University of Colorado Colorado Springs Scholarships (2025–2026)

What This Page Covers:

Tuition, housing, and what families actually pay on average
Automatic merit ranges and who typically qualifies
Competitive and hidden-gem scholarships worth a look
Honors perks and how to stack awards the smart way

Paying for college in Colorado can feel overwhelming, but UCCS gives families some clear paths to lower the price. From automatic merit awards to WUE discounts for out-of-state neighbors, there are multiple ways to bring tuition within reach. If you’re comparing schools across the region, don’t miss our Colorado state aid guide alongside this page.

💰 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
Other Estimated Expenses*	$4,440	$5,478
Total (before aid)	$35,722	$59,099

*Other Estimated Expenses include books & supplies, personal expenses, transportation, and average loan fees as defined by UCCS.

Average net price: $14,689 per year (latest federal data). That’s what families actually paid after grants and scholarships — loans not included.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
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.

✅ Automatic Merit Scholarships

Scholarship	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Chancellor’s Award	$2,500/yr (up to $10,000 over 4 years)	Colorado residents and WUE-state residents; awarded automatically to high-achieving first-time freshmen and eligible transfers	No	Yes — maintain good academic standing	Typically students with a ~3.6+ GPA and solid rigor; ACT 26+ / SAT 1240+ if scores submitted*
Peak Award	$6,250/yr (up to $25,000 over 4 years)	Non-WUE out-of-state students; awarded automatically to high-achieving first-time freshmen and eligible transfers	No	Yes — maintain good academic standing	Similar academic profile as above; tends to go to non-WUE admits with ~3.6+ GPA and strong coursework*

*Estimated GPA/test score ranges based on past award patterns. Actual cutoffs may shift year to year depending on the applicant pool and funding.

Do I need to apply separately for these scholarships?
No. Both the Chancellor’s and Peak Awards are automatic when you apply and are admitted. There’s no extra application.

Does UCCS superscore the ACT or SAT?
Yes. UCCS will consider your best subscores across test dates, which can help students just below a cutoff qualify for a higher award.

Can I stack these with WUE?
No. The Chancellor’s Award is for Colorado and WUE-state students, while the Peak Award is for non-WUE students. They are not stackable with WUE tuition rates.

What about test-optional applicants?
UCCS does consider students for merit scholarships without test scores. Strong GPA and course rigor become the main factors.

🏆 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	What Makes It Competitive	Eligibility (key points)	Separate App & Deadline	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?	Stacking Notes
Chancellor’s Leadership Class (CLC)	~$4,000/yr (published program amount)	Selective cohort; application + interview; leadership program commitments	Incoming first-year; leadership, service, strong academics	Yes — via CLC/UCCS Scholarship portal; typical cycle opens Dec 1; many merit deadlines around Feb 1	Yes — maintain GPA & active program participation (per award terms)	Leaders with substantial roles and service; GPA ~3.5+ and strong rigor	Generally can sit alongside institutional aid; check final award letter for conflicts with full-tuition programs
Kane Family Foundation Scholarship	Covers tuition & fees and required books (multi-year, limited slots)	Highly limited; foundation-funded; separate review/selection	Primarily Colorado residents; high academics; other criteria per fund; finalists may interview	Yes — via UCCS Scholarship portal during annual cycle (portal opens ~Dec 1; many merit deadlines around Feb 1)	Yes — maintain terms/standing each year	Top academics, community impact, strong recs; GPA often ~3.7+	May limit stacking with other tuition-covering awards; see award agreement
Reisher Scholars Program (via The Denver Foundation)	~$4,000–$22,000/yr (amount set by unmet need; competitive)	Application + essays; committee review; finalist interviews	Colorado residents; 3.0+ GPA; Pell-eligible or unmet need <= criteria; rising sophomores or community-college transfers; full-time	Yes — UCCS Scholarship portal; typical deadline Mar 1 (transfer track often later)	Yes — meet GPA, progress, and program participation rules	Students with need + strong grades, work/service, and clear completion plan	Stacks with aid up to unmet-need limits; award amounts adjust with other aid

*GPA/testing bands marked with an asterisk are estimates based on typical recipient profiles and may vary year to year.

Where do I apply?
Most competitive scholarships are in the UCCS Scholarship (AcademicWorks) portal. Apply after you’re admitted; the portal typically opens Dec 1 with common deadlines around Feb 1 (merit) and Mar 1 (many need-based).

Are interviews required?
Yes, for some (e.g., CLC and Reisher finalists). Watch your email for scheduling after the deadline windows.

Can these stack with automatic merit or WUE?
Often yes, up to tuition/need limits. Full-tuition style awards (e.g., Kane) may restrict stacking; follow your award agreement.

Any priority dates that matter?
Submit the UCCS scholarship app early (Dec–Jan). Many selective funds list Feb 1 or Mar 1 priority dates; transfers for Reisher may see later dates in May.

Official references used: UCCS Scholarships overview and portal timelines; CLC program page; UCCS news on Kane funding; Reisher opportunities in UCCS portal (amounts, deadlines).

💎 Hidden Gem Scholarships

These are niche programs many families overlook — from ROTC pathways to undergraduate research and study abroad support. They aren’t automatic merit or big-name competitive awards, but they can meaningfully cut costs or open doors to extra opportunities.

Scholarship / Program	Award Amount	Eligibility	Separate App?	Renewable?	Who Actually Wins?
Army ROTC Scholarships	Full tuition & fees, $1,200/yr books, $420 monthly stipend	Students contracting with Army ROTC; must meet GPA, fitness, and service commitments	Yes — apply via national ROTC board or campus-based route	Yes — multi-year if GPA, credits, and fitness are maintained	Students pursuing Army officer track with strong academics and leadership/fitness
Air Force ROTC (CU Boulder Detachment 105)	Covers tuition & fees (varies), books, monthly stipend	UCCS students can cross-enroll; must meet Air/Space Force academic and fitness standards	Yes — AFROTC national application required	Yes — multi-year with GPA and fitness standards	STEM or leadership-focused students committed to commissioning; travel to Boulder required
Undergraduate Research Academy (URA)	Up to $4,000 summer research stipend	Undergrads with a faculty mentor and defined project	Yes — URA application required	No — single-term award	Students with strong faculty support and a solid project plan
Research Travel Grants	Up to $400 per year for conference travel	Students presenting at academic or professional conferences with faculty backing	Yes — Undergraduate Research office application	No — one-time travel stipend	Students accepted to present at regional or national conferences
Education Abroad Scholarships	$500–$5,000 depending on program and donor	Students in UCCS-approved study abroad programs; some awards target first-gen or Pell-eligible students	Yes — UCCS Scholarship portal and external applications	No — typically one-time awards	Students with clear essays, financial need, and strong fit with chosen program
LIVE Leadership Scholarship	$1,000–$2,000 per year	Incoming first-year students demonstrating integrity, values, and engagement; FAFSA required	Yes — Scholarship portal application	Yes — maintain GPA and participation	Students with a leadership resume plus strong recommendations and campus involvement goals
Strub-Heer First2Go Scholarship	$1,000–$3,000 per year	First-generation students in the First2Go program; FAFSA required; minimum GPA (usually ~2.5+)	Yes — Scholarship portal application	Yes — as long as GPA and program participation are maintained	First-gen students active in First2Go with demonstrated financial need
Kennedy First Generation Scholarship	$1,000–$2,500 per year	First-generation undergrads, preference for rural backgrounds; FAFSA required	Yes — Scholarship portal application	Yes — maintain GPA and credit load	First-gen students with financial need and rural community ties
Roberto Saldana Empowerment Scholarship	$1,000–$2,000	Students demonstrating leadership, service, and commitment to positive community impact	Yes — Scholarship portal application	No — typically a one-year award	Leadership-driven students with a service record and strong recommendations

Disclaimer: Award amounts and GPA figures are based on published ranges or recent patterns. They may shift each year depending on funding and applicant pool.

Music scholarships (audition-based; majors/minors and select ensemble participants)
Officer Garrett Swasey Memorial Scholarship (Music or Criminal Justice majors)
Tidal Breeze Jazz Arts Endowed Scholarship (Bachelor of Innovation in Music)
Departmental scholarships across Engineering, English, Business, and other colleges — found in the UCCS Scholarship Portal

Are these awards automatic?
No. Each requires a separate application (and in ROTC’s case, additional contracts and commitments).

Can they stack with other scholarships?
Yes, most of these can stack with automatic merit or state aid. ROTC may replace tuition but often still allows stacking with housing or need-based grants.

Are they renewable?
ROTC covers multiple years if requirements are met. Research and study abroad awards are typically one-time or per-project.

When should students apply?
ROTC deadlines follow national boards; research awards are usually posted in early spring for summer funding; study abroad deadlines are term-specific (often Feb–Apr).

⭐ 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.

Cybersecurity & Space Security: UCCS is home to the National Cybersecurity Center and the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC). Students get hands-on training and direct access to employers in defense and intelligence — making this one of the most distinctive programs in the region.

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.

🎖️ 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.

What a Typical UCCS Honors Student Looks Like:
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.

Perks that Matter:

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?
UCCS Honors Program Scholarship	$1,000/yr for freshmen; increases in sophomore–senior years; additional funds possible for accelerated master’s participants	Incoming freshmen admitted to the Honors Program; minimum 3.5 GPA; required essay and interview	Yes — apply through UCCS Scholarship Portal by Feb 1	Yes — up to 4 years if student maintains 3.5 GPA and participates in required Honors events each semester	Students with strong academics, thoughtful essays, and demonstrated engagement; typically ~3.6+ GPA and active in leadership/service

Is admission automatic?
No. Students must apply through the UCCS Scholarship portal and participate in an interview.

Does Honors add extra time to my degree?
No. Honors courses are designed to count toward general education or electives, so students graduate on time.

When should I apply?
The application opens around Dec 1, with most deadlines and interviews held in early spring.

Does Honors come with extra scholarships?
Yes, there are program-based scholarships, but award amounts vary by year and funding. Students should apply through the portal for consideration.

📎 Official Links

Final Thoughts

UCCS blends the feel of a regional campus with programs that connect directly to Colorado Springs’ biggest industries — from cybersecurity and space to health sciences and sport management. Families can take advantage of automatic awards, hidden gems like ROTC and First-Gen scholarships, and the Honors Program for motivated students who want more. With WUE and competitive aid layered in, UCCS can be a surprisingly affordable choice for both Colorado residents and out-of-state students.

✅ Last updated: September 10, 2025