Scholarship and Leadership Programs
There are many ways for you to get involved in a variety of programs that interest you or to be a leader on campus. Campus leadership and scholarship programs opportunities can enrich your college experience, enhance your learning, help with funding college, and strengthen your community as well as your resume.
Check out the following programs to see if one is right for you!
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Reisher Scholars Program
Reisher Scholars Program
The Reisher Scholars Program helps promising Colorado students earn their undergraduate degrees by awarding scholarships based on financial need and academic merit. This unique program focuses on rising college sophomores and transfer students who have already demonstrated academic and leadership potential as undergraduates.
Awards range from $4,000 to $15,000 per academic year to cover students’ unmet financial need for up to six semesters. The program strives to help students graduate with minimal educational debt.
Program Eligibility
To be eligible for the Reisher Scholars Program students must meet the following requirements:
- Be a Colorado resident (includes tribal affiliation according to Colorado Senate Bill SB21-029)
- Entering their second year at UNC as a continuing student in the Fall of 2024 or transferring from a junior or community college to UNC in the calendar year of 2024
- Have a 3.0 cumulative GPA (minimum)
- Be a full-time student (12 credits a semester)
- Be eligible for the Pell Grant (Maximum, Minimum, or Calculated) or demonstrate unmet
financial need while having a household adjusted gross income (AGI) less than 300%
of Federal Poverty Level
- Completion of the FAFSA by scholarship application deadline (We recognize there are federal delays for the FAFSA this year and encourage students to complete the FAFSA as soon as they are able, please reach out if you have any concerns about FAFSA completion by the scholarship deadline.)
- Submit a University of Northern Colorado Universal Scholarship Application by the indicated application deadline
Program Requirements
- Requirements for Continuing Students
- Application deadline is March 19, 2025
- Requirements for Transfer Students
- Application deadline is May 19, 2025
How to Apply:
Applications for the 2025-26 school year open on November 1, 2024 on the UNC Universal Scholarship Application. Log on to your UNC URSA account, click the "Financial" tab and then select the "UNC Scholarship Application" link.
Based on eligibility criteria, the Reisher Application should generate in your "Recommended Opportunities" section, however, if it does not then you can do a search in "Our Opportunities" for "Reisher Family Scholarship- Continuing" or "Reisher Family Scholarship-Transfer Student" to access the applications.
Deadline to apply for continuing students: March 19
Deadline to apply for transfer students: May 19
Contact Information:
For more information or to find out if you or a student is eligible for the Reisher scholarship, please contact UNC Reisher Coordinator, Sheridan Snapp, at 970-351-2922 or sheridan.snapp@unco.edu. Students can also schedule a "Reisher Interest Meeting" to review application materials and ask further questions.
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President’s Leadership Program
President’s Leadership Program (PLP)
The UNC President’s Leadership Program (PLP) is a 2-year, 9-credit, leadership development program that undergraduate students can apply for as early as their first year at UNC. PLP students participate in cohort-based curricular and co-curricular activities to develop leadership skills and community among scholars. Scholars receive at least $2,000 per year with opportunities for more scholarship funding in their second year of the program.
Leadership Vision: The President's Leadership Program has a vision of leadership as contribution to community, not an inherent trait that only benefits the individual. PLP wants students to leave the program with the skills to be effective leaders in multiple settings.
UNC is a member of the Colorado Leadership Alliance. For more information, visit: https://denverleadership.org/colorado-leadership-alliance/.
Program Eligibility: First year, sophomore, and junior level students with a 3.0 GPA or above are eligible to apply for the President's Leadership Program.
What will I gain from the President's Leadership Program?
- At least $2,000 in scholarship funding per year
- Connection and support through a cohort group of other students leaders
- Unique opportunities to connect to campus and community organizations
- Leadership skill development through experiential learning opportunities (workshops, community service, etc.) and courses
- Opportunities for both personal and professional growth to expand your personal leadership toolkit
What will be required of me in the President's Leadership Program?
- Students are required to complete 9 credits in the leadership program, LEAD 100, LEAD 200, and LEAD 492, by the time of graduation
- Participate in a UNC or community organization
- Participate in one full day workshop each semester
- During your second year in the program, students will plan and present a leadership training to UNC students with their PLP cohort group
How to Apply:
Deadline to apply is July 24, 2024 at 11:59 PM
- If the link above does not work:
- Based on eligibility criteria, the President's Leadership Program Scholarship Application should generate in your "Recommended Opportunities" section, however, if it does not then you can do a search in "Our Opportunities" for "President's" and select "President's Leadership Program (PLP) Application" to apply.
- A complete application includes a recommendation letter and completing 5 short answer questions about your academic motivation, leadership experiences, and why you want to be part of the PLP
Contact Information:
For more information, help with the application, or to find out if you or a student is eligible for the President's Leadership Program and scholarship, please contact Sheridan Snapp, Student Affairs Scholarships and Operations Manager, at 970-351-2922 or sheridan.snapp@unco.edu.
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Robert & Ludie Dickeson Presidential Prize for Leadership
Robert & Ludie Dickeson Presidential Prize for Leadership
The Robert & Ludie Dickeson Presidential Prize for Leadership Award was established by the eighth president of the University of Northern Colorado, Robert Dickeson, and his wife, Ludie, in December of 1990. The award was created to acknowledge and reward student leadership on the UNC campus.
$1,850 award – Awarded to two students (one female identifying student and one male identifying student according to the donor agreement)
Eligibility
To be eligible for this esteemed award, a student must:
- Be a Senior;
- Obtain a GPA of 3.0 or higher;
- Have graduated Summer 2023, December 2023, or be graduating May 2024;
- Have Two (2) letters of nomination
- One letter from a faculty and/or staff member
- AND one letter from a student and/or student organization;
- Have all coursework completed by Spring 2024 Commencement.
- Be considered a student leader by their peers, faculty, staff, and UNC community
The application is now open and the deadline to apply is March 25 at 11:59pm. If you have any questions, please reach out to sheridan.snapp@unco.edu.
