Undergraduate Scholarships
APPLICATION & DEADLINE
2023/2024 Naropa Scholarship Application will open October 1st.
The scholarship deadline is April 1, unless otherwise noted. (The cycle has closed for the 2022/2023 year).
SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for Naropa's institutional scholarships, students must meet the following criteria by the scholarship deadline:
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Be admitted into a degree program
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Be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours each semester
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Students must be enrolled fulltime for both fall and spring (exceptions: Transfer Scholarship, Academic Achievement Scholarship, Academic Honor Scholarship, and Academic Excellence Scholarship may be awarded to eligible fulltime students who are starting in the spring semester)
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Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (returning students only)
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Have a complete financial aid application on file (FAFSA or International Financial Aid Application), unless otherwise stated in the scholarship description
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The 2023-2024 FAFSA is considered complete when the application contains complete 2021 tax information
APPLY FOR NAROPA SCHOLARSHIPS
- New students receive their MyNaropa username and password via email after submitting their Admissions Application.
- Naropa Scholarship Application
- Students must be logged into access the application (with MyNaropa credentials).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000/academic year
- Receiving more than one institutional scholarship could affect your eligibility for, or the amounts of other forms of aid, including scholarship awards
Scholarships by Nomination
Students who meet the above listed scholarship requirements are automatically considered for the following awards.
No separate application or materials are required to be considered.
Non-Program Specific Awards
Academic scholarships are awarded to new, entering undergraduate students who will be enrolled full-time. Awards are based on a student's cumulative GPA. No additional materials are required in order to be considered, however, the financial aid application (FAFSA or International Financial Aid Application) is required.
Academic scholarships offered are as follows:
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- Academic Excellence, GPA of 3.5+ awards $10,000 per full academic year per student
- Academic Honors, GPA of 3.0–3.49 awards $7,500 per full academic year per student
- Academic Achievement GPA of 2.75–2.99 awards $5,000 per full academic year per student
The scholarship will renew each academic year, as long as a student:
- Continues to be enrolled full-time
- Remain in good academic standing and make satisfactory progress toward a degree
- Maintains academic eligibility (cumulative 3.0 GPA).
- Completes a new aid application (FAFSA or International Student Aid application) each year
If you received a GED, have a narrative transcript, or a home-school transcript, please contact the Office of Admissions to determine your eligibility.
Find Out If You Are Eligible
Awarded, by nomination, to an outstanding graduate or undergraduate student to provide financial support in honor of Arbie Thalacker’s commitment to contemplative education, to the Naropa learning experience, and to Naropa students.
Awarded, by nomination. to one or more incoming graduate or undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic promise, preferably in the arts.
The Colin Wolcott Endowed Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who bring talent and creative ability into the classroom experience through music.
Awarded annually to an international graduate or undergraduate student who has financial need and who does not qualify for U.S. Federal aid. Students interested in the scholarship must have an International Student Financial Aid Application on file. No other application is required.
The Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Scholarship is awarded, by nomination, to students who are committed to the promotion of diversity and social justice in our society and who demonstrate leadership in the classroom, on campus and in the greater community. Preference is given to those underrepresented students who bring an element of diversity to the University through their race, color, ethnicity, age, disability, veteran status and/or socioeconomic background.
Awarded, by nomination, to one entering first-year student who exhibits strong academic promise and significant financial need.
The Wisdom Traditions Annual Scholarship is awarded, by nomination, to students in Wisdom Traditions who join academic study with personal experience through contemplative practice and analytical investigation. Students engaging in the study of history, contemplative practices, philosophy, ethics, myths and symbols, literature, language, art, music and culture.
Created in memory by the families of Naropa’s Traditional Eastern Arts program founders, Bataan and Jane Faigao, this scholarship is awarded, by nomination, to undergraduate and/or graduate students who are enrolled to take any of the Taijiquan (T’ai Chi Ch’uan) classes at the University.
$5,000 per full academic year
To qualify you must have completed 12 or more semester credits post high school and have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better and have a completed aid application on file.
You may be eligible for a higher value academic scholarship dependent on GPA. The transfer scholarship cannot be combined with other academic scholarships.
The scholarship will renew each academic year, as long as a student:
- Continues to be enrolled in full-time (valid for up to seven semesters of study)
- Remain in good academic standing and make satisfactory progress toward a degree
- Completes a new aid application (FAFSA or International Student Aid application) each year
Awarded to students holding volunteer positions in the Student Union of Naropa (SUN) group, to recognize their exemplary student leadership.
Awarded to an undergraduate student who demonstrate exceptional academic promise; who are actively involved as campus leaders and who exhibit demonstrated to civic engagement, social justice, and educational diversity. Students from underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply.
Environmental Studies
The Frances Harwood Scholarship is awarded to one outstanding Environmental Studies student each year based on departmental recommendation. No separate application is required.
Awarded annually to an undergraduate in Environmental Studies or to a graduate student in Resilient Leadership. No separate application is required.
Music
Awarded to one or two returning undergraduate music students each year by Naropa’s Music Department. The award amount may be divided between recipients, and is nonrenewable. Naropa’s Music Department should be contacted for more information.
Scholarships Requiring Applications
Students who meet the above listed scholarship requirements must submit a separate application and/or written materials to be considered for the following scholarships. Required materials will be detailed in the scholarship description of each award.
Friends of Thomas Coburn (Naropa President Emeritus) and Leigh Berry have made charitable gifts to this fund to support first generation college students with financial need.
One or two students per year are selected to receive all or part of the award. Students who wish to be considered for the scholarship should submit to the Financial Aid Office a brief essay (1–2 pages) describing the student's eligibility for the award. Eligible applicants will be first generation undergraduate students (neither parent attended college), demonstrate financial need (through the FAFSA), be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and have earned a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Awards are not automatically renewable, although students may reapply for subsequent years.
Awarded to one incoming or returning, graduate or undergraduate student who identifies with, or who can demonstrate experience working with, populations of color. The scholarship is available only to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The award is not renewable, although students may reapply for subsequent years. Students of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should submit a 1–2 page essay describing the student's current and past involvement with communities of color. Applications should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office and will be reviewed by a committee. Students applying for this scholarship must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (for undergraduate students) or a 3.5 (for graduate students).
Awarded to one or two returning full-time graduate or undergraduate students per year, who identify with, or who have experience working with underrepresented populations. The scholarship is available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The award is not renewable, although students may reapply for subsequent years. Students from underrepresented populations are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants should submit a 1–2 page essay describing the student's current and past involvement with underrepresented communities. Applications should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office and will be reviewed by a committee. Students applying for this scholarship must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA (for undergraduate students) or a 3.5 (for graduate students).
The Marvin I. Naiman Scholarship will be awarded by the Office of Financial Aid at Naropa University on an annual basis to an undergraduate student of non-traditional age (e.g. 23 and over) with demonstrated financial need. When possible, strong preference will be given to the individual who most exemplifies Marvin's pursuit of self-knowledge, personal and intellectual discovery, and generosity of spirit. Marvin brought with him unflagging curiosity and a bright, even twinkling spirit. It is the intention of this scholarship to continue to invite and retain energy of this nature at Naropa University.
Marvin was very concerned about the difficult burden carried by single parents—particularly single mothers. He also held a passion for living in community. When possible, the university will consider students with these characteristics for the scholarship as well.
Students should submit an essay (one or two pages) addressing the above qualities.
This scholarship was established to honor Gerald Red Elk and is awarded to one undergraduate or graduate student at a time, who identifies with or can demonstrate experience working with a Native American population (preference given to Native American groups within the United States). To qualify, the applicant must write an essay (no more than 3 pages in length) that documents past or current service to, or the impact of being part of, the Native American population, and explains the intended use of the degree in service to the tribe. Materials should be submitted to the Financial Aid Office, and student must meet all other criteria for financial aid. Native American students are strongly encouraged to apply.
Summer Writing Program
Zora Neale Hurston Scholarship
The Zora Neale Hurston scholarship is awarded to selected students who identify as, or who have experience working with, people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The award amount covers full tuition and housing costs for a shared room at Snow Lion Apartments (for out-of-state recipients) for one week of the Summer Writing Program (credit or noncredit). A total of three recipients, with one week scholarships will be awarded. Awards are based on exceptional literary merit and promise, as well as financial need. Students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
kari edwards Scholarship
The Summer Writing Program Scholarship in memory of kari edwards is offered annually to one credit or noncredit student accepted into Naropa University’s Summer Writing Program. Eligible applicants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and be involved in gender activism and writing experimental works..
The Institute of American Indian Arts Scholarship
The Institute of American Indian Arts Award is given annually to one current undergraduate student enrolled at the Institute of American Indian Arts, who will be attending the Summer Writing Program. The award covers full undergraduate tuition for the three weeks of the SWP and includes housing in Snow Lion at the shared room rate.
Amiri Baraka Scholarship
The Amiri Baraka Scholarship is offered to noncredit participants in Naropa's 2018 Summer Writing Program. Each scholarship will cover one week of noncredit Summer Writing Program tuition and, if needed, a room in a shared apartment at Snow Lion Apartments for seven nights. Three or more recipients, with one week scholarships, will be awarded. Students do not need to complete a Financial Aid Application (FAFSA or International Aid Application) to be considered. Your personal essay should include your writing's connection to the work and legacy of Amiri Baraka specifically, and the Black Arts movement in general.
- How does your work continue the Black Arts movement's experiments in combining formal innovation and the dynamics of vernacular speech?
- How does it transcend genre?
- How does it speak for racial equality and revolutionary political commitments?
Students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Margaret Randall Scholarship in Memory of Mark Behr
The Margaret Randall Scholarship in Memory of Mark Behr is offered annually to two noncredit participants in Naropa’s Summer Writing Program. Each scholarship will cover, one week of noncredit Summer Writing Program tuition and, a room, if needed, in a shared apartment in Snow lion residence hall for seven nights. The scholarships will be awarded to writers of extraordinary talent and promise. Students do not need to complete a Financial Aid Application (FAFSA or International Aid Application) to be considered. To apply applicants will need to submit a personal essay, 500 to 700 words in length, addressing their recent accomplishments, current projects, or publications of their work; and 5–10 pages of poetry, prose, or translation.
Students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
Apply for Summer Writing Program Scholarships
- New students receive their MyNaropa username and password via email after submitting their Application to the program.
- Students must log in to their MyNaropa account with their username (Student ID) and password.
- Click HERE to be directed to the SWP Scholarship Application under "Public Registration" on MyNaropa.
All scholarship applications are due by April 1. All applicants will be notified of scholarship decisions no later than June 1.
External Scholarship Opportunities
Outside scholarships are those scholarships offered by organizations and individuals outside of Naropa. There is free money available for educational expenses. The challenge is dedicating one's time and energy to investigating, locating, and applying to receive these funds.
Perseverance, dedication, and creativity are essential to a successful search. Here are some suggestions to help you with your scholarship search:
Note Deadlines
The best time to apply for outside scholarships for an upcoming academic year is typically during September through December. Requesting and compiling necessary information such as transcripts, essays and letters of reference can be time consuming. We recommend beginning the application process well before application deadlines.
Beware of Fees
Do not use any "scholarship search service" that requires a fee. Too often, these often turn out to be scams, have unrealistic requirements for the student, and/or produce dissatisfying results.
Cultivate Networks
Don't underestimate the valuable scholarship resource pool available from home, school and work networks. For example, a large percentage of private scholarships come from parents' employers. Friends, extended family members, administrators, professors, fellow student recipients, mentors and religious associates may also know of outside scholarship opportunities.
Search for Outside Scholarships
For Colorado women, we present this opportunity for a scholarship from Colorado Women's Education Foundation: https://cwef.org/scholarships/how-to-apply/
Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need, academic ability, leadership skills, career goals, and community involvement. To be eligible you must be:
- A woman at least 25 years of age at the time of application
- A U.S. citizen
- A resident of Colorado for at least 12 months prior to the application deadline of May 31
Enrolled in or attending an accredited educational institution of higher learning or vocational training (Applicants can be earning a certification, associates, bachelor's, master's, or PhD degree).
The National Association of Financial Aid Administrators recommends these sources of private scholarship aid for undocumented students:
- Fast Web: www.fastweb.com
- Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund: www.maldef.org
- Latino College Dollars: www.latinocollegedollars.org
- Scholarships for Hispanics: www.scholarshipsforhispanics.org
- Genesco Migrant Center: www.migrant.net
- Mexican Scholarship Fund: http://mexicanscholarshipfund.org/
- SADCO Scholarship Program: https://www.cappex.com/scholarships/sociedad-amigos-de-colombia-sadco-scholarship-program