GROSSMAN SCHOLARSHIP

GROSSMAN SCHOLARSHIP

REWARDING OUTDOOR STEWARDSHIP

The Grossman Scholarship Program helps make educational dreams possible for those who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources.* 


We are committed to programmatic offerings that celebrate diversity and embody inclusivity. We encourage and desire applicants from all backgrounds, ethnicities and walks of life to apply and help grow a more inclusive outdoor stewardship community that engages all people.


Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now closed, and we are currently reviewing all applications.

If you are selected to move forward in this year's review process, you will be contacted by email by Friday, March 15th. All applicants will be contacted with the Review Committee’s final decisions by April 5th, 2024.

Annual Scholarships

Grossman Scholarships are awarded to Colorado residents who have demonstrated a commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources and intend to pursue post-secondary education through an accredited environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry related education program in Colorado.


Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado (VOC) will award a total of $55,000 of scholarships** in 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year, thanks to the generosity of former VOC Board Member Rick Grossman and his wife, Susie Grossman and to funds from Great Outdoors Colorado through the My Outdoor Colorado (MOC) Coalition.

SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED

FOR THOSE GRADUATING HIGH SCHOOL

WHAT: One $10,000 scholarship and one $5,000 scholarship will be awarded.

WHO: Graduating high school seniors pursuing post-secondary education.

FOR THOSE PURSUING UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES AFTER A POSTPONEMENT OR AS A CONTINUATION

WHAT: One $10,000 scholarship and one $5,000 scholarship will be awarded.

WHO: Anyone who is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree or who will be continuing their pursuit of an undergraduate degree after postponement of studies.

Postponement of studies includes but is not limited to individuals who postponed or were unable to complete their post-secondary education degree fully due to financial or familial circumstances, individuals taking a gap year between their final year of high school and first year of undergraduate studies, and those seeking a new career path requiring post-secondary education.

FOR THOSE PURSUING A GRADUATE DEGREE

WHAT: One $10,000 scholarship and one $5,000 scholarship will be awarded.

WHO: Anyone pursuing a graduate degree.

FOR THOSE CONNECTED TO THE COLE OR WESTWOOD NEIGHBORHOODS OR ARE INVOLVED WITH THE MY OUTDOOR COLORADO COALITION

WHAT: One $10,000 scholarship will be awarded.

WHO: Anyone who has or currently lives, works, or attends school in, or is otherwise connected to the Cole and/or Westwood neighborhoods of Denver, OR anyone who has been or is currently involved with any of the MOC Coalition partner organizations (see full list of participating MOC organizations here).

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

An eligible candidate:

 

  • Is a Colorado resident;
  • Has demonstrated a commitment to caring* for our environment's natural resources within their personal, educational, and/or professional time. Ideally, students can show that they have volunteered with outdoor stewardship/environment organizations, such as VOC or other Colorado stewardship organizations or land agencies;
  • Is pursuing a degree program with an environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry emphasis at an accredited 4-year college/university, 2-year community college, or a certificate program offered by an accredited*** college/university within the state of Colorado; and
  • Is enrolled (or will be enrolled) in upcoming programs; the candidate cannot be in the last semester of a program as we do not provide funds retroactively.

Applications for the 2024-2025 school year are closed and will reopen in December 2024.

Questions? Please email scholarships@voc.org


*A demonstrated commitment to caring for our environment's natural resources may be shown in many ways. As a volunteer organization, we appreciate students committing time to volunteering, with VOC or other outdoor organizations and land agencies. Volunteering may include but is not limited to: trail construction and maintenance, invasive species management, habitat restoration, gardening and planting, forestry management, flood and fire restoration, recreational improvement, historic preservation, citizen science or river/trash clean-ups. Volunteer efforts may occur within an environmental/outdoor organization (e.g. VOC, Wildland Restoration Volunteers, Environmental Learning for Kids, Groundwork Denver, Latino Outdoors) or with a Land Agency (e.g. United States Forest Service, National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management, State Parks, or with local city park agencies).


Applicants who are currently in employment positions within a natural resources field can reference professional experience to demonstrate long-term commitment to environmental stewardship work.

Applicants may also reference personal experiences and school programs that demonstrate their continuous commitment to environmental, natural resource, climate, or outdoor industry work. 


**Scholarship funds will be sent directly to the awardee’s academic institution for tuition and fee costs. If the award is greater than that amount, the remaining balance may be held for the next semester or distributed directly to the student for other school-related uses such as room and board or textbooks if this is their final term.

***Applicants can visit this link to check that their program is at an eligible, accredited institution:https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/home.

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