Leonard and Dorothy Custer Memorial Scholarship (UA)

This scholarship provides opportunities for undergraduate students in Colorado or California who have been in foster care for at least two years at any time within five years before the scholarship deadline.

Eligibility

• Were in the foster care system for a minimum of 12 months within the last five years (months do not need to have been consecutive, although the total should be 12 months before the scholarship deadline).
• Applicants who meet this requirement AND are emancipated and were adopted at age 15 or older or are participating in the Guardianship Assistance Program, Independent Living Arrangement, or similar programs are eligible to apply.
• Applicant must be 30 or younger as of September 1 in the year they apply.
• Cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5+
• Demonstrate financial need
• Currently or will be enrolled at an accredited trade or technical school, community college, or four-year post-secondary institution in the U.S. for the upcoming academic year.

Students from rural Colorado are highly encouraged to apply!

Selection criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on:

• Academic performance
• Scholastic Potential
• Financial Need

Award details

• Scholarship Range: Varies
• Typical Number of Awards: Varies
• This scholarship is a one-time award. However, past recipients and applicants are encouraged to reapply each year in a competitive process. An individual may only receive an award from this fund up to a total of four times Award amounts may be used towards the recipient’s tuition, fees, supplies, and other educational expenses for the upcoming academic year.
• All scholarships will be paid directly to a recipient’s post-secondary institution. Award disbursement is contingent upon the outside scholarship policies of a recipient’s post-secondary institution
• Award must be used for the upcoming academic year

How to apply 

1. Read through the eligibility criteria above to confirm you meet the requirements for this scholarship opportunity 
2. Log into TDF Scholarship Manager and apply for the Universal Scholarship
   1. List of all extracurricular activities, community volunteering opportunities, and paid/unpaid work experiences you have had
   2. Transcript 
   3. Confirmation of Foster Care Dependency Form
   4. Email address for one recommendation(s)
      1. One academic or community recommendation
   5. Response to the following prompt(s):
      1. Please describe what you would like to study in college, what inspired your interest in this area, and what you hope to achieve with this degree. 
      2. Describe the goals you have established for yourself and your efforts to accomplish these. Give at least one specific example that demonstrates your work ethic and diligence.