Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) Scholars Program 2025

The Bates Philanthropic Initiative (BPI) is deeply committed to making a meaningful impact in our community by supporting Colorado’s under-resourced graduating high school students. We understand the challenges these students face and firmly believe that everyone deserves access to a quality education and viable career opportunities. Our focus on career and technical education (CTE) is essential in today’s workforce, where skilled trades are not just vital but increasingly in demand.

To help bridge the gap, we’ve launched the BPI Scholars program specifically designed for in-need graduating seniors from the Denver Front Range Community. This initiative aims to empower these young individuals by providing them with the financial resources they need to enroll full-time at a two-year community college or technical college in Colorado. By pursuing education in skilled trades, BPI Scholars can secure stable and rewarding careers that offer a living wage.

• Table of Content
• About Scholarship America
• BPI Scholars Program
• Aim and Benefits of BPI Scholars Program
• Requirements for BPI Scholars Program Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for BPI Scholars Program
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Scholarship America

We’re dedicated to removing financial barriers so every student has the opportunity to pursue their dreams.

BPI Scholars Program

Aim and Benefits of BPI Scholars Program

If selected as a BPI Scholar, the student will receive up to a $5,000 award dependent upon the cost of the program they are enrolled in. Payments will be made payable to the institution where the student is enrolled and mailed to the recipient’s home address. A minimum of six awards will be granted. Awards are not renewable, but students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Requirements for BPI Scholars Program Qualification

Applicants for the Bates Scholars Program must meet the following criteria:

• Preference will be given to graduating high school seniors within Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Weld, and Jefferson counties.  Others welcome to apply.
• Have a minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
•  Plan to enroll full-time (min 12 credit hours) at a two-year community college or accredited technical school within the state of Colorado for the upcoming academic year
• Pursuing a *certification or degree in any of the fields featured in the Colorado Career Cluster Model . This scholarship is not eligible for the Business, Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, and Public Administration Career Cluster.
  *Certification programs must be through an accredited institution and must run on a standard academic calendar. Certification programs must be a minimum of one semester/term in length and recipients must be enrolled at the time awards are disbursed. Prerequisite courses are ineligible.

Interview date, Process and Venue for BPI Scholars Program

Selection of Recipients

Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of:

• Academic record
• Demonstrated leadership and participation in school and community activities
• Work experience
• A statement of educational and career goals and objectives
• Unusual personal or family circumstances
• An online recommendation

Documents Required for Application

As part of your application, you must upload the following:

• A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display:
  • Student name
  • School name
  • Grades
  • Credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
• (Optional) Copy of the first two pages of the most recently filed IRS Form 1040 used for the Financial Information section of the application. Please black out all social security numbers and bank account information.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

For more details, visit Scholarship America webpage