1. What are the qualifications for the Presidential Scholars Program?

The Presidential Scholars Program is designed for entering non-resident freshmen in the top 3-5% of CU-Boulder’s admitted non-resident freshman class. Eligibility is based on high school grade point average, class rank, and test scores.

2. How do I apply for the Program?

Students are automatically considered for the Presidential Scholars Program upon submission of an admissions application. No additional application is required.

3. Do I have to apply to the university by a certain date?

Students need to apply for admission to the university by the January 15 application priority date.

4. How do you know who is in the top 3-5% of the admitted class if you haven't finished admitting students yet?

The Office of Admissions reviews application history from previous years and is able to determine the top 3-5% of the incoming non-resident class from this data.

5. When and how are students notified?

Students will receive a notification from the Office of Admissions. Notification will depend on when the student is admitted to the University, however letters are sent to students beginning in December.

6. How much is the tuition benefit worth?

As a Presidential Scholar, you will be granted an exclusive tuition rate in recognition of your outstanding academic achievements. The Presidential Scholars tuition rate effectively reduces your out of state tuition by $40,000 over a four year period. Scholars are charged a tuition rate which is $10,000 less per year ($5,000 per semester) than what other nonresident students are charged.

7. What other benefits are provided to Presidential Scholars?

Presidential Scholars are part of a community designed to promote academic success and networking. Through a limited series of exclusive events, Scholars have the opportunity to get to know each other as well as to explore a particular topic in areas such as theater, dance, or music. Over dinner, Scholars hear from a CU faculty member who has expertise in the particular area, and then they attend the event itself.

Additionally, Scholars have access to an email “hotline” which they can use for any academic or campus life issues. The hotline is monitored by the office of the Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education. Scholars also receive periodic emails which provide encouragement and helpful tips for academic and co-curricula success.

8. What do I do to accept the offer?

The offer is automatically accepted once you have confirmed your intent to enroll at CU-Boulder. Your confirmation must be postmarked by the May 1 deadline.

9. How do I receive the funds?

Presidential Scholars' tuition will be $10,000 less per academic year ($5,000 less per semester) than what other non-resident undergraduates will be charged. You will automatically see the lower tuition rate directly on your tuition and fees bill. Refer to the Bursar’s Office web site for the Presidential Scholars tuition rate.

10. What are the renewal criteria?

To be eligible for renewal, you must:

• enroll in and successfully complete a minimum of 12 credit hours each fall and spring semester on the Boulder main campus (does not include courses taken through Continuing Education);
• maintain a minimum 2.75 cumulative CU grade point average at the end of each academic year;
• remain a non-resident for tuition purposes;
• meet the Office of Financial Aid’s Reasonable Academic Progress (RAP) standards.

11. If I defer admission to CU, can I retain the offer?

You may defer your admission to CU-Boulder for up to 1 year and still retain the Presidential Scholar designation. You must contact the Office of Admissions to formally request a deferral.

12. My high school GPA changed since being admitted. Can I send an updated transcript and be reconsidered for the Program?

Yes, until the May 1st confirmation deadline, you may submit an official high school transcript to the Office of Admissions.

13. My ACT or SAT test scores have improved since being admitted. Can I send the updated scores and be reconsidered for the Program?

Yes, until the May 1st confirmation deadline, you may submit official copies of your scores to the Office of Admissions.

14. If I graduate from CU in fewer than four years, can I still get the full amount of the tuition benefit?

Since the tuition benefit is provided on a semester by semester basis, you are limited to receiving that semester’s benefit. If you graduate in fewer than four years, the remainder of the benefit is forfeited. However, if you continue to be enrolled at CU-Boulder in a graduate program, the tuition benefit will be extended until you have graduated or have utilized the maximum 8 semesters of the program, whichever comes first.

15. If I attend summer school, can I get the tuition benefit?

Summer school is not typically funded; however, if you will be enrolled in summer school at CU-Boulder in a minimum of 12 credit hours, you may request to receive a semester’s tuition benefit in lieu of receiving it in the fall or spring. You must contact Scholarship Services to make the request. You will not be automatically credited with the tuition benefit.

16. If I change to an in-state resident, how does that affect the tuition benefit?

The Presidential Scholars Program is for non-resident students only. Therefore, if you become an in-state resident, the remainder of the tuition benefit is forfeited effective with the semester that your residency is changed.

17. Can I receive the funds if I go on Study Abroad?

Yes, if you are participating in a CU-Boulder sponsored Study Abroad program. However, you must contact Scholarship Services to make the request. You will not automatically be credited with the tuition benefit.

18. If I am not enrolled full-time at the start of the semester, what happens? Can I re-join the Presidential Scholars Program the next semester when I am full-time?

If you are not enrolled in at least 12 credit hours on the Boulder main campus at the start of a semester (by the university’s census date), the tuition benefit will be cancelled effective with that semester and the remainder of the benefit will be forfeited. Your tuition charge will revert to the full amount charged to non-resident undergraduate students. The cancellation is permanent and the benefit cannot be reinstated.

19. If I am not meeting the academic terms of the Program, when will my membership be cancelled?

Your academic progress will be reviewed upon completion of the fall and spring semesters.

At the end of the fall semester, if you are failing to meet the Office of Financial Aid’s Reasonable Academic Progress (RAP), your membership in the Presidential Scholars Program will be cancelled effective with the spring semester and the remainder of the tuition benefit will be forfeited. You will be charged the full amount of non-resident undergraduate tuition beginning in the spring semester.

At the end of the spring semester, you must have successfully completed at least 12 credits in the fall and spring semesters, have achieved a minimum 2.75 cumulative grade point average, and must be meeting the Office of Financial Aid’s Reasonable Academic Progress (RAP) policy.

20. If the tuition benefit is cancelled due to failure to meet the renewal conditions, can it be reinstated in the future (i.e. if the student’s grade point average is 2.75 or higher after a future semester)?

No, unfortunately the cancellation is permanent and the benefit will not be reinstated.

21. Do classes taken at CU-Boulder in the summer count toward meeting the renewal conditions (i.e. the minimum 24 credit hours and 2.75 GPA)?

No, a student must meet the renewal conditions based on course work in the regular fall and spring semesters. Summer course work at CU-Boulder does not count toward meeting the renewal standards.

22. If a student goes on the Time Out Program, how does that affect the Program?

The tuition benefit will be available upon your return to CU, assuming that the renewal conditions have been met. You will have the same number of semesters remaining as if you had not participated in the Time Out Program.

23. If a student withdraws without going on the Time Out Program, how does that affect the Program?

A student who withdraws from the university without going on the Time Out Program will forfeit the remainder of the tuition benefit.

24. How does Course Repetition affect the award?

As stated in the Registrar’s Course Repetition Rules, there will be no retroactive transactions done as a result of completing the Course Repetition program - for example, any past probation or suspension changes will not be removed, nor will eligibility decisions for dean's list, athletic or financial aid eligibility, etc. You may not regain your eligibility for the Presidential Scholars Program as a result of Course Repetition.

25. I am receiving other scholarships and/or financial aid. How does that affect the Presidential Scholars Program?

The cost of attendance (COA), also known as the cost of education or "budget", is the total amount it should cost a student to go to school. This amount includes tuition and fees, room and board, and allowances for books and supplies, transportation, and personal and incidental expenses. Any financial aid or tuition assistance that you receive, including the Presidential Scholars tuition benefit, cannot exceed your Cost of Attendance. If it does, you may have aid adjusted and/or cancelled, depending on your individual circumstances.

26. Who may I contact with additional questions?

You may contact Scholarship Services at 303-492-4533 or schlp@colorado.edu.