Navigating Scholarship Opportunities: A Comprehensive Guide

Securing funding for higher education is a crucial step for many aspiring students. Scholarships offer a valuable avenue to alleviate the financial burden and pursue academic goals. This article provides a comprehensive overview of scholarship opportunities, with a particular focus on local scholarships available to students within the St. Vrain Valley Schools district and broader opportunities in Oregon.

Scholarships Through St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation

The Education Foundation oversees and manages scholarships in partnership with families, foundations, organizations, and business partners for seniors from St. Vrain Valley Schools. The Education Foundation awards over $250,000 of scholarships to St. Vrain Valley Schools high school graduates each spring. Applications for scholarships for the Class of 2026 will be available December 1, 2025, and are due on March 4, 2026.

The scholarship application process involves a two-step procedure. The first step is the general application that collects information that is common across all our scholarships.

Specific Scholarship Examples

Below are some examples of scholarships offered through the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation.

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 32 and 1985 Scholarships

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 32 is based in Longmont, Colorado, serving the St. Vrain School District and local Home Schools, while Unit 1985 is based in the Carbon Valley area. Both units support veterans, active duty military, and promote Americanism. To be eligible, applicants must be high school seniors at a St. Vrain Valley School. The funds for the scholarships are raised at the St.

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Carbon Valley Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

The Carbon Valley Chamber of Commerce Scholarship assists Carbon Valley area high school seniors in achieving their post-secondary education and career goals. The Chamber serves the Colorado municipalities of Dacono, Firestone, and Frederick. Be a high school senior at a St.

Cemex Scholarship

Cemex, a global building materials company with a presence in Lyons, Colorado, offers a scholarship to St. Vrain Valley Schools seniors. Cemex is committed to improving the wellbeing of those it serves through innovative building solutions, efficiency advancements and sustainability efforts. At Cemex Lyons, they currently manufacture a lower-carbon product called Portland-limestone cement, with 10 percent lower carbon intensity than conventional Portland cement. The Lyons Cement Plant plays a key role in the state’s economy, helping to meet growing demand for affordable infrastructure. They collaborate with local nonprofits and community organizations to help make Lyons, the St.

Cundall Trust Fund Scholarship

The Cundall Trust Fund, managed by US Bank, also provides scholarships to St. Vrain Valley Schools seniors.

Donna Bower Scholarship

The Donna Bower Scholarship is available to high school seniors at a St. Donna Bower was a long time employee of the St.

Evelyn C. Elder Memorial Scholarship

The Evelyn C. Elder Memorial Scholarship is provided by the Elder family and their friends to honor Evelyn C.

Jessica Easley Memorial Scholarship

The Jessica Easley Memorial Scholarship honors a devoted and inspiring teacher who dedicated three decades to teaching elementary students at Lyons Elementary and Niwot Elementary. Jessica was committed to every student’s success. She was a kind, passionate, and funny teacher who went above and beyond, to encourage learning, and perseverance. She was always attentive to each student who may have needed an alternative way of learning through games-based projects, hands-on activities, and always infused laughter and joy. She taught kids how to go above and beyond, to building independence, in order to reach their potential. This scholarship is a lasting legacy to support students who embody the same values and love for learning that she always shared with her students in the community on a daily basis. This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors at a St.

Julia Seltzer Memorial Scholarship

The Julia Seltzer Memorial Scholarship is available to high school seniors at a St. Julia’s mother Laurel taught ESL and social studies at Sunset Middle School for 4 years.

Longmont Latinx Voices (LLV) Scholarship

The Longmont Latinx Voices (LLV) group, created in 2019, raises funds for local students to help elevate them to a better place through the power of knowledge. To be eligible, applicants must be a student who is well-rounded and has participated in at least 2 high school activities.

Mead Area Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

The Mead Area Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to assist and provide a voice for Mead business community. They support organizations that serve the Town of Mead and its neighboring communities by promoting the visibility, credibility and profitability of their members. This scholarship is available to high school seniors at a St.

Pearl Street Fitness Scholarship

Pearl is a local organization that focuses on providing single parent families the hope and skills necessary to build an economically and emotionally stable home environment through sustainable programs. This scholarship is available to high school seniors at a St.

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Superintendent’s Aspiring Educator Scholarship

Dr. Jackie Kapushion has established the Superintendent’s Aspiring Educator Scholarship to support and encourage future PreK-12 educators, including teachers, counselors, and other education professionals. With nearly 40 years of service in public education, Dr. Kapushion has dedicated her career to advancing student success and strengthening the teaching profession. In 2025, she was appointed Superintendent of St. Vrain Valley Schools after serving in multiple leadership roles, including Deputy Superintendent. This scholarship is available to high school seniors at a St.

St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation and Front Range Community College Foundation Scholarship

The St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation and the Front Range Community College Foundation have joined in partnership to offer scholarships to students from St.

Town of Frederick Scholarship

The Town of Frederick Board of Trustees established the Town of Frederick Scholarship in 2008. This scholarship is awarded to Frederick residents that are graduating seniors.

Longmont Twin Peaks Rotary Club Scholarship

The Longmont Twin Peaks Rotary Club was chartered by Rotary International on May 18, 1985.

Frederick Alumni Association Scholarship

The Frederick Alumni Association was incorporated in 2010. The primary purpose of the organization is to raise funds for scholarships to be awarded to graduating seniors from Frederick High School. The Frederick High School Education Foundation was formed in 2012 to support academic pursuits for students, alumni, and staff. The Town of Frederick Board of Trustees established the Town of Frederick Scholarship in 2008. This scholarship is awarded to Frederick residents that are graduating seniors.

Longmont High School Booster Club Scholarship

The Longmont High School Booster Club is a parent volunteer organization that supports Longmont High School athletics by fundraising and organizing events that bring the community together to support Longmont High School athletes. They believe that sports are an essential part of the high school experience and they are dedicated to ensuring that LHS athletes have the resources they need to succeed. This scholarship is in honor of Ryan Cornell who loved sports but was unable to play for medical reasons.

Longmont High School (LHS) Prism Scholarship

The Longmont High School (LHS) Prism scholarship is to be awarded annually to a college-bound, academically accomplished, student who self-identifies as LGBTQ. This scholarship is funded by LHS LGBTQ alumni aiming to empower students to continue personal growth and academic success. The founders empathize with the opportunities and challenges of growing up LGBTQ in Longmont.

Ray Hickman Scholarship

Ray Hickman was a long-time employee of the St. Vrain Valley School District at Longmont High School, serving as Principal from 1948 until the mid-60’s when he became the Business Superintendent until his retirement.

Jared Sommervold Scholarship

Mr. Jared Sommervold wanted students to know that life can be an academic struggle at times.

LaVerne Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Mr. LaVerne Johnson & Mrs. LaVern Johnson Memorial Scholarship was created to celebrate the life and legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and their commitment to the Lyons community. Mr. LaVerne Johnson was a longtime Lyons resident and lifelong supporter of Lyons High School. Mrs. LaVern Johnson moved to Lyons as an infant and devoted all 94 years of her life to the Lyons community she loved. She was a tireless advocate for the Town of Lyons, being a remembered for her decades-long effort to prevent the closure of Lyons’ schools. Beginning her fight in 1948, she remained unwavering in her commitment to ensuring that education remained at the heart of the community.

Mead Mavericks Award

The Mead Mavericks award is given in honor of former player Graysen Wolff. The award was established in 2013. This scholarship is given to the best 2 teammates in the senior football class.

Oxy/Mead Energy Academy Scholarship

Oxy’s vision is to lead the industry by reaching for the impossible, then achieving it. They do this by having the right assets in the hands of remarkable people driven by passion to outperform. The Mead Energy Academy develops leaders with the knowledge, skills and passion necessary to actively participate in the complex and changing field of energy, and through unique research experiences create solutions for the world’s future energy needs.

Skyline High School Booster Club Scholarship

The Skyline High School Booster Club is a parent-run volunteer group dedicated to supporting the student body, athletics, arts and clubs at Skyline High School.

External Scholarship Opportunities

In addition to the scholarships managed by the St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation, numerous external opportunities exist. These are local scholarship opportunities that have been sent to St. Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation. The Education Foundation is not part of the funding, application or decision process for these scholarships.

Colorado-Specific Scholarships

Boettcher Foundation Scholarship

The Boettcher Foundation seeks dynamic thinkers, doers, and difference-makers who will stay in Colorado and positively impact the state.

Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) Scholarship

The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) supports under-resourced graduating high school students in Colorado, providing financial assistance for skilled trades education. They have partnered with Scholarship America, the nation’s largest scholarship administrator, to lead their scholarship program.

Bright Futures Scholarship

Bright Futures is a Weld County, Colorado workforce initiative designed to strengthen the vitality of the Weld County community.

Centennial Lending Scholarship

This exclusive $1500 scholarship is available to employees of our credit union partners, as well as their spouses, children, and grandchildren.

P.E.O. Scholarship

P.E.O. is a philanthropic educational organization for women built upon service and philanthropy as an outgrowth of its social bonds of love and friendship. Friendship is the cornerstone of P.E.O. It is the legacy left by our Founders and it thrives in our unique Sisterhood. P.E.O. Colorado State Chapter was organized on January 23, 1903, in Denver, as the fourth state chapter in our Sisterhood. The eight founding chapters soon grew to eleven that same year.

The Carbon Valley Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR or DAR) Scholarship

Weld County High School seniors who meet general qualifications and are scheduled to graduate in the spring are encouraged to apply. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on their outstanding academic results, leadership in the community, Stamped involvement, and plans to further their education.

The Hispanic Education Foundation Scholarship

The Hispanic Education Foundation Scholarship is not based solely on a student’s grade point average (GPA) or their community service. All students are encouraged to apply.

The Independent Community Bankers of Colorado (ICBC) Scholarship

The Independent Community Bankers of Colorado (ICBC) will award five (5) $1,750, one-time scholarships, to be applied towards the cost of tuition, fees, or books at a public or private university, college, junior or community college, or vocation/trade school.

PGE Foundation Scholarship Opportunities

The PGE Foundation, an independent philanthropic organization, aligns its grantmaking with Portland General Electric’s commitment to the communities it serves. Founded in 1997, the Foundation was created through an endowment with the purpose of improving the quality of life for all Oregonians. Since our inception, more than $33 million in investments has helped community-based organizations expand access to education, creative expression, and career pathways that strengthen long-term economic prosperity.

Focus Areas and Grant Pillars

PGE Foundation welcomes applications from eligible nonprofits through four focus-specific grant pillars: Career-Connected Learning, Creative Expression, Climate Resilient Communities and Career Pathways. While the majority of grants support projects and programs that align with our funding priorities, we also award grants for operating expenses and new and existing capital construction projects for organizations whose mission, vision and values align with these pillars.

Climate Resilient Communities Fund

The PGE Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its new Climate Resilient Communities Fund. Opening in March 2026, the Climate Resilient Communities Fund will help strengthen community preparedness, protect vulnerable populations, and support long-term environmental and economic vitality across Oregon. This new investment builds on extensive engagement with community partners and reflects the growing urgency of climate-related risks facing Oregon communities today, particularly those historically under-resourced.

Strategic Shift

As part of this strategic shift, the Foundation will begin phasing out its Creative Expression funding pillar in 2026 and integrate arts-based learning into the Career-Connected Learning pillar beginning in 2027. Since its inception in 1997, the PGE Foundation has been a committed supporter of Oregon arts and culture. The Foundation deeply values the role of the arts in education, culture, and community wellbeing. This is an intentional integration of creative expression into our traditional STEM education priorities, recognizing the role of the arts in applied, career-connected learning.

Application Process

Eligible applicants may apply by completing an online grant application in one of four funding pillars: Career-Connected Learning, Creative Expression, Climate Resilient Communities and Career Pathways. View application deadlines.

Impact

In 2024, through grants totaling over $1.6 million, we focused on organizations that empower communities in urban and rural areas, each with their unique challenges and opportunities.

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