About the BPI Scholars Program
The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) is dedicated to supporting under-resourced graduating high school students in Colorado. We recognize the challenges these students face and firmly believe that access to quality education and career opportunities should be available to all. Our focus on career and technical education (CTE) helps students enter skilled trades, which are increasingly in demand.
To bridge the gap, we launched the BPI Scholars Program for graduating seniors from the Denver Front Range Community. This initiative provides financial assistance to students enrolling full-time in a two-year community college or technical college in Colorado, empowering them to secure stable, well-paying careers.
Beyond financial support, we aim to inspire our scholarship recipients by providing the tools and encouragement needed for success. We believe every student deserves the opportunity to thrive, and BPI is here to make that a reality.
The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest manager of scholarships and education support programs. Eligibility is determined by the sponsor, and applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Preference is given to graduating high school seniors from Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Weld, and Jefferson counties. However, all are welcome to apply.
- Minimum GPA: 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
- Enrollment: Must enroll full-time (minimum 12 credit hours) at a Colorado-based two-year community college or accredited technical school for the upcoming academic year.
- Field of Study: Must be pursuing a certification or degree in any field included in the Colorado Career Cluster Model, excluding Business, Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Public Administration.
- Certification Programs: Must be through an accredited institution and follow a standard academic calendar. Programs must be at least one semester in length, with students enrolled at the time of award disbursement. Prerequisite courses are ineligible.
Award Details
- Scholarship Amount: Up to $5,000, based on program costs.
- Payment Method: Funds are paid directly to the institution and mailed to the recipient’s home address.
- Number of Awards: A minimum of six scholarships will be granted.
- Renewability: Awards are not renewable, but students may reapply each year if they meet eligibility requirements.
- Additional Benefits: Recipients may be eligible for mentorship and student support from the sponsor.
- Usage: Awards cover qualified education-related expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and required supplies/equipment.
Important Dates
- Application Deadline: April 21, 2025, 3:00 PM CT
- Recommendation Deadline: April 24, 2025, 3:00 PM CT
- Notification: Applicants will be informed of the results in late July.
- Scholarship Payments: Processed by Scholarship America and available until December.
Selection Criteria
Recipients are selected based on:
- Academic record
- Leadership and participation in school and community activities
- Work experience
- Statement of educational and career goals
- Unusual personal or family circumstances
- Online recommendation
- Financial need, as determined by Scholarship America
Not all applicants will receive an award. The selection decisions made by Scholarship America are final.
Required Application Materials
To complete your application, you must submit:
- A current, complete transcript of grades, including:
- Student name
- School name
- Grades
- Credit hours for each course and term
- (Optional) First two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040 (for financial verification).
- Note: Black out all social security numbers and bank account information before submission.
- One online recommendation form, submitted no later than April 24, 2025, 3:00 PM CT.
Important: Your application is not complete until all required materials are submitted electronically.
Empower your future with the BPI Scholars Program—apply today!
