SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS

       For a senior graduating from Durango High School or Big Picture High School

Application Cycle: January 11, 2024 - March 11, 2024

Deadline to Submit: March 11, 2024 @ 5PM MST

Amount for 4-yr degree applicants:

$12,500 (renewable up to 3 additional years) 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.

Amount for 2-yr degree applicants:

$5,000 (renewable up to 1 additional years) 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 PROCESS

Recipient will be selected by the DEF Scholarship committee in conjunction with the Donor Family.  Finalists will be interviewed before final decision.

​​

ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

Award Criteria:

For 4-yr degree applicants:

-Recipient must enroll in a 4-year public college or university in Colorado, the Four Corners region, or a Western Undergraduate Exchange school

-Recipient must intend to enter one of these fields: STEM areas (science, technology, engineering, math, medical, business or education)

For 2-yr degree applicants:

          -Recipient 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 degree.

For BOTH 2-yr and 4-yr degree applicants:

        -Eligible student have significant financial need.  Successful applicants typically

         have a family income of $150,000 or less. 

-Student should demonstrate character, focus and dedication to pursuing higher education, with strong commitment to specific career goals.

-Financial need will be an important consideration. GPA is not necessarily the deciding factor in the award.

​

INDIVIDUAL SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

1) A COMPLETE APPLICATION

2) Be prepared to graduate in good academic and behavioral standing. Current transcript showing a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. Complete senior transcripts may be required before award is funded to college.

3) Statement of financial need plus either a copy of applicant’s FAFSA confirmation email AND a copy of  the first two pages of the 2022 & 2023 IRS income tax returns; emancipated minors provide their own. Statement of need should include family’s intended support contribution, student’s work plans, other scholarships awarded, and other evidence of proper planning for college financial needs. All financial and other application information is held in strict confidence by the D.E.F. Scholarship Committee.

4) Three letters of recommendation:

Two from teachers/staff working directly with applicant in high school. Letters should address the student’s accomplishments in high school and potential for future success.

One additional letter from an unrelated person in another organization (employer, church, scouts, 4-H, etc); this letter should address such qualities developed in extra-curricular activities as leadership, curiosity, self-motivation, character, perseverance.

4) #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) 

​

DLM SCHOLAR REQUIREMENTS

The scholarship is renewable for one - three years on an annual basis, depending on your pursuit of a 2-yr or 4-yr degree.

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, plus a 500 word (maximum) essay discussing the student’s progress in college.