Local Change Scholarships
Scholarships for worthy students.
The Local Change Foundation proudly supports scholarship initiatives for local graduating high school seniors in their pursuit of higher education. All Local Change 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 Local Change that will continue in perpetuity.
Scholarship details:
You can apply online for the Local Change Foundation's scholarships:
Application cycle open from January 1 to March 1, 2025
Recipients will be notified in April
Scholarship awards will be presented in May
Local Change Foundation Scholarships
M.R. Hellie Memorial Scholarship
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
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 1952 to serve the employees of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in northern Colorado.
Wm. C. “Bill” Sterner Memorial Scholarship
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.
The Local Change Foundation Trade School Scholarship
Established in 2022, this scholarship recognizes the need for students to have alternatives to the 4-year college or university track. This scholarship has been created to assist those students seeking valuable experience and training in the trades.
The Bennett Family Trade School Scholarship
Established in 2022 by Ian Bennett and Jill McCarthy, this scholarship recognizes the need for students to have trade school training as an alternative to the 4-year college or university track. This scholarship has been created to assist those students seeking valuable experience and training in the trades.
The Buffs4Life 2nd Gen Scholarship
Since 2005, the Buffs4Life Foundation has been dedicated to honoring the memory of Anthony Weatherspoon “Spoon”, a former CU Boulder student-athlete, through a legacy of giving, partnership, and support to former University of Colorado athletes and their families. Established in 2023, Buffs4Life is available to the offspring of former athletic letter winners at the University of Colorado.
Popenhagen Community Service Scholarship
Service to a community is intrinsically rewarding and helps build and protect a thriving community. However, these professions often lack a strong economical reward; making student loans even more difficult to overcome. The Volentine Family Foundation is pleased to assist worthy applicants in reducing their possible student debt through the Popenhagen Community Service Scholarship.
The Rinehart Family Scholarship
Established in 2025 by the Rinehart Family, this scholarship provides financial assistance to deserving students who demonstrate academic promise but face economic barriers to higher education. Its goal is to promote access to learning opportunities, foster diverse talent, and support the next generation of leaders.
The Ronald Swarztrauber Scholarship
Established in 2025 by Suzanne Swarztrauber, this scholarship honors her son, Ronald Swarztrauber a Fairview High School graduate who was exceptional in academics and the arts. This scholarship provides financial assistance to outstanding students who demonstrate academic or artistic promise but face economic barriers to higher education.
Local Change Foundation Scholarships
| Name | Amount | Who can apply? |
|---|---|---|
| M.R. Hellie Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 to $5,000 | High school seniors attending an accredited Colorado high school who are applying for or have been accepted for admission to a college or university. |
| Don E. Neuburger Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 to $5,000 | High school seniors attending an accredited high school in the Thompson School District. |
| Wm. C. “Bill” Sterner Memorial Scholarship | $1,000 to $5,000 | High school seniors attending an accredited Colorado high school who are applying for and planning to attend the University of Colorado Boulder. |
| The Local Change Foundation Trade School Scholarship | $1,000 to $5,000 | High school seniors attending an accredited high school who are applying for or have been accepted for admission to an accredited trade school. |
| The Bennett Family Trade School Scholarship | $2,000 | High school seniors attending an accredited high school who are applying for or have been accepted for admission to an accredited trade school. |
| The Buffs4Life 2nd Gen Scholarship | $1,000 to $5,000 | High school seniors attending an accredited Colorado high school must be the offspring of former athletic letter winners at the University of Colorado. Preference will be given to applicants who are bettering their community, specifically in the environments of mental health and athletics. |
| Popenhagen Community Service Scholarship | $1,000 to $5,000 | High school seniors attending a public high school in the Thompson School District who are applying for or have been accepted for admission to an accredited 2 year or trade school program. |
| The Rinehart Family Scholarship | $2,000 | High school seniors attending an accredited Colorado high school who are applying for or have been accepted for admission to a college or university. |
| The Ronald Swarztrauber Scholarship | $5,000 | High school seniors graduating from Fairview High School who are applying for or have been accepted for admission to a college or university. Must have a minimum 3.5 GPA. |
"Thanks to the Local Change Foundation's financial support, I can pursue my higher education as a first-generation low-income student without any significant financial burden. Overall, I am genuinely honored to be counting on the support of an amazing community." - Osvaldo Garcia Barron, 2022 scholarship recipient
Application materials for Local Change Foundation scholarships:
Why am I applying for a Local Change 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.
The SAI should appear on your FAFSA confirmation page as well as your FAFSA Submission Summary.
Note Regarding DACA students: We are now accepting the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid(opens in a new window) (CASFA) in place of the FAFSA from students with DACA status.
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 the Local Change Foundation promotional materials and will not be shared with the review committee.
While becoming an Elevations Credit Union member is highly encouraged, it is not required to receive a Local Change Foundation scholarship.
The Local Change Foundation has provided $644,950 in scholarship funds since 2010.
Local Change Foundation Partner Scholarships
Peter Wayne Reicks Memorial Scholarship
Established in 2021 in honor of Pete Reicks, Elevations’ Chief Strategy & Performance Officer, the Peter Wayne Reicks Memorial Scholarship memorializes Pete’s passion for audacious excellence, eternal optimism, and the far-reaching impact he made as a champion of the Baldridge Performance Excellence Framework. Pete championed a culture of innovation, and his legacy of leadership epitomizes the Leeds mission to inspire and educate the next generation of business leaders.
Learn more about the Peter Wayne Reicks Memorial Scholarship(opens in a new window)
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.
Apply for the Rhonda Herrman Community Involvement Scholarship(opens in a new window)
Poudre School District 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.
Local Change Foundation Partner Scholarships
| Name | Amount | Who can apply? |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Wayne Reicks Memorial Scholarship | $5,000 | Students in their junior year at the Leeds School of Business who have elected the Operations Management track. Applications for this scholarship will be managed and selected by the Leeds School of Business. |
| Rhonda Herrman Community Involvement Scholarship | Two $1,000 scholarships | 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. |
| AVID Scholarship | $2,000 | High school seniors in the Poudre School District who participate in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program are eligible to apply. |
“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
LOCAL CHANGE FOUNDATION
Opportunities for a better community.
Local Change 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.
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