Scholarships and Grants at CTU Denver South

If you’re ready to build a financial plan for your education, then we’re ready to help. As a student at CTU Denver South, there are a number of steps you can take to help fund your education, and the first step is to schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Advisor. CTU is committed to aiding you in achieving your educational goals, and our team of Financial Aid Advisors is available to assist you in helping you plan for financing your CTU education. They work closely with students and families to provide guidance on available grants and scholarships, and they can help support eligible students through the application process.

Scholarships and Grants: Is There a Difference?

The terms “scholarship” and “grant” are sometimes used interchangeably. In reality, however, there are distinctions between these two forms of financial aid. Most scholarships are based on merit. This means they are awarded to students based on academic or exceptional achievements. Grants, however, may be based on financial need. This means they are awarded based on the financial circumstances of a student in conjunction with other financial aid resources.

Scholarships 101

When determining how to finance your education, it’s a good idea to apply for as many scholarships as you can. Scholarships are considered gift funds that you don’t have to repay. With a little bit of research, you may find there are many scholarships opportunities for eligible students from schools, employers, communities, religious groups, individuals and professional and social organizations. If you are eligible, you may be able to combine multiple scholarships to help cover the cost of your education.

The first place to look for scholarship opportunities is CTU Denver South. We offer new and returning students who meet eligibility criteria the opportunity to take advantage of a number of institutional scholarships*. While each scholarship has its own unique requirements, in general, scholarship criteria usually includes submitting an application and completing any additional requirements for consideration, such as writing an essay or submitting a letter of recommendation. CTU also has several scholarship opportunities available for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.

Some of CTU Denver South’s scholarships include:

CTU Scholarship Fund (CESF)

CTU Scholarship Fund scholarships range from $500 to $2,000 per academic year, awarded proportionately for each quarter of study. Applicants must be full-time students at Colorado Technical University and demonstrate financial need. A 500-word essay that answers the question, “Why are you seeking a CTU scholarship and how will receiving it help you meet your educational and career goals?” must also be submitted with the application.

Jump Start Scholarship

The Jump Start scholarship provides tuition assistance to full-time, undergraduate CTU students who graduated from high school within 12 months of application. A maximum of $3,000 may be awarded, distributed $500 per quarter for the first six quarters of attendance. An essay must be submitted along with the scholarship application, and students who are scholarship recipients must meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards to remain eligible for assistance.

CTU Patriot Scholarship

In 2008, we created a scholarship in partnership with the Yellow Ribbon Fund, Inc. to give back to those whose lives have been altered due to injury while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The scholarship helps these service members broaden their education as they return to their communities or continue to serve in the military. The scholarship is awarded to 50 wounded service members or veterans, spouses, caregivers and dependent, college-ready children each year. Recipients have the option to pursue their degree either as an online student or at one of our Colorado campuses in Colorado Springs or Denver South. The scholarship covers full tuition, course materials, a laptop and textbooks or e-books.

Grants 101

Just like a scholarship, a grant is awarded to eligible students to help finance the cost of their education. Grants, generally do not have to be repaid. Grants can be awarded by the federal government, the state government, schools and private organizations. Grants may also be based on financial need. This means that in some instances you may have to provide supporting documentation, such as federal income tax returns.

The first step in applying for a federal grant is completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA^®). On the FAFSA, you will be required to supply information regarding your household and applicable federal income tax information. Based on this information, the government will generate a number called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC). This EFC number represents the amount the government believes you can contribute to your education. Students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for federal grants according to their EFC and other eligibility factors.

Remember that the federal government is not your only resource for grant awards. In addition to federal assistance, you can also apply to any number of organization-sponsored grants, college-sponsored grants and grants for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. CTU has several available grants for interested and eligible students, some of which include:

Advantage Grant

The purpose of the Advantage Grant is to recognize students who are confronted with acute personal and/or financial hardships in pursuit of a degree at CTU. Current students must be in good academic standing at CTU and newly enrolled students must have been in good academic standing at their last institution. This grant typically awards up to $500 per academic program. In addition to completing an application, candidates must submit a 500-word essay on how they intend to use the skills learned at CTU to benefit others and society.

Degree Completion Grant

The Degree Completion Grant provides former CTU students with the opportunity to return and complete their CTU degree. Eligible candidates whose prior academic records indicate they are within 18 quarter hours of completing an associate degree, 27 quarter credit hours for Bachelor programs, and/or 8 quarter credit hours for Master programs may be eligible to receive a grant in the amount of $1,000.00.

Early College Partnership Continuation Grant

CTU has established the Early College Partnership Continuation Grant to recognize students who have successfully completed a minimum of four CTU concurrent enrollment courses, with a grade of “C” or better, while enrolled at a participating concurrent enrollment high school. Students who qualify will receive a 20% tuition grant applied to one CTU undergraduate degree.

Plan for Your Future

When it comes to financing your education, you’ll discover there are many resources available to help you search for scholarships and grants, including our team of Financial Aid Advisors. They work with students every day, and they’re ready to provide information on the various avenues you can take to apply for tuition assistance. They can even guide you through completing your FAFSA as well as any scholarship and grant applications.

Request information today to start pursuing your educational goals at CTU Denver South tomorrow.

*University grants or scholarships are based on established criteria as published in the University Catalog and are awarded after verification that the conditions of eligibility have been met.

Financial aid is available for those who qualify.