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!

• 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 April 15, 2024
  • Requirements for Transfer Students
    • Application deadline is May 15, 2024

  How to Apply: 

  Applications for the 2024-25 school year open on November 1, 2023 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: April 15

  Deadline to apply for transfer students: May 15

  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. 

• President’s Leadership Program

  President’s Leadership Program (PLP)

  The UNC President’s Leadership Program (PLP) is a 2-year, cohort-based leadership development program to be completed during the Junior and Senior years.  The PLP is focused on developing student leaders in the areas of Social Intelligence, Ethics, Problem-Solving, Strategic Planning, and Relational Development. 

  Vision: Developing personal, autonomous leadership through diversity, originality, and inclusivity to create authentic leaders of tomorrow.

  Mission: The President's Leadership Program is a two-year cohort program that strives to empower its members and the community to develop skills in areas including but not limited to inclusion, relational development, and problem-solving by fostering support and facilitating opportunities for the growth of future leaders.

  Students who are selected to participate in the PLP will:

  • Receive a $1,500 annual scholarship
  • Be eligible to apply for a number of other scholarships.
  • Be able to attend state-wide leadership development conferences
  • Attend leadership retreats on campus

  For more information contact dsa@unco.edu. 

• 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. 

   APPLY HERE