- About the Daniels Scholarship
- » Eligibility
- » Financial Need
- » Student Guide (PDF)
- » Student FAQs
- » College Choice Tips
- » Referral Agencies
- How Scholars are Selected
- » Selection Criteria
- » Application Process
- » Timeline
- Resources for Referral Agencies
- » Agency Guide (PDF)
- » Info Sessions
- » Financial Aid
- » Recommender FAQs
- » Nominator FAQs
- » Tips for Nomination
- Contact Us
- » Scholarship Staff
- » Contact Our Staff
Overview of the Daniels Scholarship Selection Process
Daniels Scholars gather for a summer workshop designed to help them succeed in college
Bill Daniels' Vision for the Daniels Scholarship
Bill Daniels had a passion for investing in deserving students to help them obtain a college education. He had an amazing ability for recognizing the potential in young people and often took promising students under his wing, providing mentoring and financial support for college.
The Daniels Scholarship carries on this legacy by offering scholarship funding to deserving students who are at risk of not being able to afford a college education. Since the program’s inception in 2000, more than 2,000 students have pursued their dream of a college education with the help of a Daniels Scholarship.
All candidates must show clear financial need, be nominated by an approved Daniels Fund Referral Agency and go through an application process where they are evaluated on strength of character, academic promise, leadership potential, potential to contribute to one’s community and well-rounded personality. Referral Agencies are high schools and youth serving organizations who have agreed to find and nominate eligible candidates who fit the Daniels Scholarship criteria.
Daniels Scholarship Student Guide
The Daniels Scholarship Student Guide may be downloaded and printed by clicking on the link below:
2011-2012 Daniels Scholarship Student Application Guide
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible to apply for a Daniels Scholarship, students must satisfy all of the following:
- Be nominated by a designated Referral Agency.
- Be a current resident of Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming.
- Be a current high school student in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming, with an expected graduation during the current academic school year.
- At the time of application, be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident of the U.S., or have refugee or asylum status in the U.S.
- Demonstrate financial need (see “What is Financial Need?”).
- Take the ACT by October 22, 2011 and achieve an exam composite score of 17 or higher, or take the SAT by October 1, 2011 and achieve a combined math and verbal score of 830 or higher.
What is Financial Need?
The Daniels Scholarship is a supplemental scholarship. As such, the Daniels Fund works in partnership with Daniels Scholars, their families, higher education institutions, and federal and state financial aid resources to help financially support students to achieve a four-year college degree.
One of the primary eligibility criteria for the Daniels Scholarship is financial need. The Daniels Fund determines financial need by evaluating a number of factors, including the applicants household income, family's assets and family size. However, the most important factor used to determine an applicant’s financial need is his or her family’s ability to pay toward the costs of college. This ability, often referred to as the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), is calculated and determined for the Daniels Fund by College Board, a nonprofit association with the mission of connecting students to college success and opportunity.
Determining Your Financial Eligibility
In general, a family of four, with one child in college, and a family income of up to $50,000 has a reasonable chance to be financially eligible for the Daniels Scholarship. Conversely, a family earning more than $75,000 is probably not financially eligible. While these are general rules, the Daniels Fund evaluates all applicants on an individual basis.
The Daniels Fund uses a College Board tool to determine an applicant’s financial eligibility for the Daniels Scholarship. In general, a family with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) between $0 and $5,500 is likely to be financially eligible for the Daniels Scholarship. However, the Daniels Fund reserves the right to examine a number of factors in making the final determination of an applicant’s financial eligibility. The Daniels Scholarship Program reviews its threshold for financial eligibility on an annual basis.
Back to top
College Board EFC Calculator
The College Board offers a calculator to assist families in determining their Estimated Family Contribution (EFC). Before applicants begin their Daniels Scholarship application, it is highly recommended that they, along with their parents, visit the website below to gain insight into their family’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) and likelihood of eligibility for the Daniels Scholarship.
Tips for using the College Board EFC Calculator:
- Have previous year tax returns available for parents and applicant (if applicable)
- Website navigation tools are at the bottom of each page
- When you come to the step prompting you to “Pick a Formula” select Institutional Methodology formula (IM)
- Completing the EFC Calculator should take approximately 15 minutes.
- Keep this information for your personal records – this is not something Daniels Fund will request from you.
- Should you need further guidance regarding financial eligibility for the Daniels Scholarship Program, please contact the Daniels Fund.
Click Here to Access the College Board EFC Calculator
Fast Facts About the Daniels Scholarship
- Daniels Scholarships may be used at any two- or four-year not-for-profit accredited college or university in the U.S. Students must intend to complete a bachelor’s degree.
- Daniels Scholarships are not full-ride. Instead they pay toward the unmet educational need of the student’s cost of attendance at college. The scholarship amount is determined after all other financial aid sources and an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) have been applied. Amounts may be different for each student and can change from year to year.
- Scholarships pay toward all or part of a student’s required college expenses (i.e., tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and miscellaneous educational expenses).
- Daniels Scholarships are renewed annually up to a maximum of four academic years (8 semesters or 12 quarters) if the recipient: 1) is making satisfactory academic progress as verified by college transcripts, and 2) complies with the terms and conditions of the scholarship, and 3) is of continuing good character and in good standing with the college.
- Daniels Scholars are required to work in paying jobs during the school year to continue receiving their scholarships. The minimum work requirement is 125 hours per academic year for the first year and 250 hours during all other years.
High Schools Interested in Serving as Referral Agencies
In order to expand access to the Daniels Scholarship for even more deserving students, high schools across the four-state region are invited to serve as Referral Agencies for the program. Interested high schools in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming must contact the Daniels Fund at ScholarSelection@DanielsFund.org to express their interest in becoming a Daniels Scholarship Referral Agency.
Contact Us
Thank you for your interest in the Daniels Scholarship program. For more information, use the contact form, or call 877-791-4726 (toll free).
