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.
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 2023 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 2023 tax return, we allow for $10,000 of additional income for each additional dependent.
On the 2023 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:
During the process, applicants will submit documents verifying eligibility including their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 2023 federal tax return, ACT/SAT scores, citizenship and residency documentation, proof of college enrollment for additional claimed dependent(s) and their FAFSA Submission Summary. We recommend that all students complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens for the 2025-2026 year.
The Daniels Scholarship, along with generous contributions from partner schools, covers the full cost of attendance (COA) at partner schools within Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.* A full list of partner schools is available here. Scholars that choose to attend a school outside our 4-state region 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
Daniels Scholars also receive a laptop computer and support before, during, and after college.
*$7,500 annually for schools within four-state region outside of partnership agreements.
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:
- 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.
- 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 16 and October 18, 2024 at 4:00 pm MT.
Applicants invited to participate in the Semi-Finalist phase will be asked to submit essay question responses and letters of recommendation between October 28 and November 15, 2024.
During the process, applicants will be required to submit documents verifying eligibility including their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) 2023 federal tax return, ACT/SAT scores, citizenship and residency documentation, proof of college enrollment for additional claimed dependent(s) and FAFSA Submission Summary. We recommend that all students complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens.
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 16 - October 18, 2024, 4:00 pm MT
The application period is now closed.
Application period: September 16 - October 18, 2024, 4:00 pm MT.
The application period is now closed.
