Current Biology Students

This fund supports students in the sciences with a focus on minority students. Funds will be used to support student research opportunities and hire minority students as teaching, learning, and/or instruction assistants to improve student retention.

Awards average $3,000 per semester (for work as a TA/LA) with an additional $1,000 living stipend paid out in three separate installments throughout the semester.

Applications typically open twice a year – once in November and again in the spring. Acceptance is contingent on the number of Scholars who are returning. If all the Scholars selected in the fall return in the spring, then there may not be a spring call for applications.

For questions about the Patton Scholars program, please email Dr. Shalini Srinivasan at [email protected].

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Applicants must:

• Be a Biology, Chemistry, or Biochemistry major.
• Be interested in taking on a leadership/mentorship role
• Have previously taken coursework in Biology and/or Chemistry 
• Be in good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.0 

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Scholarship commitments include:

• To serve as a teaching, learning, or instructional assistant for assigned course(s)
• To support activities throughout the duration of the program’s support
• Voluntary evaluations
  • Impact of program on personal, academic, and professional development

The Reisher Scholars Program is one of Colorado’s premier scholarship programs. While many scholarships help students start college, the Reisher Scholars Program supports students midway through college with the financial means to complete their undergraduate degree. Awards range from $4,000 to $11,000 per year at one of seven partner universities. The scholarship provides for the full cost of attendance to be met- often called a full-ride scholarship. 

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Applicants must:

• Be a Colorado resident. 
• Plan to enroll in the fall as a full-time college student working toward their first four-year degree at one of the Reisher Partner Universities. 
• Be a rising sophomore or incoming transfer student from a community college. 
• Demonstrate one or more of the following personal qualities: 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 experiences. 
• Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. 
• Have financial need as demonstrated by FAFSA. 

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Apply at the MSU Denver General Scholarship Application. 

• Application opens early December. 
• Priority deadline for sophomore applicants March 10th. 
• Priority deadline for community college transfers May 1st. 
• Awardees will be notified late May/early June (sophomores) and late July (community college transfers). 
• Search for Reisher or Reisher transfer (if you are a community college or junior college transfer student) under the “Opportunities” tab, once you’ve completed the general application.

The Puksta Foundation promotes civic engagement among students at MSU Denver by offering scholarships to students ready to get involved in causes on and beyond our campus. If you’ve got a desire to make a difference in your community, you may qualify for a Puksta scholarship. Scholars will attend monthly meeting, have mentor relationships, and complete civic engagement activities. ____________________________________________________

Applicants must:

• Be a full-time student at MSU Denver (defined as at least 12 credit hours per semester)*
  • *Exceptions may be made by the Student Access Center for students with documented disabilities
• Be a rising sophomore or freshman
  
• Have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA
• Have completed the FAFSA or the CASFA (Colorado Application for State Financial Aid) and meet MSU Denver’s institutional financial aid satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements
• Have graduated from a high school in Colorado and be a Denver resident for at least 6 months prior to entering college or have graduated from a Denver high school
• Have an expected family contribution (EFC) below 2.5 times the maximum EFC to qualify for the Federal Pell Grant
• Complete the University’s General Scholarship Application

Award amount:

• Minimum $5,000 per year, renewable up to four years 

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Apply at the MSU Denver General Scholarship Application  

• Application opens early December, priority deadline March 31st. 
• Interviews through late March and April
• Awardees notified early May. 
• Search for Puksta under the “Opportunities” tab, once you’ve completed the general application.

The Fund is established to provide scholarships to benefit students majoring in biology at Metropolitan State University of Denver.

The scholarship recipient shall:

• Have financial need as determined by FAFSA/CASFA and the University’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Have a declared major in Biology
• Be enrolled full-time (12 or more credit hours)

Selection Process

Apply at the MSU Denver General Scholarship Application. 

Recipient(s) shall be selected by a scholarship committee consisting of at least three faculty or staff from the University’s Department of Biology.

If the committee fails to meet the established deadline, then the final selection of candidates to be awarded (and selection of alternates) scholarships will revert to a qualified committee appointed by the Foundation’s Donor Relations Team and/or the University’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

The Health Careers Opportunity Program (HOP) includes scholarship and mentorship for MSU Denver students interested in entering health and behavioral health fields.

Benefits of the program include: 

• Extensive Life Design Advising 
• Mentoring with a healthcare professional 
• A focus on career planning, financial wellness, social capital and health equity 
• Community with other future healthcare professionals 
• Stipend awards of up to $3000 

Eligibility requirements: 

• Current undergraduate MSU Denver students  
• 2.5+ GPA  
• Interested in a health related field: 
  • Nutrition 
  • Nursing
  • Psychological Sciences  
  • Social Work 
  • Human Performance and Sport 
  • Biology 
  • Chemistry and Biochemistry 
  • Health Professions 
  • Human Services and Counseling 
  • Speech, Language, Hearing Sciences
• DACA recipient/Undocumented status

The Cohen Pacesetter Endowed Scholarship Program supports students in pursuit of their academic and career goals. Scholars admitted to the program will receive a scholarship and wraparound academic, career, and wellness supports. Scholars will be empowered to develop leadership skills, participate in volunteer opportunities, and build their support community through donor connection and peer support.

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Applicants must:

• Be a full-time student (defined as at least 12 credit hours per semester)
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
• Demonstrate financial need by completing the FAFSA/CAFSA
• Agree to complete program student success requirements
• Be a Bachelor degree seeking Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior

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Award amount:

• Varies

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Apply at the MSU Denver General Scholarship Application.

• Application opens early December, priority deadline May 15th.
• Search for Cohen Pacesetter Endowment under the “Opportunities” tab, once you’ve completed the general application.

Program funds can be used for the following:

• Graduate school entrance exams (GRE, LSAT, MCAT, etc.)
• Exam preparation courses (online, hybrid, or in-person)
• Graduate school application fees
• Professional licensure/certification exams
• Professional licensure/certification preparation courses

Program requirements include:

• Applicants must be enrolled in at least 1 credit hour at MSU Denver at the time of proposal submission.
  • For the purpose of this program, the day of commencement (as shown on the official academic calendar) is considered to be the last day of the fall or spring semester.
  • Students who apply during the summer need to be registered for at least one credit during summer or for the upcoming fall term.
  • Applicants cannot apply more than 90 days before the registration window opens for the exam or preparation course, or before they plan to pay their graduate school applications fee(s).
  • If an application is received more than 90 days prior to this date, it will be denied and the student will be advised to resubmit within the appropriate time frame.
• The program is funded on an annual basis each fiscal year (July 1 – June 30), and fund availability will differ year to year. To check the maximum award amount for the current award cycle, click the link to the program here.
• All students are encouraged to apply. However, those exhibiting financial need will have funding priority.
• Funds from this program are not eligible to be used for fees paid to MSU Denver.

How to apply:

Once the proposal form is submitted the funding committee will review your proposal within 3-5 business days. You will receive an email notification once a decision has been made.

Program Contact Information: Sarah Goldenberg, Graduate School Pathways Coordinator, [email protected]