This section will provide you with any information regarding scholarships and awards that are available to non-traditional students.
American Association of University Women Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students
American Association of University Women Scholarship
Bernard Osher Re-entry Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students
The Bernard Osher Foundation has provided Colorado State University with funding to help defray much of the tuition expense for students who meet specific criteria. The goal is to help ease the financial barrier created by today's high tuition costs for students working on their first bachelor degree. The Osher Scholarship will provide twelve scholarships at approximately $4,000.00 to cover tuition expenses for a full academic year. In order to qualify, students must meet ALL of the following criteria:
· Be between the ages of 25 and 50 at the time of application;
· Be working toward completing first bachelor's degree;
· Have “stopped out” (not attended school) for a minimum of five years (off and on/cumulative or all at once/sequential);
· Be currently enrolled in on campus classes (on-line and distance courses are not eligible) at Colorado State with a minimum of 60 credits (junior status) toward your selected major;
· Demonstrate financial need as determined by FAFSA. (Must have already completed a FAFSA form; visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to file your FAFSA);
· Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 for all college/university credits already taken;
· Anticipate workforce participation of at least 10+ years following graduation.
Up to four semesters of funding may be available to support students in graduating within the time frame of the scholarship award if the funds remain available. For information and to apply, please visit http://www.natsci.colostate.edu/Osher/index.cfm.
The Deb Petersen Outstanding Adult Student of the Year award
The Deb Petersen Outstanding Adult Student of the Year award will be given to an adult student who demonstrates persistence, grace, acceptance, flexibility and adaptability in the course of pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree. Students must be nominated by faculty and/or staff at Colorado State. The recipient will be recognized at the annual Recognition Reception for Adult Students held each spring.
On December 14, 2007, Deb Petersen realized one of her life goals. She received her Master’s degree in Accounting from Colorado State University. Achieving this life goal was anything but easy. Deb was just beginning her final year of school in the fall of 2004, when she was diagnosed with liver cancer.
Throughout the treatments and surgeries (one to remove the cancer and the other to transplant her liver), she never gave up on her goal to graduate. One of the principles that guided her was “to stand as tall as the weight you are bearing will allow”. This principle manifested itself as she was hit with hardship after hardship; it didn’t matter, she remained standing tall. And like a cypress tree on the coast shaped by the winds, Deb emerged from her physical hardships more beautiful and unique from the forces that shaped her.
Deb was an inspiration to many students, faculty and staff at Colorado State. To honor her persistence in the face of hardship and her ability to adapt to circumstances beyond her control The Deb Petersen Outstanding Adult Student of the Year award was created. The annual award amount is $500. Past recipients are not eligible to be re-nominated.
A call for nominations occurs once a year, typically in November. The selection of the recipient will occur in February and the award will be given at the annual Recognition Reception for Adult Students held each spring. For questions about the nomination process, please contact Resources for Adult Learners at 970-491-2248 or send an email to ocss@lamar.colostate.edu.
Dream What you Love Scholarship for Single Parents
This award has been established to provide financial assistance to a student who meets the following criteria:
Undergraduate, full-time student enrolled in 12 or more credits
Minimum CSU accumulative GPA of 2.0
Preference will be given to single parents with sole custody
Have an identified educational goal
Past recipients not eligible to apply. Selection will be based on meeting the above criteria and essay responses to the following questions:
Why do you want to further your education?
Once your education is complete, what do you feel you will have gained so that you will be able to contribute to your community?
To request an application, or for more information, please contact Adult Learner and Veteran Services, Colorado State University, 8033 Campus Delivery, Attention: Dream What you Love Application or by email to alvs_staff@mail.colostate.edu or by calling 491-3977.
Pinnacle Honor Society
PINNACLE is a national honor society that recognizes the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of non-traditional aged students who have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average.
Pinnacle was established in 1989 at Murray State University in Kentucky, and over 145 institutions across the country currently hold membership - from large public universities, including Colorado State University, to small private colleges across the country.
PINNACLE is a recognition honor society that does not require ANY additional involvement in the organization once accepted. However, you have the option of being more involved at CSU.
The CSU chapter focuses on providing opportunities for its members to receive recognition for leadership, scholarship and service, as well as to make contributions to the University and Fort Collins community.
All students selected for induction in PINNACLE must meet the following criteria:
· Qualify as a non-traditional student, age 25 or older and/or non-traditional life circumstances (i.e. single parent, etc.),
· Have junior or senior status,
· Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (only GPA obtained at Colorado State University will be considered),
· Have been involved in at least three (3) campus and/or community activities,
· Demonstrate leadership, persistence and future promise,
· Maintain the highest ethical standards.
A selection committee consisting of CSU faculty, staff and a Pinnacle Honor Society member reviews the applications and makes recommendations for membership. Notification letters are sent immediately following decisions. A reception for new inductees is held during spring semester.
For more information about Pinnacle, please send an email to: jan.rastall@colostate.edu
Textbook Awards
Resources for Adult Learners has partnered with the CSU Bookstore to offer non-traditional undergraduate students textbook awards. There are four awards, each valued UP TO $400 in required text books that will be distributed at the start of fall or spring semester. Applicants must be undergraduate, full-time, adult learners at Colorado State who demonstrate high financial need and academic potential. Past recipients are not eligible to apply. Winners will receive a credit of up to $400 in their student account.
Please check our calendar for application deadlines. To apply please complete the application form and submit it electronically along with a written essay (not longer than 500 words) explaining why you identify as an adult learner and your academic/career goals, a one page resume, and a copy of the award letter you received from student financial services (available on RamWeb).
All material must be submitted electronically by the deadline for full consideration. Late submissions will not be accepted. The complete application packet should be submitted to jan.rastall@colostate.edu.
Testimonials from recipients:
This very generous award will greatly ease my finical burden as well as ensure I am able to purchase all the necessary texts for my fall semester classes. Having these textbooks will have a positive impact on my studies and increase my potential for success in my fall courses.
Thank you for your support,
Sincerely,
Bondina K.
I am extremely grateful for the financial help with my textbooks this fall and excited to get the semester underway with one less burden!!
Sincerely,
Franciszka S.
Each semester I struggle to pay bills and stay in school so opportunities like this make a huge difference to me and the other students who receive them. I truly appreciate the help.
Thank you so much,
Linda S.
National Scholarships for Non-Traditional Students
The complete list of available national scholarships