Reisher Scholars Program


About the program


Merit-and-need based scholarships

The Reisher Scholars Program is one of Colorado’s premier scholarship programs. While many scholarships help students start college, the Reisher Scholars Program supports students midway through college with the financial means to complete their undergraduate degree. Awards range from $4,000 to $15,000 per year at one of eight partner universities. Every year, the program continues to grow, expanding its reach and impact to help Colorado college students achieve their goals.

The Reisher family established the program at The Denver Foundation in 2001. Roger and Margaret Reisher came from modest means and were the first in their families to attend and graduate college. Appreciating how much their education impacted their lives and success in the banking industry, the Reishers wanted other students to have an opportunity to earn a college degree.

HOW TO APPLY 

 

Eligibility

The Reisher Scholars Program supports students who demonstrate academic and leadership potential as undergraduates. Students either enter the program as rising sophomores currently attending one of the partner institutions or as transfer students from a community college entering the partner institution as juniors.

 

Applicant requirements

To be selected as a Reisher scholar, a student must:

  • Be a Colorado resident.
  • Plan to enroll in the fall as a full-time college student working toward their first four-year degree at one of the Reisher Partner Universities.
  • Be a rising sophomore or incoming transfer student from a community college.
  • Demonstrate one or more of the following personal qualities: highly motivated, goal-oriented, responsible, and/or likely to make a contribution to society as evidenced by community service, leadership activities, work experience, or unusual experiences.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
  • Have financial need with a total unmet need of at least $4,000 but not more than $15,000.

We help strong students finish even stronger.


The Reisher Scholars Program has provided $39.3 million in scholarships to help nearly 2,500 students complete college and pursue their ambitions. At this very moment, more than 500 Reisher Scholars are working to achieve their dreams of a college education here in Colorado.

$8,454
average annual Reisher Scholarship award

$4.8M
awarded for the 2023/2024 academic year

70%
of current scholars are first-generation college students


Reisher Graduate Scholarship Program

Reisher Scholars can now apply for a scholarship to complete a master’s, certificate, or licensure program. Scholarship opportunities of up to $20,000 per year are now available to anyone who has received funding from the Reisher Scholars Program in the past and plans to attend a master’s, certificate, or licensure program at an accredited Colorado institution. There are multiple application windows, so click here to learn more specifics, and to apply.