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SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS
Awarded by Lynn Mitzlaff

2-Year DLM Award Amount: $5,000 (renewable for 1 additional year) to cover tuition, fees, and books. At the donor’s discretion, remaining funding within this maximum may be applied to on-campus housing and/or board or other needs. The scholarship will be paid directly to the financial office of the recipient’s chosen school.

Selection: Recipient will be selected by the DEF Scholarship Committee in conjunction with the Donor Family. Finalists will be interviewed before a final decision.
 

ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible, the student must:

• Enroll in an associate's degree or certificate program in Colorado, the Four Corners region, or a Western Undergraduate Exchange school, leading to a vocational/associate's degree

• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5

• Have significant financial need, with successful applicants typically having a family income of $150,000 or less

  • Financial need will be an important consideration, but GPA is not necessarily the deciding factor

• Demonstrate character, focus, and dedication to pursuing higher education with a strong commitment to specific career goals
   

INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

1. A COMPLETE APPLICATION

2. Academic Transcript: 2.5 minimum GPA

   • ​A complete senior transcript showing sustained GPA may be required before the award is remitted to the student’s choice of college.

3. Statement of Financial Need

   • Include a copy of the applicant’s FAFSA confirmation email AND the first two pages of the 2022 & 2023 IRS income tax returns (emancipated minors should provide their own).

   • DLM Financial Statement:
     ​The statement should include the family’s intended support contribution, student’s work plans, other scholarships awarded, and evidence of proper planning for college financial needs. All financial and application information is held in strict confidence by the D.E.F. Scholarship Committee. (500 words maximum)

4. Three Letters of Recommendation

   • #1 and #2: Two letters from teachers or staff working directly with the applicant in high school, addressing the student’s accomplishments and potential for future success.

   • #3: One letter from an unrelated person involved with the student in extracurricular activities (e.g., employer, church, scouts, 4-H, etc.), addressing qualities like leadership, curiosity, self-motivation, character, and perseverance.

5. #1 College and Career Essay:

   • What are your education and career goals? What makes you passionate about this future path? What have you done so far to pursue these future goals? What will you be doing 1 and 5 years after college graduation? (600 words maximum)

6. #2 Obstacles Essay: 

   • What challenge, big or small, are you proud to have persevered through, and what challenges, as you enter college, do you still have ahead of you? (300 words maximum)
      

DLM SCHOLAR REQUIREMENTS

• The scholarship is renewable for a total of two years.

• To renew:

  • The student is required to personally contact the Mitzlaff family by phone at least once per semester with updates regarding school and general college experience.

  • By March 1st of the following year, the student must submit grades for all previous terms (semesters or quarters) showing a GPA of 2.5 or better in each term, along with a 500-word (maximum) essay discussing the student’s progress in college.