Boulder Valley School District Scholarships

Generous families and organizations in our community are committed to supporting local students through scholarships. The scholarships below assist Boulder Valley School District students as they pursue post-secondary education.

Impact on Education manages these scholarships, working with high school counselors and community partners to solicit applications.

2026 SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications will be accepted January 23 through March 23.

Dennie & Donna Wise Scholarship  $1,000

For BVSD graduates planning to pursue vocational, technical, or community college education.

Dennie Wise, a former Impact on Education board member, established a scholarship fund in his wife Donna’s name upon her death. He wanted to help BVSD graduating students access community college and trade school, by offering a scholarship to students who choose to pursue post-secondary education at a vocational, technical, or community college. When Dennie passed away, his children contributed to the scholarship fund and requested the scholarship name be updated to honor both parents.

Award:

• $1,000 scholarship, renewable for up to two years ($2,000)
• Payable to the school of attendance

Eligibility:

• Current BVSD student
• Must pursue a vocational, technical or community college education (full or part-time)

Earl & Barbara Bolton Scholarship  $5,000

For BVSD graduates planning to pursue engineering, forestry, nursing or medicine at a Colorado university or college.

Award:

• $5,000 scholarship, renewable for up to four years ($20,000)
• Payable to the student awardee, pending verification of attendance and enrollment

Eligibility:

• Current BVSD student
• Demonstrate high academic achievement
• Demonstrate financial need
• Acceptance letter to a public or private college, community college, university, or trade/vocational school in the State of Colorado full-time
• Plans to pursue careers in engineering, forestry, nursing or the sciences

Gould-Foothill Scholarship  $2,500

For students who are graduating from Boulder High School planning to pursue a degree in education.

The Gould-Foothill scholarship was established in 2000. James B. Gould and Bernice W. Gould left this scholarship endowment to aid Boulder High School students seeking to become educators.

Award:

• $2,500 scholarship to two students per year, non-renewable.
• Payable to the school of attendance.

Eligibility:

• Current BVSD student at Boulder High School
• Must demonstrate financial need for a scholarship
• Must pursue the education necessary to become an educator

For a BVSD graduate who might not otherwise be able to attend college without the financial support of a scholarship.

The Houston Scholarship was established in 2023 by supporters of Impact on Education. This scholarship honors a family member whose dedication to taking care of their family financially, meant they were unable to pursue their dream of formal education. The family believes higher education can be the key to unlocking opportunity, and hopes the scholarship will allow selected students to overcome financial barriers to their educational goals.

Award:

• $10,000 scholarship, renewable for up to four years (or five non-consecutive) ($40,000)
• Payable to the student awardee, pending verification of attendance and enrollment

Eligibility:

• Current BVSD student
• Must demonstrate academic achievement as evidenced by admission to a post-secondary Colorado college or university by May 1st of the year they apply to college
• Must demonstrate a high school GPA of 3.0-3.5ish by submitting a high school transcript
• Must plan to be a full-time student at a Colorado public or private four-year college or university
• Must demonstrate moderate financial need

Award Renewal:

• Prior to each semester, an official or unofficial transcript from a college or university must be submitted to verify enrollment in at least 12 credit hours and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
• At the end of the academic year, recipients will provide to IOE a brief update about the school year.

Jeff Howenstein Panther Scholarship  $1,000

For a BVSD and Boulder High School graduate who participated in the AVID program and can demonstrate financial need for college.

Jeff Howenstein was an energetic dedicated Boulder High School teacher who had a deep belief in the power of the AVID program. Jeff, or “Howie” taught many AVID students during his time at Boulder High. He always encouraged and challenged his AVID students to grow to reach their academic and social potential.

Award:

• $1,000 scholarship, renewable for up to four consecutive or non-consecutive years ($4,000)
• Payable to the school of attendance.

Eligibility:

• Current BVSD student
• Participant in the Boulder High School AVID program
• Acceptance letter to college or university
• Demonstrated financial need
• 2.5 GPA

New Vista High School Scholarship  $5,000

For a New Vista High School graduate who demonstrates financial need and embodies the school’s values of equity, community partnership, and non‑traditional learning while pursuing post‑secondary education.

Award:

• $5,000 scholarship per year, renewable for up to four consecutive or non‑consecutive years ($20,000 total per student)
• Payable to the school of attendance
• May be used at an undergraduate university, community college, or technical/trades school

Eligibility:

• Current Senior at New Vista High School (minimum three years of attendance)
• Demonstrated financial need
• Acceptance to an undergraduate university, community college, or technical/trades school
• Represents New Vista High School’s mission, vision, and values