ALAMOSA – Adams State University Foundation Scholarships are available for 2018-2019 with an application deadline of March 1. The qualifications for each of those scholarships vary. Applicants must first be accepted at Adams State to apply for scholarships.

Tammy Lopez, executive director of the ASU Foundation, said: “Last year, the ASU Foundation provided $1,104,707 in support through private scholarships and the Grizzly Club.”

There are ASU Foundation Scholarships for students in nearly every major and year in school, including graduate students. Along with applications, some scholarships have additional requirements such as letters of recommendation or letters detailing goals, community service background, and completing the FAFSA.

Adams State also awards many institutional scholarships with variable deadlines and criteria. No application is necessary. All award amounts are given for the regular academic year and are divided evenly between the fall and spring semesters. Students must enroll full-time, in on-campus classes, in order to receive these awards. For the automatic scholarships, full-time enrollment cannot include Extended Studies or graduate level coursework.

This year, two automatic institutional scholarships the SLV Promise Award and the Grizzly Partner Award have expanded to include additional high schools and counties.

The SLV Promise Award ensures an eligible student’s tuition and fees are met. In addition, extra funds may be available for books and supplies. Criteria for the SLV Promise Award includes eligible for full Pell Grant (FASFA shows an expected family contribution of zero); freshman: have an admission index of 80; Continuing students: make satisfactory academic progress; have been admitted to Adams State and complete the FASFA by June 1; register for full-time classes by July 1.

Graduates from any SLV high school may be eligible for the SLV Promise Award as well as the following high schools: Aguilar, Buena Vista, Byron Syring Delta Center, Chaffee County, Coderero Escojido Christian Academy, Hoehne, Holy Trinity Academy, John Mall, Kim, La Veta, Pagosa Springs, Primero, Salida, Trinidad and Trinidad Catholic.

The Grizzly Partner Award provides a discounted dorm and meal plan rate worth $3200, a 40 percent discount, for the first two years at Adams State. Grizzly Partner Award recipients must live on campus; the award is for room/board costs only. Students must be admitted to Adams State and will receive priority advising and course registration. Students from the following counties are eligible for the Grizzly Partner award: Alamosa, Archuleta, Chaffee, Conejos, Costilla, Huerfano, Las Animas, Mineral, Rio Grande, and Saguache Counties in Colorado, as well as Mora, Rio Arriba, and Taos Counties in New Mexico.

According to Erica Romero, Adams State scholarship coordinator, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a vital step in the process. “All students are encouraged to complete and submit the FAFSA to ensure every possible type of student aid will be considered in their financial aid award package.”

Additional automatically awarded scholarships include the Experience Colorado Scholarship, awarded to all non-resident and international students who meet the criteria; Promising Scholar Award, awarded to incoming freshmen who meet the criteria; Academic Achievement Award, awarded to incoming freshmen who meet the criteria; Valedictorian Scholarship, for incoming freshmen who were valedictorians, documented on their final High School transcript; Merit Scholarships for Continuing ASU and Transfer Students, merit scholarships for continuing students, who qualify, will be made each year in May; Milestone Scholarship, awarded to students who earn their first Associate of Arts or Science degree at Adams State; Junior and Senior Room Waivers, students who live in the dorms or apartments as juniors and seniors are eligible for a room waiver. Faculty Drive apartments are not eligible at this time.

Students from many western states, outside of Colorado, are eligible for the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE). The WUE program allows freshmen or transfer students from states throughout the west to pay a discounted tuition rate compared to the university’s out-of-state tuition.

For ASU Foundation Scholarship applications and qualifications for automatic institutional awards and other scholarships, visit scholarships.adams.edu; or call the Adams State Welcome Center at 719-587-8146.

“I encourage students to review our online Scholarship Guide,” Romero said. “Scholarships award money does not have to be paid back.”