only Colorado residents who are eligible for need-based financial aid at ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï will be considered. Applicants should either be interested in pursuing a career in public policy or the nonprofit sector, or have demonstrated significant and impactful community service throughout high school. Additionally, applicants should plan to engage in service within the Colorado Springs community while attending ºÚÁϳԹÏ. The El Pomar Committee may also consider students who are strong candidates based on their general application for admission to the college.
Evaluation Criteria
The El Pomar Scholarship committee considers applicants' leadership potential, commitment to the well-being of the people of Colorado, and their engagement in community service and/or public policy activities. Students with high financial need and students from underrepresented backgrounds will be given additional consideration in the selection process. A candidate's application to ºÚÁϳԹÏ, transcripts, and test scores (if applicable, please review our test-optional policy) will also be included in the scholarship review process. Students selected as El Pomar Scholarship Finalists will interview virtually with the El Pomar Selection Committee.
How to Apply
1. If you haven't already started the application process to ºÚÁϳԹÏ, either complete our Preliminary Application or submit your full application for admission through the Common Application, QuestBridge Application, or Coalition Application.
2. Submit the . To access the El Pomar Interest Form, you will need your CC login credentials, sent to you upon submission of your preliminary application or your admission application.
On the El Pomar Interest Form, you will include the name and contact information of someone who can submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. Your recommender should be familiar with your interest in public policy, nonprofit work, or community service, and commitment to serving the people of Colorado. Their letter should specifically address your potential as an El Pomar Scholar. Please complete the El Pomar Interest Form well in advance of the El Pomar application deadline, in order to give your recommender plenty of time to submit their letter of recommendation. Your recommender will receive an email with directions once you submit this form. Please check the spelling of your recommender's email address carefully before submitting.
3. Once you've completed steps one and two, in mid-December when the application opens you'll find the link to the El Pomar application in your ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï applicant portal. We'll also send an email reminder when the application opens. Submit the application by the mid-January scholarship deadline. To be complete, your application must include the following:
- Your resume
- A 600-800 word essay that describes your community service experience or your interest in public policy, and your commitment to serving the people of Colorado. Consider how ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï might further your pursuits in these areas.
- Two short-answer responses: one about your background or identity, and one about when you believe it is important to speak, versus when it is important to listen.
- One letter of recommendation from someone who can address your potential as an El Pomar Scholar.
The El Pomar application will be open from mid-December to mid-January.
El Pomar Scholarship finalists will be notified in mid-February and will be contacted to schedule a virtual interview with the El Pomar Selection Committee. Winners will be notified in mid-March.
The Woman's Educational Society (WES) is a non-profit organization that funds scholarships and grants to eligible ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï students, regardless of sex or gender, and has offered educational programs to scholars, members, and the community for over 100 years.
WES began more than one hundred years ago when Mary Slocum, wife of the College’s president at the time, established the society in April of 1889. More than one hundred women attended the first meeting of WES held in Cutler Hall. Thirty-seven of the attendees formally established WES, setting the goal of giving “physical, intellectual and spiritual aid to students in any department of the college." In recognition of her important legacy, Mary Slocum was inducted into the in 2022.
Since its beginning, WES has provided scholarships to ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï students, and that focus continues today.
The WES Scholarship
Beginning with the class entering in fall 2025, WES Scholarships will be awarded to two first-year students each year. The scholarship remains in effect for four years as long as the student makes satisfactory progress at CC. In honor of the 37 women who established WES in 1889, the scholarship covers 37% of tuition, but does not cover the cost of housing, meal plan, or the student activity fee. However, students who qualify for need-based aid may receive additional need-based financial aid to cover these costs, depending on calculated need.
Who Should Apply?
- Talented and passionate students whose values align with the Woman’s Educational Society. (Read more about WES’s Timeless Values.)
- Applicants must be United States citizens to be considered.
- Students who are eligible for need-based aid are encouraged to apply.
Evaluation Criteria
WES Scholarships are awarded based on an assessment of factors including:
- expression of a candidate’s commitment to equity issues
- expression of commitment to one or more of WES’s Timeless Values
A candidate's application to ºÚÁϳԹÏ, transcripts, and test scores (if applicable, please review our test-optional policy) will also be included in the scholarship review process. As part of their application, applicants to the WES Scholarship will provide permission for the WES Board to review their admission application to ºÚÁϳԹÏ.
Students selected as WES Finalists will participate in virtual interviews with representatives from the WES Board of Managers in late February or early March.
How to Apply
- If you haven't already started the application process to ºÚÁϳԹÏ, either complete our Preliminary Application or submit your application for admission through the Common Application, QuestBridge Application, or Coalition Application.
- Submit the . To access the scholarship application, you will need your CC login credentials, sent to you upon submission of your preliminary application or your admission application. To be complete, your application must include a 500-700 word essay responding to the following prompt:
Please draw on your own experiences and involvements to articulate how you might contribute to furthering Mary G Slocum’s vision for gender equity, as expressed by WES’s Timeless Values, during your ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï experience.
The WES application will be open from mid-December to January 15.
WES Scholarship winners will be notified in March.
show all / hide all
Outside Scholarships
The following outside scholarships are not administered by ºÚÁϳԹÏ. Please click the links below for additional information.If you are a National Merit finalist, you must communicate to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation that ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is your first choice college. The published deadlines for reporting a sponsor college as first choice can be viewed on page 3 of the .
For more information, see the website at .
The National Merit Scholarship® Corporation awards three separate and distinct types of awards. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation selects the finalists and notifies ºÚÁϳԹÏ. ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is not involved in the selection process.
- National Merit $2500 Scholarships
- These single payment awards are given on a state to state basis. Scholarship monies originate from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and there is no ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï match.
- Corporate-Sponsored Merit Scholarship Awards
- These single payment or renewable awards are designated for recipients chosen by the sponsor. Scholarship monies originate from the sponsor and there is no ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï match.
- College-Sponsored Merit Scholarships
- These renewable scholarships are given to students who are National Merit Scholarship finalists that have indicated that ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï is their first choice*, and have not received one of the other National Merit awards. Awardees receive $1000 from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and $1000 merit match from ºÚÁÏ³Ô¹Ï for a total of $2000 per year. This award is renewable for four years of undergraduate study.
Known outside scholarship search engines include:
show all / hide all