CU Boulder Scholarships

The CU Boulder Scholarship Application is available year-round offering a wide range of scholarship and funding opportunities to our students. This includes donations from private individuals, corporations, foundations, and the University of Colorado. While the donors specify the award criteria, the selection of recipients is made by the approprate college or department. Any scholarship that has financial need as criteria for eligibility also requires a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Visit the CU Boulder Scholarship page for detailed instructions, tips, and applications.

Environmental Studies Scholarship

Continuing students can access the scholarship application through BuffPortal under the Financial Aid tab. You will be prompted to complete the general application once you log in. This application is used for multiple scholarships and requires information about extracurricular activities, community service, work and an essay.  For information on accessing the CU Boulder Scholarship Application, consult the Guide to the Scholarship Application for Continuing Students.

  ENVS Scholarship Applications are typically due in March

Scholarships in the Environmental Studies department are awarded to students declared in the major who meet the following criteria:

  • Enrolled full-time as an undergraduate major in Environmental Studies,
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the Environmental Studies department
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

ENVS will place an emphasis on applications from students who demonstrate a passion for public service, community engagement, scholarship in the public good, or other forms of civic engagement. In order to apply, students should submit the CU Boulder Scholarship application and complete the supplemental question. Students who apply by the deadline will be considered for the following available scholarships to be awarded in the Fall Semester:

ENVS Undergraduate Scholarship 

The Environmental Studies department is happy to receive donations in order to provide scholarship support to Environmental Studies students. The accumulation of various donations, combined with funds from the Ruthann H. LeBaron Fund, allows the ENVS department to award scholarship funds to multiple students each year. 

Eligibility: Must be a declared major in Environmental Studies and maintain a 3.0 GPA. In the case of equal qualifications, financial means will be a consideration. 

Amount: Ranges from $500—$1000 depending on donations.

Rocky Mountain Community Bridge Scholarship

The Environmental Studies department is happy to receive donations in order to provide scholarship support for non-traditional and underrepresented students from the Rocky Mountain Region who are enrolled in the Environmental Studies major. Various donations will allow for the department to award scholarship funds to students beginning Spring 2021 and continuing each year.

Eligibility: Undergraduate students from the Rocky Mountain Region (within 600 miles of Boulder, CO), who've declared the ENVS major. Students may be enrolled less than full-time and have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Non-traditional students including: First-generation college students, community or other college transfers, First Nation students, older students, veterans, and students with children or other family members under their care are encouraged to apply. 

*To provide support for non-traditional students from the Rocky Mountain Region in Environmental Studies, please include "Rocky Mountain Community Bridge (RMCB)" in the Giving Comments when you donate to the Environmental Studies Undergraduate Scholarship Fund on the "Donate" page. 

Amount: Ranges from $250 - $1000 depending on donations.

Wickholm Scholarship 

 Mr. and Mrs. Donald M. Wickholm established the fund in memory of their son, Kim Wickholm, a 1976 graduate in Environmental Conservation. The Kim Wickholm Memorial Scholarship annually provides financial aid to an undergraduate student majoring in Environmental Studies. The fund seeks to encourage and reward those students who demonstrate strong academic performance, show concern for the natural environment, and wish to pursue careers in Environmental Studies. 

Eligibility: Must be a full-time student with a declared major in Environmental Studies. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academic performance and in the case of equal qualifications, financial means will be a consideration. Previous awardees may re-apply if they still meet the qualifying criteria.

 

Joseph "Joey" Herrin Endowed Memorial Scholarship Fund

From a young age, Joey Herrin cultivated a love of nature while hiking, camping, rock climbing and biking in Texas. After high school, he traveled across the country, visiting over 40 national parks and working at farms, parks and outdoor ventures, also attending a semester with NOLS in Patagonia. He landed in Colorado and started college at the age of 28, while working park maintenance at a local park system. His stewardship extended beyond the environment to his friendships, relationships and pets and he was known for his acts of kindness.

Attending CU Boulder was a high point, as he immersed himself in learning as much as he could, both in and out of the classroom. As he enrolled during the pandemic, he was delighted when he finally got to attend in-person and meet his professors. When he first enrolled in college, he told us that he just wanted to make a difference. And so he did. The purpose of this scholarship is to always “make a difference”, for the environment and for students like Joey

Eligibility: Must be a declared major in Environmental Studies and maintain a 2.5 GPA. Preference is given to non-traditional students who are “returning” to the University, to include veterans and transfers from community college.

Amount: Ranges from $500—$1000 depending on donor distributions.

Kristen Elizabeth Lyell Scholarship Fund

Kristin Elizabeth Lyell (known as "Krunch" to her family and friends) was born December 12, 1968 in Nashville, TN and grew up in that area.  She loved people, all sorts of animals and loved to travel.  Krunch eventually transferred to the University of Colorado at Boulder because of her growing interest in the environment and the outdoors.  Once she got to CU, she quickly became an environmental activist and decided to change her major from political science to environmental science.  

"Krunch definitely left her mark on this Earth, which is one reason our family wanted to start a fund through her estate.  We hope and believe that the recipients of this scholarship will strive to make their mark through community service, academic work and daily life.  Through this scholarship we hope to continue her efforts." -The Lyell Family

Eligibility: Must be a declared major in Environmental Studies and maintain a 2.5 GPA.  Demonstrated financial need as determined by the "FASFA/CASFA." 

Amount: Ranges from $1000-$2000 depending on donor distributions.