DSF Scholarship

The DSF Scholarship is a need-based award for Denver Public Schools graduates. Scholars can attend 30 college partners in Colorado, including technical, community, and 4-year colleges. Scholars must enroll full-time. The scholarship can be renewed for up to five years in a row, and Scholars receive extra support through college and beyond.

You must apply for the DSF Scholarship within one year of graduating high school. For example, the high school class of 2024 must apply by May 1, 2025 and receive their first DSF award by December 31, 2025.

To qualify for DSF, you must:

ATTEND

a Denver Public Schools (DPS) high school for all of high school or since you’ve moved to Colorado.

Graduate

from high school with a final cumulative GPA that meets DSF’s requirement for your college type:

4-Year College/University

• High School GPA at least 2.75 
• OR  get DSF’s approval for an exception

Community College

• High School GPA at least 2.5
• OR get DSF’s approval for an exception

Technical College

• High School GPA at least 2.0

Enroll full-time

• at one of DSF’s 30 College Partners in Colorado.

Show financial need

• with a Student Aid Index (SAI) of 16,640 or less. DSF uses the SAI calculated by your college, which may be different from the SAI from your FAFSA or CASFA.
• Once you’ve had a qualifying SAI, you don’t need to have a qualifying SAI in future years.
• DSF considers appeals for an alternative demonstration of financial need in limited circumstances.

16,640 is 250% of the 2025-26 maximum SAI to qualify for a Pell Grant. The maximum SAI to qualify for a Pell grant may be adjusted each year by the federal government.

Complete

• your college’s financial aid process by July 15.

Meet

• your college’s requirements for Colorado residency (for in-state tuition or state aid).

The DSF Scholarship application for the next school year is in the DSF Student Portal from February to May 1. Log in if you have an account, or create a new account using your DPS ID number and birthdate. You can create your account starting in February of 12th grade.

To apply for DSF, you must also apply for 3 other scholarships or 2 scholarships and a student support program. You need your Social Security Number or your COF ID if you don’t have a Social Security Number. A parent or guardian must sign if you’re under 18.