By Peter Droege
Special to The SUN
Motivated, college-bound high school seniors are encouraged to visit the Daniels Fund website — DanielsFund.org — to apply online for the Daniels Scholarship Program. The application deadline is Nov. 15, 2013.
“In establishing the Daniels Scholarship Program, cable television pioneer Bill Daniels wanted to seek out outstanding young people who possess tremendous strength of character, the passion to succeed, a willingness to work hard, and a commitment to giving back to the community,” explained Linda Childears, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund.
Each year, approximately 250 new Daniels Scholars are selected from among thousands who apply. They go through a rigorous application, interview, and selection process. The reward of being selected for the program is the opportunity to obtain a four-year college education at any nonprofit accredited college or university in the United States, complete with financial and personal support throughout the college journey.
To be eligible to apply for the Daniels Scholarship Program, students must be current high school seniors graduating during the 2013-2014 academic year from a high school in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming. They must be a current resident of one of those four states and at the time of application be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. They must also demonstrate financial need and meet other requirements of the scholarship.
Daniels Scholarships are not full-ride. Instead, they are “last dollar” and are intended to cover the unmet need of the student. The scholarship amount is determined after all other financial aid resources and an Expected Family Contribution have been applied. Daniels Scholarships pay toward a student’s required college expenses, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and miscellaneous educational expenses.
The Daniels Fund awards approximately $14 million annually through the Daniels Scholarship Program. More than $107 million in scholarships has been awarded since the program was launched in 2000. The funding received by each Daniels Scholar varies with the cost of the college or university they attend.
Bill Daniels, a pioneer in cable television known for his kindness and generosity to those in need, established the Daniels Fund to provide grants and scholarships in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. Upon his death in 2000, his estate transferred to the Daniels Fund, making it one of the largest foundations in the Rocky Mountain region.
For more information, visit www.DanielsFund.org
