Apply for over 100 scholarship opportunities for RRCC students by completing this single, annual application. More than half of all applicants become scholarship recipients!
The Fall 2026/Spring 2027 RRCC Foundation application will be available online via Academic Works as of December 10, 2025. It is typically due early March. For more details, visit the RRCC Foundation webpage or reach out, 303.914.6308 / foundation@rrcc.edu.
The CCCS Foundation awards scholarships to a handful of students from each of the 13 Colorado community colleges each year. The application is available mid-March through mid-April for the following school year (fall/spring).
- Red Rocks Community College does not unlawfully discriminate…against any protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law (also known as “civil rights laws”) and is subject to Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended.
- Completion of a scholarship application does not guarantee an award. All completed applications that meet the minimum scholarship requirements will be reviewed after the submission deadline. Those who met the minimum qualifications listed for each opportunity will be notified via CCCS student email regarding whether they were selected.
- Students may receive only one of the following RRCC institutional scholarships: Community Leaders, First Generation, High School Early Senior Achievement, and RRCC-Warren Tech.
- To be eligible for an RRCC institutional scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, or DACA or ASSET, and be a Colorado resident for tuition purposes (College Opportunity Fund eligible).
- Apply for admission to Red Rocks Community College.
- Complete the online federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- ASSET students should complete the CASFA, the State application. *If you are unsure of which application to use, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
- Be sure to completely read each institutional scholarship application prior to starting it, to ensure that you meet the requirements and do not miss the application deadline.
- Most institutional scholarship applications are available via Academic Works; however, a couple are paper applications at this time and may be obtained in person or by email from the Financial Aid Office, which is located in Student Affairs at both the Lakewood Campus and Arvada Campus.
- Call the Financial Aid Office, 303.914.6256, to clarify any questions about institutional scholarships.
- Upon receiving an institutional scholarship award, ensure that you consistently meet the conditions outlined in your scholarship offer notification (received via cccs e-mail).
- Scholarship recipients who receive need-based financial aid or other additional awards may see a reduction to other need-based aid in order for the Financial Aid Office to remain in compliance with federal and State regulations.
- Students choosing to participate in concurrent enrollment programs, including Accelerating Students through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) or Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation (TREP) do not qualify for the institutional scholarships mentioned here since the scholarships require that a student has graduated from high school.
- If your high school does not provide a transcript with grades and/or credit hours, you must provide two sources of information to be considered for scholarships that have a minimum GPA requirement:
- ACT sub test scores of 18+ (English) and 23+ (math) or SAT test scores of 470+ (English) and 560+ (math) and
- Proof of a competitive academic process at your high school, or a portfolio
2026/2027 High School Early Senior Achievement Scholarship
This opportunity requires a paper application.
This scholarship covers tuition only (not fees) for 6 to 12 credit hours of enrollment for three semesters: Spring, Fall, Spring (following the early graduation date).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 17 years of age
- High school seniors enrolled in a Colorado high school who will graduate at least one semester early (by December 2025)
- Minimum unweighted high school GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Colorado residency for tuition purposes (can be ASSET), as determined by the College
- Current application for admission to Red Rocks Community College
- Be a U.S. citizen, or eligible non-citizen (including DACA and ASSET)
- Must enroll in at least six credits to receive this award.
Submit: High School Early Senior Achievement Scholarship application
Deadline to apply: First Friday in December
Contact: Terri Cedillo, terri.cedillo@rrcc.edu, 303.914.6674
2026/2027 First-Generation Scholarship
This application will be available via Academic Works December 10, 2025, through early March 2026.
The First-Generation Scholarship is worth up to $7,000. It will prorate based on the number of credits in which a student is enrolled ($1,750 for 12+ credits per semester, $1,500 for 9 to 11 credits, and $1,150 for 6 to 8 credits). Scholars must enroll in a minimum of 6 credit hours at RRCC during the fall and spring semesters.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 17 years of age
- Parents have not earned a bachelor’s degree
- Be a 2026 Colorado high school graduate
- Considered a Colorado resident for tuition purposes (COF eligible)
- Upload a letter of nomination from a high school counselor or teacher.
- Upload unofficial high school transcript that demonstrates a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale and maintain a 2.50 cumulative grade point average while attending RRCC.
2026/2027 RRCC-Warren Tech Scholarship
This opportunity will be available via Academic Works December 10, 2025, through early-March 2026.
It covers tuition only (not fees) for 6 credits for two semesters.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 17 years of age
- A 25/26 concurrent student at Warren Tech, enrolled via RRCC
- Will be a 2026 Colorado high school graduate
- Considered a Colorado resident for tuition purposes (COF eligible)
- Cumulative high school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Must be enrolled in 12+ credits during applicable semesters.
- Provide the name and email address of one teacher or counselor as a reference regarding your success in your Warren Tech program. (Let them know to check their email for the invite Academic Works will send.)
- Upload unofficial high school transcript that demonstrates a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale
- Recipients of this award must maintain a 2.5 grade point average, and complete 75% or more of credits attempted to receive this fund the following spring semester.
26/27 Community Leaders Scholarship
This highly competitive application will be available via Academic Works on December 10, 2025, through early March 2026.
The scholarship is worth $8,000 over four semesters (Fall/Spring, Fall/Spring). Recipients must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits per semester.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be at least 17 years of age
- Demonstrates significant community involvement and/or volunteer experience
- Will be a 25/26 Colorado high school graduate
- Considered a Colorado resident for tuition purposes (COF eligible)
- Upload a letter of nomination from a high school counselor or teacher.
Upload unofficial high school transcript that demonstrates a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 grading scale
This opportunity requires a paper application, which can be found below.
There is no limit on the number of times a student can apply for this scholarship; however, the scholarship can be received only once, during a single semester, and covers up to 12 credits of tuition (fees not included).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Submission of a complete application, including official/passing scores on the Colorado General Educational Development (GED) test or the Colorado High School Equivalency Test (HiSET). (To order a copy of your exam, visit Diploma Sender.)
- Be a Colorado resident (based on RRCC's Colorado Residency policy).
Submit: Post-GED/HiSET Scholarship application
Deadline to apply: First Friday in December (for spring), first Friday in June (for fall)
Contact: Terri Cedillo, terri.cedillo@rrcc.edu, 303.914.6674
This opportunity, worth up to $2,500, requires a paper application currently.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Underrepresented students pursuing one of the following declared engineering pathways: Civil, Mechanical, Architectural, or Environmental Engineering
- Intent to transfer to a four-year university to study one of the fields listed above
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher and enrolled in at least 6 credits for the spring academic term
- COF-eligible US Resident (based on the College’s residency policy)
- Have a FAFSA (federal financial aid application) on file.
ASSET students would need a CASFA (the state application)
- Be within 250% of Pell eligibility, as determined by the Student Aid Index (SAI) on one’s FAFSA or CASFA.
Note: This opportunity is currently undergoing some revisions (September 2025) and is expected to post online in Academic Works soon.
Deadline to apply: Typically December 1st
Contact: Scholarships.CCA@ccaurora.edu
Please visit our COSI CPP webpage for application and program details.
Planning to transfer upon graduation, to seek a bachelor's degree at another institution in Colorado? Below are helpful tips and factors to consider when planning your budget.
- Colorado has a FREE college application days, usually sometime early-October, during which certain colleges waive their standard application fees. Check the Colorado Department of Higher Education site for details.
- Depending on the college, you may be able to determine which of your credits will transfer at the Transferology site.
- Some 4-year colleges offer differential tuition or guaranteed/locked-in tuition rates to community college graduates.
- Some require on-campus housing, a pre-paid meal plan, daily parking, and/or health insurance coverage.
- Some offer an Eco Pass (public transportation) at a discounted rate.
- Undocumented students should ask whether the 4-year school partners with TheDream.US or offers services unique to that population of students.
- Lastly, some colleges' tuition rates are based on one’s major. Before committing to a major, you may want to determine the job prospects in that field, as well as the average income an employee in that field will earn. You can find that data and more on the U.S Department of Labor site.
A few great deals for students who qualify:
Adams State STARS grant & Robert Noyce Scholarship
MSU-Denver Indigenous & Native People's Grant
Western Colorado University Mountaineer Promise
Cooke Scholars possess exceptional academic records and demonstrate unmet financial need. At a minimum, each candidate for the Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship must:
- Be a current student at an accredited U.S. community college or two-year institution with sophomore status as of January 1, 2026, or a recent graduate (since spring 2021)
- Plan to enroll in a full-time baccalaureate program at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2026
- Have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or better on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent)
- Demonstrate unmet financial need. We will consider applicants with a maximum annual gross income of $95,000. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will consider all income and assets of the student and the student’s parents.
- No previous enrollment or attendance at a four-year institution. Students who have attended a four-year institution in the past are not eligible for this scholarship.
Please Note: If you started at a four-year institution, but did not complete a semester of full-time study, then you may be eligible. Please contact us to verify your eligibility. Students who have already transferred to a four-year institution or plan to transfer to start during the spring 2026 semester are also not eligible for this scholarship.
Covers: Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees – for the final two to three years necessary to achieve a bachelor’s degree. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships he or she may receive.
Value: Up to$55,000 per year to approximately 45 deserving community college students transferring to a 4-year college or university
Deadline: January 7, 2026 (11:59 pm local time zone).
Submit: All materials must be submitted directly to JKCF online.
For more details, visit https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/undergraduate-transfer-scholarship/
RRCC Contact: Professor Soomin Chun-Hess, Soomin.Chun-Hess@rrcc.edu
The Reisher Scholars Program supports students who demonstrate academic and leadership potential as undergraduates.
To be selected as a Reisher Scholar, an applicant must:
- Be a Colorado resident, as defined by college policy.
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
- Have been selected to be a part of the Bridge to Bachelor’s degree program.
- Have less than 30 credits remaining to complete an associate degree by the Spring 2026 semester.
- Plan to transfer to one of the nine partner institutions participating in the Reisher Scholarship program: Colorado Mesa University, Colorado State University-Fort Collins, CSU-Pueblo, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University-Denver, University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, CU-Denver, University of Northern Colorado, and Western Colorado University.
To proceed as a finalist, you will need to submit your 2025-2026 FAFSA by April 15th and complete your financial aid file by the May 15th priority deadline so that we can determine if you meet the additional eligibility requirement below:
- Qualify for Pell Grant or have an adjusted gross income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Please contact the Colorado Community College Foundation for Reisher Bridge to Bachelor's Degree Program details. Email Foundation@cccs.edu or call 720.858.2802.
CMU Reisher Program
CSU Reisher Program
CSU-Pueblo Reisher Program
Fort Lewis College Reisher Program
MSU-Denver Reisher Program
UCCS Reisher Program
UCD Reisher Program
UNC Reisher Program
Western Colorado University
Scholarships are free money used to help pay college tuition and fees. They are awarded to students based on various criteria, including but not limited to, academic achievement, personal qualities, or financial need. These opportunities usually reflect the values of the donor.
Most scholarships have application deadline dates. It is imperative to pay attention to the deadline dates as well as the requirements listed in each application to increase your chances of being selected for the award.
We have created a list of scholarships that RRCC students have received in the past, along with requests from donors who have reached out to us to ask us to post to help you begin your search.
To avoid fraud, please read these Important Tips prior to beginning your private scholarship search. (New version attached in email.)
Private Scholarship List curated by The RRCC Financial Aid Office. (Please use the existing link for now. I will send an updated PDF via email as soon as I’m able to get this doc updated in an accessible way, hopefully by 10/03.)
Other Suggested Private Scholarship Sources
- Scholarship foundations of the K-12 schools you attended
- Public libraries
- Federal, state, county, and local agencies
- Places of worship
- Businesses
- Professional organizations and associations
- Chambers of Commerce
- Membership clubs
- Employer (student’s, student’s spouse’s, or student’s parents/legal guardians)
Listed below are some common avenues for you to locate private scholarships. When searching for and applying for scholarships online, be mindful of sharing your personal information.
Read the Federal Trade Commission's article on How To Avoid Scholarship Scams. While there are legitimate fee-based scholarship search engines, you can find good opportunities for free elsewhere.
Scholly® Scholarships
Fastweb.com
Novoresume.com
US Department of Labor
MyColoradoJourney.com
CollegeBoard.org
The Denver Scholarship Foundation is a Red Rocks Community College MOU scholarship partner, supporting the success of Denver Public Schools graduates enrolled at RRCC through their scholarship awards and collaborative student success initiatives. The typical award is $850 per semester, based on full-time enrollment.
For deadlines and details, visit the DSF Student Portal.
Note: RRCC will request DSF scholarship funds the day after each semester’s main census date. Students whose bills are unpaid due to the delay of these funds (not a balance beyond the amount DSF will send) will not receive a late payment fee.
Gear Up is a grant program for certain students who graduated from one of the partner high schools in Jefferson County. The typical award is between $500 and $1,000 per semester, depending on the student’s level of enrollment.
For deadline and details, visit Gear Up’s website.
Note: RRCC will request Gear Up scholarship funds the day after each semester’s main census date. Students whose bills are unpaid due to the delay of these funds (not a balance beyond the amount Gear Up will send) will not receive a late payment fee.
CDHE FosterEd Program
The Colorado Department of Higher Education's FosterEd program can pay for your entire Cost of Attendance.
Submit the documentation listed on their site to the RRCC Financial Aid Office to see if you qualify.
Colorado Educational Training Voucher
Forward Steps Foundation (links to external site)
This program offers 1:1 mentoring, resource navigation and wrap-around support services.
- EmpowerEd is a state-funded program, administered by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, that provides financial assistance at participating in-state public institutions of higher education for students who experienced homelessness, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act, while enrolled at a Colorado high school (start of 9th grade through the end of 12th grade).
- Must obtain documentation from their Colorado high school
- Must be 17 to 26 years of age
- Must submit a FAFSA (financial aid application) or CASFA (if ASSET)
- There are deadlines to apply as well as to complete your file with the Financial Aid Office.
- A full explanation of requirements as well as the application can be found on CDHE’s EmpowerEd webpage.
- Scholarship foundations of K-12 schools attended
- Public libraries
- Federal, state, county, and local government agencies
- Places of worship
- Businesses
- Professional organizations and associations
- Chambers of Commerce
- Membership clubs
- Employer
Helping to fund a college student's education is a meaningful way to make a positive impact in their life and the community’s. Thank you!
- Donors who would like RRCC to advertise a scholarship opportunity may submit a request to be added to our Private Scholarship List. If your organization is not already listed, please submit your request by completing this brief online request form.
- New opportunities are reviewed and added to the list monthly.
- If you have a question or would like to update information about a currently listed opportunity, please contact our Scholarship Coordinator at terri.cedillo@rrcc.edu.
- Donors who have already identified a particular RRCC student as a scholar via their internal application process may send a check to the following address:
- Red Rocks Community College
Cashier’s Office, Box 2
13300 W. 6th Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80228-1255- Please be sure to include the student’s name, student ID number, the semester(s) the scholarship pertains to, and any requirements, such as a minimum credit enrollment or GPA (if applicable).
- Red Rocks Community College
On behalf of all RRCC staff, faculty, and students, thank you for your generosity towards a member of our community!