Reisher Scholars Program

The Reisher Scholars Program provides post-secondary educational opportunities for Colorado students through scholarship grants at in-state schools. The objective is to enable promising students from Colorado, who do not have sufficient financial resources, to graduate from college in a timely manner with minimal additional educational debt. This scholarship only for undergraduate students working towards their first bachelor's degree. It is both merit and need-based.

Program Details

The program was established in 2001 by the Reisher family. Roger and Margaret Reisher came from modest means and were the first in their families to attend and graduate from college. Appreciating how much their education impacted their lives and success in the banking industry, the Reishers established the program to help fill a gap in Colorado student financial aid. While many scholarships help students get started on their college journey, the Reisher Scholarship is designed to help provide students with the financial means to complete their undergraduate degree.

Currently eight Colorado public universities partner with the Reisher Scholars Program. Students who have completed their freshman year at a partner university or who are transferring into one of the universities from community colleges for their junior year may apply.

The Reisher Scholars Program began at the University of Colorado - Denver in 2003 with the mission to provide educational opportunities for promising Colorado undergraduate students. Scholars are highly motivated, goal-oriented, responsible, and/or likely to make a contribution to society as evidenced by community service, leadership activities, work experience, or unusual experience. Reisher Scholar awards range from $4,000 to $15,000 per year and are determined by completion of the FAFSA and the subsequent unmet need. Awards are renewable if the scholar meets the program requirements.

Eligibility

“Rising Sophomores” will meet the following requirements:

• Be a Colorado resident.
• Be a first-year CU Denver student about to be in their second or sophomore year.
• Have completed 24-54 credit hours at CU Denver prior to the start of the fall semester.
• Be enrolled in a campus-based degree program (not online) and take most classes in person.
• Plan to study full-time (at least 12 credits each fall and spring semester). 
• Be able to and plan to graduate within 3 years after being selected as a Reisher Scholar.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Be eligible for the Pell Grant (Maximum, Minimum, or Calculated) or demonstrate unmet financial need while having a household adjusted gross income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1st.

Community College Transfer students will meet the following requirements:

• Have been last enrolled in a junior or community college.
• Be a Colorado resident.
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 or higher.
• Plan to study full-time (at least 12 credits each fall and spring semester).
• Be enrolled/enroll in a campus-based degree program (not online) and take most classes in person.
• Be able to and plan to graduate within 2 years of the start of the fall semester.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.
• Be eligible for the Pell Grant (Maximum, Minimum, or Calculated) or demonstrate unmet financial need while having a household adjusted gross income less than 300% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Point of Contact

If you have questions about the scholarship, please contact Scholarship Advisor Megan O'Connor via email at megan.e2.oconnor@ucdenver.edu or our Reisher Graduate Assistant via email at amity.allen@ucdenver.edu. For more information, check out the Denver Foundation Page and CU Denver Reisher Instagram Page.