COSI Achieve Scholarship

The “I Have A Dream” Foundation of Boulder County’s (IHDF) Post Secondary Department is dedicated to serving students as they pursue their academic dreams of attending college or any other post-secondary pathway.

“I Have A Dream” Foundation of Boulder County is excited to offer the 2026-2027 IHDF Scholarship with COSI Achieve (Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative). In collaboration with the Colorado Department of Education the scholarship is going to be available through 2029-3030. This scholarship is available to residents of Boulder County who have graduated from a high school in SVVSD or BVSD school district.

Scholarship Highlights:

Maximum award is up to $2000 per year *This scholarship is renewable annually
Organization is looking for a total of 150 students to award
Wrap around services for awardees while receiving the scholarship, starting with Summer Melt program
DEADLINE: application will close once all funding has been awarded – first come first served

Eligibility Qualifications:

Be a resident of Boulder County in Colorado
Must have graduated from a high school in St Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) or Boulder Valley School District (BVSD)
Have a minimum 2.0 unweighted HS grade point average (GPA)
Be classified as an Undergraduate Colorado Resident for Tuition classification (ASSET Eligible) (no Private or For Profit schools)
Attend an eligible Colorado Public Higher Education Institutions in an Undergraduate program (Private or For Profit schools are ineligible)
Must be classified as a full time Undergraduate student in your program – a minimum of 12 credit hours every semester
This scholarship is based on financial need (There is a State income eligibility requirement via SAI from the FAFSA/CASFA or Adjusted Gross Income from Federal Taxes)

Steps to apply:

Prepare application documents: FAFSA/CASFA summary & unofficial high school transcript (images or PDF)
1. The FAFSA/CASFA Summary from the website must reflect the 2026-2027 year and SAI and if you are considered Pell Grant eligible.
Have demographic and college ID information available (including Social Security Number)
Write and review the 3 REQUIRED short answer questions (200 words max per response) *see below
Start, complete and submit the online application (in one sitting)

Short Answer Questions – REQUIRED: Please provide a response in less than 200 words for each question.

Describe an experience, project or assignment in the last year you are proud of. Describe the details that include what it was, how did you complete this task, and how it made you feel.
As you begin this next chapter in your education journey, provide details about your long term career goals. Please describe how this will have a positive impact on your family and your community.
What strengths or skills have you developed that will help you thrive in college? Please provide at least two examples.

Submission agreement:

Keep IHDF updated with current contact information, which includes email, phone number(s), and preferred address.
Apply for financial aid and have a complete financial aid award account with your college.
Maintain scholarship requirements which may include: 2.0 college GPA and meeting academic and financial aid SAP policy.
1. ***If you have any concerns about your current SAP standing, please contact the Post Secondary team.
Students are REQUIRED to submit an online check-in form every semester they are enrolled, or IHDF will put a hold on future payments.
If you are a first time attending student, you are REQUIRED to complete a verbal check-in each semester (in addition to the online check-in).

Scholarship Review & Awarding Process:

Starting June 1, 2026 all applications will first be reviewed bi-weekly for required information. Any incomplete application will be voided and not move forward to the next round.

In the next round all applications will be reviewed by a committee of volunteers. The committee will review applications based on the responses and grammar for the 3 REQUIRED short answer questions. It is recommended that you have someone proofread your responses for spelling and grammar.

If chosen to be an awardee you will receive an award letter, sent to the email listed on the application. There is a REQUIREMENT for all attendees to attend a Summer Melt transition program held by the Post Secondary Department on Friday – July 10, 2026. There will be limited space for each session. A registration link will be in the email you receive.

All Scholarship funds will only be sent to the college/university. Funds are never provided directly to the student. Fall funds will be sent by early August and Spring funds will be sent by early January. Once your college/program receives the funds they will apply them to your financial aid award screen. They determine and distribute funds to your balance according to their disbursement policy.

Questions or concerns: You may email us: college@ihaveadreamboulder.org or call the Post Secondary Department (303-444-3636 ext. 111) with any questions.