The History Department is thrilled to provide undergraduate students with the opportunity to apply and be nominated for numerous scholarships and departmental awards.
Many of our awards and scholarships are funded by the generous donations of our alumni and supporters. Please consider supporting our undergraduate students by making a gift to one of our undergraduate funds .
Carol J. Ehlers Scholarship
The Carol J. Ehlers Scholarship is a multi-year scholarship awarded to incoming first-year students with a major in History who display a strong interest in European History. Recipients will receive an annual award of $1000 for up to four years. The award is merit based. Continuation of the scholarship is contingent upon remaining a History major and maintaining an overall GPA of 3.0 and History major GPA of 3.3.
Award: $1000 annually for up to four years
Application Opens: November 1st
- Complete the CU Boulder Scholarship Application
- Search for "Carol J. Ehlers Scholarship in History"
- Complete the additional essays
- Submit a short essay explaining your interest(s) in European history. (500 word limit)
- Pick one or two European history courses you are particularly interested in taking and explain why. (300 word limit)
Application Deadline: March 15th
Students selected to receive the Erickson Scholarship will be notified in early April.
Cliff and Carol Pearson Scholarship
This scholarship, established by CU alumni Cliff (HIST ’82 and ENGR ’82) and Carol (JOUR ’81) Pearson, provides a $2,500 undergraduate scholarship to a student enrolled in the College of Arts & Sciences who is pursuing a major or a minor in History. Preference will be given to students who are the first generation in their family to attend college, and is limited to students with demonstrated financial need. The scholarship is for one academic year and is renewable based on criteria established by the Department and the University.
Award: $2500.00
Application Opens: November 1st
- Complete the CU Boulder Scholarship Application
- Search for "Pearson Scholarship in History"
- Complete the additional essay
- Describe how this scholarship would help you attain your undergraduate goals (300 word limit)
Application Deadline: March 15th
Students selected to receive the Pearson Scholarship will be notified in early April.
Colton G. Erickson Scholarship
The Colton G. Erickson Scholarship was established by the History Department in memory of former student Colton G. Erickson (1994 – 2018), who graduated in 2017 while living with brain cancer. With the support of Colton’s family, the History Department will award $1000 to an incoming freshman or current undergraduate student with a major in History who has faced adversity and achieved excellence. Preference is given to students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid.
Award: $1000
Application Opens: November 1st
- Complete the CU Boulder Scholarship Application
- Search for "Colton G. Erickson Scholarship in History"
- Complete the additional essay
- Describe your academic and personal path, and any challenges you have encountered, to becoming a history student at the University of Colorado Boulder. (500 word limit)
Application Deadline: March 15th
Students selected to receive the Erickson Scholarship will be notified in early April.
Fred & Virginia Anderson Scholarship
This scholarship, given in honor of Emeritus faculty Fred Anderson and Virginia DeJohn Anderson, is awarded to an incoming freshman or current undergraduate student with a major in History who displays a strong interest in the history of the Americas, Africa, Asia, or the Middle East. Preference is given to students who are the first generation in their family to attend college, and such students are highly encouraged to apply. The scholarship is awarded for one academic year and is renewable based on criteria established by the University.
Award: $1000
Application Opens: November 1st
- Complete the CU Boulder Scholarship Application
- Search for "Fred Anderson Scholarship in History"
- Complete the additional scholarship requirements
- Which world area are you most interested in studying?
- Submit a piece of work in history (from either high school or university) that you are proud of. Include a personal statement explaining the piece of work and your interest in history. (300 word limit)
Application Deadline: March 15th
Students selected to receive the Anderson Scholarship will be notified in early April.
Katherine Jacob Lamont Scholarship
Established in the name of Katherine J. Lamont, the Lamont Scholarship annually awards $500 - $1000 to continuing (sophomore or junior standing) students within the College of Arts and Sciences. Students are selected in recognition of sustained excellence and exceptional scholarly performance. Qualified history students will be automatically considered by the History Department Undergraduate Studies Committee. Students selected to receive the Lamont Scholarship will be notified in late April / early May.
Robert C. Rogers Scholarship
The Robert C. Rogers Scholarship, established in memory of Robert C. Rogers, is awarded to an incoming transfer or current first-year transfer student with a declared major in History. Preference is given to students with demonstrated financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid. The scholarship is awarded for one academic year and is renewable based on criteria established by the University.
Award: $1000
Application Opens: November 1st
- Complete the CU Boulder Scholarship Application
- Search for "Robert C. Rogers Scholarship in History"
- Complete the additional essay
- Why are you choosing to study history at the University of Colorado Boulder? (300 word limit)
- Submit an unofficial copy of your transcript from your previous institution.
Application Deadline: June 15th
Students selected to receive the Rogers Scholarship will be notified in early July.
Charles R. Middleton Award
Charles R. Middleton is a former member of faculty in the History Department, and former Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. Through a fund established in his honor, the Department annually awards up to $1000 (or a portion of that total if the award is shared between two or more recipients) to a student undertaking research leading to an Honors Thesis in History. Application is restricted to students enrolled in the History Honors Seminar (HIST 3110) and students will be notified by the Honors Director of when and how to apply.
Honors Thesis Award
The History Department sponsors an annual award of $300 for the best Honors Thesis written in History. All theses successfully defended during the academic year will be automatically considered by the History Honors Committee.
James Field Willard Award
The James Field Willard Award of $300 is annually awarded to a History major who has distinguished themself through service related to history. Faculty on the Undergraduate Committee will review all submissions. Details on how to apply will be distributed by the department annually in the spring semester.
Philip Mitterling Paper Award
Philip Mitterling was a former professor in the Department of History. In his honor, the Department annually awards $300 for the best paper written by a History major/minor for a history course at the University of Colorado Boulder. Papers will be judged by faculty on the Undergraduate Committee for presentation of historical arguments, evidence, and perspective. Details on how to submit a paper for consideration will be distributed by the department annually in the spring semester.