Elevations Foundation Scholarships
Scholarships for worthy students.
Elevations Foundation proudly supports scholarship initiatives for local graduating high school seniors in their pursuit of higher education. All Elevations Foundation scholarship recipients have a proven track record in academics and community engagement, but most importantly they have a financial need. This is a primary focus area of the Foundation that will continue in perpetuity.
Scholarship details:
You can apply online for Elevations Foundation's scholarships: the M.R. Hellie Memorial Scholarship, the Don E. Neuburger Memorial Scholarship and the Wm. C. “Bill” Sterner Memorial Scholarship.
Application cycle open from Jan. 1 to March 1, 2021
Recipients will be notified in April
Scholarship awards will be presented in May


Elevations Foundation has provided over $491,350 in scholarship funds since 2010.
M.R. HELLIE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
For Colorado high school seniors.
Who can apply: High school seniors attending an accredited Colorado high school who are applying for or have been accepted for admission to a college or university.
Award amounts: $500 to $5,000. The number and amount of scholarships awarded is based on the merit and need of the applicants.
Scholarship story: This scholarship was established in honor of M.R. Hellie, Elevations Credit Union’s President from 1964 to 1986. Through his vision and leadership, Mr. Hellie was instrumental in expanding Elevations Credit Union’s member services and furthering the national credit union movement.


DON E. NEUBURGER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
For Thompson School District’s high school seniors.
Who can apply: High school seniors attending an accredited high school in the Thompson School District.
Award amounts: $500 to $5,000.
Scholarship story: Established in 1988 by the Board of Directors of the Longs Peak Credit Union, this scholarship honors Don E. Neuburger. Mr. Neuburger served as Founder and CEO of Longs Peak Credit Union for 35 years. Mr. Neuburger, an electrical engineer by training, established the credit union in 1953 to serve the employees of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in northern Colorado.
WM. C. “BILL” STERNER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
For those headed to CU Boulder.
Who can apply: High school seniors attending an accredited Colorado high school who are applying for and planning to attend the University of Colorado Boulder.
Award amounts: $500 to $5,000.
Scholarship story: This scholarship is named in honor of Wm. C. “Bill” Sterner, Elevations Credit Union’s President and CEO from 2000 to 2008. Mr. Sterner epitomized the spirit of the credit union movement and was active in the movement at all levels: state and local as well as national and international. Mr. Sterner’s passion for credit unions was rooted in volunteerism, education and consumer advocacy.

Application materials for Elevations Foundation scholarships:
Why am I applying for an Elevations Foundation scholarship? Why do I want to go to college, and what influenced my decision?
We recommend identifying your personal interests and career goals, and provide information relevant to achieving them. This may include educational accomplishments, volunteerism, extracurricular activities or work experience.
Please provide email addresses for two people (other than family members) who can provide recommendations supporting your commitment to your goals.
Please provide a copy of your high school transcript in your application.
This document is issued after submission of the FAFSA application. It serves as a summary of the application, lists information you provided on your FAFSA and includes the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Download your report at FAFSA’s website(opens in a new window): Look under “FAFSA Follow-up” and select “Print your student aid report.” Do not include the entire FAFSA application; only submit the SAR.
Please note: We are unable to accept applications for DACA recipients at this time. Please see the Department of Education website(opens in a new window) and this document(opens in a new window) for more information.
If you have not yet received a letter of acceptance, obtain a letter from your counselor stating the name of the college or university and the date the application for admission was mailed.
Photos are for use in Elevations Foundation promotional materials and will not be shared with the review committee.
If you are selected to receive an Elevations Foundation scholarship, you will need to be a member of Elevations Credit Union if you are not already one. You may join after being notified of your award.
Scholarships from our partner organizations.
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER’S
Elevations Scholars
A partnership with the University of Colorado and Elevations Credit Union has resulted in Elevations Credit Union's commitment to $75,000 in direct scholarships annually. Elevations Foundation has established criteria and works directly with the Office of Financial Aid to select these scholars. Get started by completing a CU Boulder scholarship application.
MOUNTAIN WEST CREDIT UNION FOUNDATION’S
Brayman-Beach Scholarship
Presented by the Mountain West Credit Union Foundation, the Brayman-Beach Scholarship is named in honor of two visionary leaders in the credit union movement, Susan J. Brayman and Carroll D. Beach. One $5,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a member of a Colorado-based credit union who’s seeking a business degree from a four-year accredited institution.
EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF THE ST. VRAIN VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT’S
Rhonda Herrman Community Involvement Scholarship
This scholarship was established in honor of Rhonda Herrman, an employee of the St. Vrain Valley Credit Union who established the Community Involvement Committee as a way to give back to the communities that the credit union served. Two scholarships for $1,000 each are awarded to graduating high school seniors in the St. Vrain Valley School District who plan to enroll as a full-time student at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or trade school. Applicants are required to have at least 75 hours of volunteer or community service over the past 12 months and are also selected based on financial need.
POUDRE SCHOOL DISTRICT & ELEVATIONS FOUNDATION’S
AVID Scholarship
High school seniors in the Poudre School District who participate in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program are eligible to apply. The AVID program prepares students for college eligibility and success by developing writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading skills. Typically, students participating in elective AVID classes are the first in their families to attend college, and many are from low-income or minority families.
Scholarship applications will be available for eligible AVID students in the counseling center of their Poudre School District high school.

“I am so grateful that I took the time and made the effort because receiving the scholarship has been a huge blessing.” – Micah Hinson, 2018 scholarship recipient

ELEVATIONS FOUNDATION
Opportunities for a better community.
Elevations Foundation is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has provided over $1.5 million in community resources in the form of scholarships to graduating seniors for higher education, community grants to local nonprofit organizations and emergency assistance.

Foundation News
The latest from Elevations Foundation.
Want to learn more about the important work of Elevations Foundation? Visit our blog to read our latest Elevations Foundation Grantee Profiles, plus catch up on other Foundation news.