Bill Daniels was a cable television pioneer known for his compassion for those in need and his unwavering commitment to ethics and integrity. Bill loved America dearly. He fought in two wars to defend our country and the freedoms we enjoy today. Bill Daniels was also passionate about the free enterprise system, which he believed provided the best opportunity to help people improve their lives.
Daniels Scholars are selected because they embody the criteria Bill Daniels defined for the program:
- Strength of character
- Leadership potential
- Commitment to serving their communities
- Academic performance or promise
- Well-rounded personality
- Emotional maturity and stability
Bill Daniels would also want his scholars to uphold the values that meant so much to him. Those values include ethics and integrity, honesty, respect for people, loyalty and reliability, entrepreneurial spirit, patriotism and dedication to community, commitment to excellence, and etiquette.
There are a number of specific requirements to be eligible for the Daniels Scholarship Program. Please read the Eligibility section below for full details.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Daniels Scholarship Program?
To be eligible for the Daniels Scholarship Program, students must meet the following requirements at the time of application:
- Be a graduating high school senior
- Be a resident of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
- Earn a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.0 in high school (on an unweighted 4.0 scale)
- Earn a minimum SAT Math score of 490 and a minimum Evidence-Based Reading & Writing score of 490, or a minimum ACT score of 18 in each category (writing score not required).
- Meet financial eligibility requirements as described below.
Financial Eligibility Details
In order to be eligible for the Daniels Scholarship Program, applicants must demonstrate financial need through Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) of $100,000 or less on the 2022 federal tax return on which the applicant is claimed as a dependent and review of other assets. If there are additional dependents, beyond the applicant, claimed on the 2022 tax return, we allow for $10,000 of additional income for each additional dependent.
On the 2022 Form 1040, the AGI is listed on Line 11, and dependents claimed can be found in the Dependents section, as indicated in the sample form below:
Here are some examples to demonstrate how financial eligibility is determined:
- Carlos is applying for the Daniels Scholarship. He has one sister in college who was also claimed as a dependent on his parents' tax return. Carlos' parents' 2022 AGI must have been $110,000 or less ($100,000 for Carlos and his parents + $10,000 for his sister) for him to be eligible for the Daniels Scholarship Program.
- Mary is applying for the Daniels Scholarship. Her parents are divorced and she has one brother who is five years old. Both Mary and her brother are claimed as dependents on her mother's tax return. Mary's mother must have had an AGI of $110,000 or less ($100,000 for Mary and her mother + $10,000 for her brother) for her to be eligible for the Daniels Scholarship Program.
- Angela is applying for the Daniels Scholarship. She doesn't have any siblings, but both of her grandparents are listed as dependents on her parents' tax return. Angela's parents' AGI must have been $120,000 or less ($100,000 for Angela and her parents + $10,000 for her grandmother + $10,000 for her grandfather) for her to be eligible for the Daniels Scholarship Program.
During the process, applicants will be required to submit documents verifying eligibility including their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 2022 federal tax return, a high school transcript, ACT/SAT scores, citizenship and residency documentation, proof of college enrollment for additional claimed dependent(s) and Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR is generated by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We recommend that all students complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens (estimated December, 2023).
As a Daniels Scholar, your full cost of attendance (COA) is covered at partner schools within Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.* A full list of partner schools is available here. If you attend a school outside our 4-state region, you can receive up to $25,000 a year for qualified educational expenses.
Funds can be used towards:
- Tuition and fees
- Room and board
- Books and supplies
- Miscellaneous educational expenses
You will also receive a laptop computer and receive support before, during, and after college.
*$7,500 annually for schools within four-state region outside of partnership agreement. Partnership schools to be announced in August.
Daniels Scholars may attend any two-year or four-year, nonprofit, accredited college or university in the United States. Scholars must intend to complete a bachelor's degree, and those starting at a two-year college must be on a path to earning a bachelor's degree. Daniels Scholarships may not be used at technical or trade schools, or for participation in certificate programs.
If you attend a partner school within our four-state region (Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming), the Daniels Scholarship and your university work together to cover your full cost of attendance!* You can also choose to attend an eligible school outside our four-state region and receive $25,000 per year. Additionally, as a Daniels Scholar, you’ll receive:/p>
- A new laptop computer
- Support from our dedicated team
- Leadership development opportunities
- Community involvement opportunities
- Career advancement opportunities
*$7,500 annually for schools within 4-state region outside of partnership agreement. Partnership schools to be announced in August.
- Fulfill all scholarship requirements and submit required documents to renew the scholarship at the end of each academic term
- Remain on track to graduate with a bachelor's degree within four academic years
- Maintain academic performance, including a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA
- Maintain regular communication with the Daniels Fund
- Adhere to the Daniels Scholar Code of Conduct
- Attend and participate in the Daniels Fund's new scholar orientation conference held in June
Applications must be submitted online through the application website between September 15 and October 15, 2023.
Applicants invited to participate in the Semi-Finalist phase will be asked to submit essay question responses and letters of recommendation between October 20 and November 15, 2023.
During the process, applicants will be required to submit documents verifying eligibility including their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 2022 federal tax return, a high school transcript, ACT/SAT scores, citizenship and residency documentation, proof of college enrollment for additional claimed dependent(s) and Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR is generated by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). We recommend that all students complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens (estimated December, 2023).
All Semi-Finalists will be notified in January whether or not they have been selected as a finalist, and finalists will be invited to participate in a personal interview. Interviews are conducted in February and March by local community leaders.
Daniels Scholars are announced in late March, and must attend our scholarship orientation conference in June (for which all expenses are paid by the Daniels Fund).
Application period: September 15 - October 15, 2023
Application period: September 15 - October 15, 2023.
