Puksta Annual Scholarship

The Fund exists to provide scholarships to students who have been accepted into the Program.

General Criteria"
The scholarship recipient shall:
o Be meeting the University’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements and cannot be in default or owe any refund/repayment of federal, state, or institutional aid.
o Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
o Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student (12 or more credit hours) during the semester the scholarship is received.
o Have completed the FAFSA or the CASFA (Colorado Application for State Financial Aid)
o Have graduated from a high school in Colorado and be a Denver resident for at least 6 months prior to entering college or have graduated from a Denver high school.
o Have an expected family contribution (or EFC, obtained from completing a FAFSA) below 2.5 times the maximum EFC to qualify for the Federal Pell Grant.
o Complete the University’s General Scholarship Application each year.
o Apply for and be accepted into the Puksta Scholarship Program. Students seeking renewal will be interviewed annually in the Spring to ensure eligibility requirements will be met for the upcoming academic year.
o Complete the requirements of the Program as set forth in the Puksta Scholar Agreement Form, which includes:
• Devote an average of four hours a week to their Puksta project.
• Meet regularly with their Puksta mentor per a pre-determined schedule.
• Attend all Puksta meetings and events.
• Attend at least one professional development event per semester.
• Satisfactorily complete all Program assessments and reflections

Award
$6,500
Deadline
03/31/2025
Supplemental Questions
  1. There are two mandatory short answer questions. Each response should address all parts of the question and be approximately 300 words.
    • Being a Puksta Scholar is more than just receiving a scholarship—you will become part of a supportive community dedicated to making a difference. As a Puksta Scholar, you will work to address a community, social, or ecological issue—and be mentored to turn your ideas into meaningful action. Please share with us an issue that you care deeply about. How might you envision working with others to address this issue as a Puksta Scholar? As you develop your response, we encourage you to engage your imagination and to consider your approach to change.
    • To be successful and genuine in the work we do in the community it is important to be able share our own personal stories. Where we came from, why we do what we do, and where we think we are going are all questions that will be asked of you in this community work. Tell us a story that explains your motivation for participating in your community. What is your personal connection to the social issue area(s) that you are passionate about engaging with? Although you have full creative license here, a framework that might be helpful is discussing a challenge you have faced, a choice you made, the outcome of that choice, and any insights about those experiences. *This is meant to be reflective of your personal story and background, not a summary of your activities in the community or awards.
  2. Did you graduate from a high school in Colorado AND have you been a Denver resident for at least 6 months prior to entering college
  3. Have you graduated from a Denver high school?