To qualify for the DSF Scholarship, you must complete the initial application process within one year of your graduation from high school.
For example, the high school class of 2023 must apply for the scholarship by May 1, 2024 and must receive their first DSF award by December 31, 2024.
You must also meet the following requirements to be eligible for the scholarship:
ATTEND
a Denver Public Schools (DPS) high school for all four consecutive years before graduation, unless you transferred into DPS from another state or country while in high school.
Graduate
from a DPS high school with a final cumulative GPA of at least 2.0, and meet DSF’s GPA requirement for your college type:
4-Year College/University
High School GPA at least 2.75
OR obtain DSF’s approval for an exception
Community College
High School GPA at least 2.5
OR obtain DSF’s approval for an exception
Technical College
High School GPA at least 2.0
Enroll full-time
at one of DSF’s 31 College Partners in Colorado.
Demonstrate financial need
with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 16,640* or less, as calculated by your college from your FAFSA, CASFA, or other financial aid application.
Please note that the SAI provided in your FAFSA or CASFA confirmation may be different from your college’s final calculation.
Once you meet DSF’s financial need requirement, you are considered to have met it for the remainder of your DSF eligibility, even if your SAI is higher in future years.
*16,640 represents 250% of the 2024-25 maximum SAI to qualify for a Pell Grant and is subject to adjustment each year.
Complete
your college’s financial aid process for the upcoming school year by July 15.
Meet
your college’s requirements for Colorado residency (for in-state tuition or state aid).
The DSF Scholarship Application for the upcoming school year becomes available in the DSF Student Portal at the beginning of February and closes on May 1. Log in if you already have an account, or create a new account using your 6-digit DPS ID number and birthdate. You will be able to create your account in the DSF Student Portal beginning in February of your senior year of high school.
Before you apply for the DSF Scholarship, you must also apply for 3 additional scholarships or 2 scholarships and a student support program. You’ll also need your Social Security number (or your COF ID if you don’t have a Social Security number) and a parent/guardian to electronically sign your application if you’re under 18.
