Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about the application process:
Communication Process:
Scholarship Payment:
How can the DSF Scholarship be used:
Transferring:
Didn’t find an answer to your question? Feel free to contact DSF at (303) 640-6564 or collegeinfo@denverscholarship.org.
Questions about the application process:
When is the DSF Scholarship Application due?
The DSF Scholarship Application is due April 1 each year, but submitting the application is only the first of several steps in the application process.
To receive a DSF Scholarship, students must meet our Eligibility Requirements and complete our application process detailed in the Checklists for New and Renewal Applicants.
When should I apply for the DSF Scholarship?
You should apply to DSF during your senior year of high school or within one year of your high school graduation. You may renew your scholarship for a total of five years.
Am I eligible for the DSF Scholarship?
To be eligible for a DSF Scholarship for the 2013-14 school year, you must meet certain eligibility requirements listed at www.denverscholarship.org/eligibility
Am I a New or Renewal DSF Scholarship Applicant?
New Applicants
Follow the Checklist for New Applicants if you:
- Will graduate from high school in 2013
- Graduated from high school in 2012, but are applying for the DSF Scholarship for the first time
- Received an email from DSF instructing you to apply as a New Applicant
Renewal Applicants
Follow the Checklist for Renewal Applicants if you:
- Have been awarded a DSF Scholarship in the past
- Are a member of a DSF Cohort from a previous year
- Were notified that you were a DSF Scholar, but you did not receive a scholarship award
- Received an email from DSF instructing you to apply as a Renewal Applicant
How many years can I renew my DSF Scholarship?
DSF Scholarships are renewable for up to a total of five years of support, depending on the type of college in which you are enrolled. Knowing in advance how many years you can renew the DSF Scholarship will help you create the perfect college path with continued financial support from DSF. For more information on how many years you can renew the DSF Scholarship, visit www.denverscholarship.org/yearsofeligibility.
Communication Process:
When will I find out if I qualify for the DSF Scholarship?
Before DSF can determine if you will receive a DSF Scholarship there are certain deadlines and requirements you must meet. DSF will send you a letter in May (New Applicants) or June (Renewal Applicants) notifying you if you met all the initial requirements.
DSF will then send you a letter in late August or late September for the fall term (depending on when your information is received from your college) notifying you if you will receive a scholarship award for that term.
When should I expect to hear from DSF?
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New Applicants
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May
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DSF will notify you of your application status.
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Renewal Applicants
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June
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DSF will notify you of our application status.
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New & Renewal Applicants
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July
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DSF will notify you if you failed to meet an eligibility requirement that will change your application status.
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New & Renewal Scholars
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Late August or Late September
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You will be notified if you have qualified for a fall term scholarship.
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New & Renewal Scholars
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Late January or Late February
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You will be notified if you have qualified for a spring term scholarship.
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How do I update my contact information with DSF?
To update your contact information with DSF, visit www.denverscholarship.org/contactupdate. After you apply for the DSF Scholarship, DSF will send you news and updates throughout the application process. It is very important for you to keep your contact information up-to-date with DSF.
Scholarship Payment:
How much is the DSF Scholarship?
Your scholarship award depends on the college you attend:
- College Type (i.e., 4-year college, community college, technical college)
- For New Scholars, it depends on whether the college you attend is a partner or non-partner with DSF.
For a list of eligible colleges and information about DSF Partner Colleges, visit www.denverscholarship.org/colleges.
The amount of your scholarship award also depends on:
- * Your Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
- Number of credit hours for which you are enrolled
The 2013-14 scholarship amounts detailed in the following tables are annual flat rates for students who enroll full-time for the entire academic year (August – May or September – June). DSF Scholarship awards are prorated for students enrolled less than full time.
DSF Scholarship award amounts may change annually.
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New Scholars
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College Type
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DSF Partner College:
EFC
0-> 5,081
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DSF Partner College:
EFC
5,082 -> 10,162
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Non-Partner College:
EFC
0 -> 10,162
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4-year College/University
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$2,800
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$3,400
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$1,000
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Community College
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$1,400
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$1,700
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$500
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Technical College
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$1,100
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$1,400
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$250
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If you have applied before but have never been a DSF Scholar or part of a DSF Cohort, you are a New Scholar.
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Renewal Scholars
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College Type
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DSF Partner College:
EFC
0-> 5,081
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DSF Partner College:
EFC
5,082 -> 10,162
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4-year College/University
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$2,800
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$3,400
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Community College
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$1,400
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$1,700
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Technical College
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$1,100
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$1,400
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If you are part of a DSF Cohort or have received a DSF Scholarship, you are a Renewal Scholar.
* To receive a DSF Scholarship, your EFC must be less than twice the maximum qualifying EFC for the federal Pell grant (10,162 in 2013-14) upon completion of your financial aid file. The Pell limit is set by the federal government each year.
To see the specific scholarship award amounts at the college you are planning to attend, visit www.denverscholarship.org/colleges and click on your college name.
For information on how long you can continue to receive the DSF Scholarship, visit www.denverscholarship.org/yearsofeligibility.
When will my DSF Scholarship payment be sent to my college?
DSF strives to process scholarship awards within the first two weeks of the semester. However, before DSF can process your scholarship award, DSF must first confirm that you have:
- Demonstrated a qualifying EFC (0 - 10,162); and
- Enrolled at least half-time; and
- Completed all financial aid requirements by July 15, 2013 for the fall term or November 1, 2013 for the winter/spring term; and
- Earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0; and
- Met Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements; and
- Met all Student Success Requirements (SSR).
NOTE: If you transfer colleges, you must meet all the requirements above as well as:
- Complete a College Choice Form (CCF) at www.denverscholarship.org/CCF by July 15, 2013 for the fall term or November 1, 2013 for the winter/spring term.
If you qualify for a scholarship award, your scholarship will be sent directly to your college and an award letter will be sent to you. If you do not meet all of the requirements, DSF will send you a letter explaining the situation.
Since your scholarship award cannot be paid until we confirm all requirements are met, there is a chance that your DSF Scholarship payment will not be received before tuition or other educational expenses are due. We encourage you to discuss payment plan options with the Office of Financial Aid at your college.
How can the DSF Scholarship be used:
At which colleges can the DSF Scholarship be used?
You must attend an eligible college in Colorado in order to receive the DSF Scholarship. For a list of eligible colleges, visit www.denverscholarship.org/colleges.
DSF Scholarship awards may be greater for Scholars attending DSF Partner Colleges than for Scholars attending Non-Partner Colleges. Partnership information will be available at www.denverscholarship.org/colleges.
Can the DSF Scholarship be used for online classes?
Yes, if you register for online classes through a DSF-eligible college and you are meeting all other scholarship requirements:
- Demonstrated a qualifying EFC (0 - 10,162); and
- Enrolled at least half-time; and
- Completed all financial aid requirements by July 15, 2013 for the fall term or November 1, 2013 for the winter/spring term; and
- Earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0; and
- Met Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements; and
- Met all Student Success Requirements (SSR).
Can the DSF Scholarship be used for study abroad?
Yes, if your study abroad program is offered through a DSF-eligible college and you are meeting all other scholarship requirements:
- Demonstrated a qualifying EFC (0 - 10,162); and
- Enrolled at least half-time; and
- Completed all financial aid requirements by July 15, 2013 for the fall term or November 1, 2013 for the winter/spring term; and
- Earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0; and
- Met Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements; and
- Met all Student Success Requirements (SSR).
Can the DSF Scholarship be used for summer classes?
No. The DSF Scholarship only pays for classes taken during the traditional academic year (fall and spring semesters or fall, winter and spring quarters).
Transferring:
Can I keep my DSF Scholarship if I transfer to a different college?
Yes, if you transfer to a DSF-eligible college. You must submit a College Choice Form (CCF) to DSF by July 15 for the fall term or by November 1 for the spring term, and continue to meet all other scholarship requirements. To see a complete list of DSF-eligible colleges, visit www.denverscholarship.org/colleges.
How do I notify DSF if I am transferring?
If you are transferring colleges, you must submit a College Choice Form (CCF) at www.denverscholarship.org/CCF by the following deadlines:
- July 15, 2013 deadline for the Fall 2013 Term – If you decide to attend a different college or you will be transferring for the fall term you must submit a revised CCF by July 15, 2013. Your financial aid requirements at your new or transfer school must be complete by July 15.
- November 1, 2013 deadline for the Winter/Spring 2013 Term –If you decide to attend a different college or you will be transferring for the winter or spring term you must submit a new CCF by November 1, 2013. Your financial aid requirements at your transfer school must also be complete by November 1.
For important transfer information, visit www.denverscholarship.org/transfer.
What other steps must I complete if I am transferring?
If you are transferring colleges, you must begin the transfer process as soon as possible:
- Call or visit the Admissions Office to determine what you need to do to apply to this college.
- Add your new college code to your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- Call or visit the Office of Financial Aid at the college you will be transferring to in order to determine what steps are needed to complete ALL financial aid requirements (updating your FAFSA and submitting any additional information requested by your school). All financial aid requirements must be complete by July 15 for the fall term or November 1 for the spring term.
- Submit a College Choice Form (CCF) by July 15 for the fall term or November 1 for the spring term to inform DSF of your final college selection.
- Meet the DSF Student Success Requirement(s) at your new college. Visit www.denverscholarship.org/colleges to find your new DSF Campus Contact’s information and view the specific requirement(s) at your college.
Visit www.denverscholarship.org/transfer for more information on the transfer process.