FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
| What is the Boettcher Scholarship? |
The Boettcher Scholarship is the most prestigious merit-based scholarship available to graduating high school seniors in the State of Colorado. Begun in 1952 by Claude Boettcher, the Boettcher Scholarship was initially modeled after the Rhodes Scholarship Program. The purpose of the Boettcher Scholarship is to attract Colorado's best and brightest students to attend college within the state. The Boettcher Scholarship covers the cost of a Scholar's tuition, fees and books for eight semesters/twelve quarters at any of Colorado's four-year universities or colleges. A $2,800 living stipend is also supplied to help defray the cost of room and board. The total amount of the Scholarship depends on a number of factors, including the cost of a Scholar's institution, and can range from approximately $50,000 to $160,000.
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| What are the eligibility criteria for the Boettcher Scholarship? |
Students are eligible to apply for a Boettcher Scholarship if they meet the following minimum criteria:
- Rank - Top 5%: Applicants must rank in the upper 5% of their graduating class. For classes smaller than 40 students, the applicant must rank first or second.
- ACT 27 or SAT 1200: Applicants must score at least a 27 composite on the ACT or a combined score of 1200 on the reading and mathematics sections of the SAT.
- Colorado Resident: Applicants must also be legal residents of the State of Colorado, domiciled in Colorado for their junior and senior year of high school.
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States: Applicants must be citizens of the United States or permanent residents.
- High School Senior: Applicants must be graduating high school seniors, to be graduated by August of the current academic year. Deferrals of the Scholarships are only made in rare circumstances.
All qualified students are encouraged to apply, regardless of gender, creed, ethnic origin, race or sexual orientation. No preference is given based on a student's choice of college or university, high school, city of residence or financial need. Relatives of Trustees, officers or employees of the Boettcher Foundation are not eligible.
Applications are made available to students who meet these criteria either through a high school counselor or, in rare instances, the Boettcher Foundation.
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| What are the selection criteria for the Boettcher Scholarship? |
A committee selected by the Trustees of the Boettcher Foundation awards Boettcher Scholarships.
Boettcher Scholarship selection criteria include:
- Superior Scholastic Ability
- Evidence of Potential Leadership
- Service to Community and School
- Outstanding Character
Selection for the Boettcher Scholarship is based on superior academic achievement, a demonstrated commitment to school and community activities and strength of character. Scholastic eligibility requirements are minimums, not norms. In recent years, Boettcher Scholars averaged in the top 2% in their class by rank and scored 1440 on the SAT and 33 on the ACT. A successful candidate also demonstrates a strong potential for leadership and service. While Boettcher Scholars come from all over the state, represent diverse backgrounds, and possess an incredible array of talents, they share two overriding characteristics: an intense intellectual curiosity and a passion for involvement.
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| How can I obtain a Boettcher Scholarship Application? |
Boettcher Scholarship application information is distributed to Colorado high school counselors each September. If you meet the minimum eligibility requirements, you may contact your counselor for additional application details. Only in rare instances is access to the Boettcher Scholarship application granted directly from the Foundation (typically, in situations where a candidate is home-schooled). Nominations are not used in the Boettcher Scholarship application or selection process. The Boettcher Foundation strongly encourages students to submit their applications electronically via on the secure Boettcher Scholarship website. The Trustees reserve the right to change or modify this program in any manner.
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| How many Boettcher Scholarships are awarded each year? |
The Boettcher Foundation awards 40 Boettcher Scholarships annually. Seventy Finalists are selected to interview for the Scholarship from an initial pool of applicants, which is typically between 900 and 1,200. Finalists must interview in Denver at the Foundation's offices. Following interviews, 40 Boettcher Scholars are chosen. Letters of award are mailed to winners immediately following the interview process.
Since the beginning of the Scholarship Program in 1952, the Foundation has awarded more than 2,000 Scholarships.
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| What is the timeline for applying for a Boettcher Scholarship? |
Boettcher Scholarship information is distributed by the high school counselors every September to eligible seniors. Applications, official transcripts and standardized test scores must be postmarked or electronically time-stamped by 11:59 p.m. November 1 to be eligible for consideration. The Semifinalists are then notified by mail and requested to submit three letters of recommendation. Seventy Finalists are chosen from the pool of approximately 200 Semifinalists. These 70 Finalists are notified of their status by mail and are interviewed in February. Immediately following the Finalist interviews, the 40 winners are notified. The winners then have until mid- to late-April to accept or decline the Boettcher Scholarship.
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| Where do Boettcher Scholars typically attend school? |
Boettcher Scholars may attend any four-year undergraduate college or university in Colorado. With the variety of excellent schools available in Colorado, a fairly wide distribution of Scholars exists among Colorado's institutions for higher learning. There are significant differences between Colorado schools, and, ultimately, the decision about which school to attend must be based upon a Scholar's personal needs, future goals, intended field of study and individual preference. The Foundation suggests students tour the schools, visit with faculty and students and research the wide variety of honors, leadership and research programs available at these institutions before making a commitment to any one school.
2009 enrollment for the current Boettcher Scholars is as follows:
| School (abbreviation) |
# of Scholars Enrolled |
| University of Denver (DU) |
54 |
| University of Colorado at Boulder (CU) |
51 |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
20 |
| Colorado College (CC) |
19 |
| Colorado School of Mines (CSM) |
9 |
| Adams State College |
1 |
| Colorado Christian University |
1 |
| Mesa State College |
1 |
| Regis University |
1 |
| University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS) |
1 |
| University of Northern Colorado |
1 |
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| What is NOT covered by the Boettcher Scholarship? What additional costs must Boettcher Scholars pay for? |
The Boettcher Scholarship does NOT cover all of the expenses incurred while a Scholar earns his/her undergraduate degree. The cost of room and board typically exceeds the $2,800 housing stipend provided by the Foundation by about $6,000 a year. While some universities choose to make up the difference between the cost of room and board and the Boettcher Foundation's living stipend, the additional funding is not guaranteed by the Boettcher Foundation.
Also note that Scholars must budget for personal and miscellaneous expenses, including activities and entertainment. Financial aid departments calculate a "Personal and Miscellaneous Expenses" figure of approximately $1,375 per year. Scholars should also account for additional transportation costs and healthcare.
The differential between the total cost of college and our award can be made up through additional scholarships. In fact, the majority of Boettcher Scholars have earned additional scholarships to supplement their Boettcher Scholarship. These scholarships may come from the Scholar's college or from outside sources. However, the Foundation and the colleges do not want Scholars to accept funds beyond the total expense of college, as figured by the Office of Financial Aid, thereby depriving other deserving students of chances to earn financial support. Consequently, Scholar's total scholarships averaged over four years should not exceed the estimated annual expenses paid by the Scholar.
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