University of Colorado Colorado Springs Scholarships (2025–2026)
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- Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
- Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
- Flagship (competitive) and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
- Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way
📊 Admissions Snapshot
- Acceptance Rate: ~97%
- Middle 50% SAT: 1030–1230
- Middle 50% ACT: 21–28
- Average HS GPA: ~3.46
Source: UCCS Admissions, Niche, and BigFuture (latest verified data). Middle 50% = range where half of admitted students fall.
Comparing multiple schools? Try the Scholarship Tool to search by GPA, test scores, and state →
UCCS at a Glance
Peak Award: $25,000 over 4 years (non-WUE students)
Need-Based & General Scholarships: Mar. 1
General Application Opens: Dec. 1
Last verified: October 2025
At UCCS, high-achieving students may qualify for renewable awards like the Chancellor’s Award for Colorado and WUE residents or the Peak Award for nonresidents. These scholarships can significantly lower costs over four years, especially when paired with departmental or donor-funded awards.
Use this guide to see exactly what’s possible and how to plan your scholarship strategy. If you’re comparing Colorado publics or looking to combine state grants with institutional aid, start here to see how UCCS stacks up.
FAQ
Is this college test-optional? Yes — UCCS does not require SAT or ACT scores for admission. Scores may still be used for scholarship consideration.
What is the middle 50% SAT/ACT? SAT: 1030–1230; ACT: 21–28.
What’s the average HS GPA? Around 3.46 among admitted students.
Does this school use reciprocity or nonresident awards? Yes — the Chancellor’s Award covers Colorado/WUE students, and the Peak Award assists nonresidents with renewable multi-year funding.
First-Year Admissions (test-optional): https://www.uccs.edu/admissions-aid/application-details/first-year
Scholarships page (Chancellor’s & Peak Awards): https://www.uccs.edu/admissions-aid/scholarships
Chancellor’s Award details (amount/timeline): https://www.uccs.edu/admissionsenrollment/chancellorsaward
Admitted student scholarship deadlines: https://www.uccs.edu/admissions-aid/next-steps
College Scorecard (Average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?126580-University-of-Colorado-Colorado-Springs=
BigFuture (acceptance rate, SAT/ACT ranges): https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/colleges/university-of-colorado-colorado-springs/admissions
Niche (context on GPA): https://www.niche.com/colleges/university-of-colorado-colorado-springs/admissions/
💰 Cost of Attendance at UCCS
| Category | In-State (2025–2026) | Out-of-State (2025–2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition & Mandatory Fees (full-time) | $13,774 | $36,113 |
| Housing & Food (on-campus) | $17,508 | $17,508 |
| Total (before aid) | $31,282 | $53,621 |
*Other expenses (not shown in the table) include books & supplies, transportation, personal/miscellaneous costs, and average loan fees. UCCS lists these as part of the student budget, but they aren’t paid directly to the university and vary by student—so they’re excluded from the table.
UCCS participates in WUE for eligible students from partnering western states. For 2025–2026, UCCS lists a WUE total estimated cost of $47,720 with WUE tuition & fees of $24,614 (vs. non-WUE total $59,099 and tuition & fees $36,113). See our overview: Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE).
Who qualifies for WUE?
Residents of participating western states and territories; some majors may have exceptions. Check the UCCS admissions page for eligibility details.
How much can WUE save?
UCCS’ 2025–2026 estimates show a lower total cost under WUE compared to the standard nonresident price. Exact savings depend on housing/meal plan and other expenses.
Is WUE automatic?
Generally applied based on residency once admitted. Always verify any program/major restrictions.
University COA page (2025–26 Undergraduate Budgets): https://www.uccs.edu/bursar/cost-of-attendance
Housing & Dining (Rates): https://www.uccs.edu/living-on-campus/rates-and-dining
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): https://www.uccs.edu/admissions-aid/scholarships/wue
College Scorecard (Average net price): https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?126580-University-of-Colorado-Colorado-Springs=
✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Award | $2,500/yr (up to $10,000 over 4 years) | CO residents & WUE students; 3.5+ weighted HS GPA (no test required); auto for transfers with 3.0+ GPA and 24+ credits | No | Yes — 3.0 UCCS GPA, 30 credits/yr | First-time frosh and transfers from CO/WUE with high GPA (official cutoff may change year to year) | Feb 1 (priority); June 1 (final) |
| Peak Award | $6,250/yr (up to $25,000 over 4 years) | Non-WUE out-of-state students; 3.5+ weighted HS GPA (no test required); auto for transfers with 3.0+ GPA and 24+ credits | No | Yes — 3.0 UCCS GPA, 30 credits/yr | First-time nonresident frosh and transfers with high GPA (CO/WUE exempt, intent to graduate at UCCS) | Feb 1 (priority); June 1 (final) |
*Estimated GPA/test score ranges based on latest award patterns. Auto-merit cutoff may shift year to year depending on applicant pool and funding. Final deadline for all new students is June 1, but priority for maximum consideration is Feb 1.
Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No. Both the Chancellor’s and Peak Awards are automatic upon admission—no extra application needed if you qualify.
Does UCCS superscore?
Yes. Your best ACT/SAT subscores are used if you submit them, but GPA alone suffices for most awards.
Can these stack with WUE?
No. Chancellor’s is CO/WUE only, Peak is non-WUE/nonresident only. You can’t stack both or combine with WUE rates.
What about test-optional?
Merit awards are available for test-optional students. GPA and curriculum rigor are the primary factors.
Chancellor’s Award – https://www.uccs.edu/admissions/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships/chancellors-award
Peak Award – https://www.uccs.edu/admissions/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships/peak-award
UCCS Scholarships Office – https://uccs.academicworks.com/
UCCS Scholarship Deadlines – https://finaid.uccs.edu/scholarships/faq
🏆 Competitive Scholarships (University-Level)
Selective awards with extra steps (application, essays/interview). Campus-level only — no Honors-only or departmental funds listed here.
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chancellor’s Leadership Class (CLC) | ~$4,000/yr | Incoming first-year; leadership, service, strong academics; selective cohort with essay & interview | Yes — UCCS Scholarship portal | Yes — GPA & participation | Leaders with strong roles, service, and GPA ~3.5+ | Feb 1 |
| Kane Family Foundation Scholarship | Full tuition & fees + required books | Primarily Colorado residents; very high academics, community involvement, leadership; foundation selection, interview possible | Yes — UCCS Scholarship portal | Yes — per award terms | Very top academic/leadership profiles; GPA ~3.7+ | Feb 1 |
| Reisher Scholars Program | ~$4,000–$22,000/yr (need-based) | Colorado residents; 3.0+ GPA; Pell/unmet-need; rising sophomores or CC transfers; full-time | Yes — UCCS Scholarship portal | Yes — GPA, progress, participation | Students with financial need, strong grades, and clear degree-completion plan | Mar 1 (continuing), May 15 (transfer) |
*GPA/testing bands are estimates based on typical profiles and may vary each cycle. For all programs, apply via the UCCS Scholarship portal (opens Dec 1); most selective awards use Feb 1 deadlines, with need-based/transfer funds accepting applications through Mar 1 or May 15.
Competitive Scholarship FAQ
Who should apply? High-achieving students with clear records of leadership, service, and—where needed—financial need. Early applicants have a major advantage for all awards.
Are interviews required? Yes, for some (CLC, Kane, Reisher). Finalists will be contacted after initial screening.
Can I stack these with merit or WUE? In most cases, yes, up to tuition/need/unmet cost limits. Full-tuition awards (such as Kane) may restrict stacking with other tuition-based awards.
What if I miss the deadline? Most competitive programs have strict deadlines—late or incomplete applications will not be considered for the current cycle.
Chancellor’s Leadership Class – https://studentlife.uccs.edu/clc/
Kane Family Foundation – https://kanefamilyfoundation.com/
Reisher Scholars Program – https://www.denverfoundation.org/Scholarships/Reisher-Scholars-Program
UCCS Scholarships Office – https://uccs.academicworks.com/
UCCS Scholarship Deadlines – https://finaid.uccs.edu/scholarships/faq
🎖️ Honors College
The UCCS Honors Program is small, selective, and designed for students who want more than just strong grades — it’s for those ready to dive into small seminars, take on big questions, and connect closely with faculty mentors. Admission is by application and interview, with about 25–30 students admitted each fall.
High school GPA around 3.6+, advanced coursework (AP/IB or dual enrollment), strong writing skills, and a record of leadership or service. A successful interview is also part of the process.
- Priority course registration
- Small honors-only seminars and interdisciplinary courses
- Dedicated Honors Lounge and enhanced library privileges
- Transcript and graduation recognition
- Capstone opportunities for research and creative projects
| Scholarship | Award Amount | Eligibility | Separate App? | Renewable? | Who Actually Wins? | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UCCS Honors Program Scholarship | $1,000/yr for freshmen; increases in sophomore–senior years; extra funding possible for accelerated master’s | Incoming freshmen admitted to Honors; min. 3.5 GPA; essay and interview required | Yes — Scholarship Portal application | Yes — up to 4 years with 3.5 GPA & participation | Students with strong GPAs, great essays, and active in leadership/service | Feb 1 |
Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply via the UCCS Scholarship portal and interview.
Does Honors add time to degree?
No. Honors classes count toward core/electives, so most students graduate on time.
When should I apply?
Application opens Dec 1; priority deadline is Feb 1.
Does Honors come with extra scholarships?
Program scholarships are available, but amounts may vary; all applicants must complete the portal application.
UCCS Honors Program Scholarship – https://uccs.academicworks.com/opportunities/13439
Honors Program Application – https://honors.uccs.edu/hp-app
UCCS Scholarships Office – https://uccs.academicworks.com/
Scholarship Deadlines – https://finaid.uccs.edu/scholarships/
⭐ College Specialty
UCCS has carved out a reputation in areas that matter to Colorado Springs and beyond — cybersecurity, space, health sciences, and sport management. Families looking for degrees that plug directly into strong local industries will find UCCS programs tied closely to career pipelines. While it’s not an R1 research university, UCCS has built nationally recognized centers and partnerships that help its students stand out.
- Space Operations Engineering — Graduate-level space operations program feeding into Colorado’s fast-growing space industry (ties to U.S. Space Command and local contractors).
- Beth-El College of Nursing — Consistently high NCLEX pass rates; among Colorado’s top-performing nursing programs with strong hospital partnerships.
- Sport Management (AACSB-accredited) — Leverages Colorado Springs’ role as “Olympic City USA,” giving students internships with the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and national sports organizations.