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 $6,000 to $22,000 per year at one of nine partner universities. 

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 (listed below).
  • 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 $6,000 but not more than $22,000.

How to apply 


Applications for this scholarship are managed by each school. Find your university below for their application process, and contact the person listed with any questions. 

$9,308
avg annual Reisher Scholarship award

$7.1M
awarded for the 24/25 academic year

68%
first-generation college students

Other Reisher Scholars Program Offerings


The Reisher Scholars Program now includes support for alumni, graduates, as well as a bridge scholarship program. 

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. 

Apply Now

Reisher Scholars Alumni Program


The Reisher Scholar Alumni Program seeks to continue a community that extends opportunities to Reisher Scholars after graduation. This community strives to foster social spaces where Alumni, no matter where they are in their journey, can find comradery, professional support, and ways to continue to give back. The Reisher Alumni Program aims to allow scholars to build relationships and succeed as they transition from their higher education institution

Learn more

Reisher Bridge Program


The Reisher Bridge Scholarship seeks to create a direct pipeline of transfer students to the existing Reisher Scholar Programs at partner institutions and work to remove barriers that may impede a student’s successful transfer. The scholarship aims to improve the ease of outreach/recruitment of transfer students for Reisher Partner Institutions. 

The Denver Foundation has established partnerships with the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) and Aims Community College to strengthen the transfer student pipeline. The CCCS partnership utilizes the existing Bridge to Bachelor’s Degree program and model, and explores other strategies that support students in successful degree completion and transfer. Learn more.

About the Reisher Family


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 from 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.